Snow-covered mountain tops, cozy cabins, and winter sports galore, the Catskills are truly magical this time of year. Whether you prefer watching the snow fall while sitting in front of a crackling fireplace with tasty Catskill cuisine or embarking on a blood-pumping ski or snowmobile adventure, the Catskills promise unforgettable frosty fun for all. What are you waiting for? Check out these cold weather activities and plan your winter wonderland getaway to the Catskills! Photo credit: @windhammountainclub on Instagram.   

Go walking through a winter wonderland

View of snowy grasslands leading to a view of the Catskill MountainsCredit: @hengarthfarm on Instagram

Step into snowy landscapes and inhale crisp mountain air as you hit the trails for a winter wonderland walk in the Catskills. In Haines Falls, popular summer spot North-South Lake Campground offers tranquil scenic beauty throughout a variety of trail levels for hiking and snowshoeing that will lead you to vistas like Catskill Mountain House ruins, Artist’s Rock, and more. The Catskill Scenic Trail in Stamford was once home to the rail lines that transported produce and timber from the Catskills to NYC and now comprises 26 miles of trails perfect for winter hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing. Revel in magical views of northern Catskills along the family-friendly, 1.5-mile Windham Path

Fly down snow-covered slopes

A skier races down a snowy slope with the Catskill Mountains in the backgroundCredit: @belleayre on Instagram

The Catskills’ snow-covered slopes offer some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the Northeast! Belleayre Mountain in Highmount has been a favorite since the 1940s, sporting 62 trails including glades and parks and a 3,429-foot summit perfect for a thrilling winter adventure. Dubbed as the “Alta of the Catskills” by Powder Magazine, family-owned and operated Plattekill Mountain promises fun for the whole family with 41 trails and 1,100-foot vertical for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. There’s something for every level of skier at Hunter Mountain with a 1,600-foot vertical drop, 13 lifts, and 67 trails of varying difficulty. World-class slopes can also be found at Windham Mountain Club with a 1,600 vertical, 285 skiable acres, and the largest adaptive snowsports program in the Northeast. 

Stroll through charming winter villages and towns

Nothing gets you into the winter spirit like a stroll through postcard-perfect villages! Bookworms should add Hobart Book Village to their must-visit list. This quaint Catskill town is home to seven bookshops selling rare and used books in all genres, plus other local boutiques and shops. An art lover’s paradise awaits in Woodstock, with local shops selling everything from gorgeous pottery to rugs to Food Network-famous cupcakes. For classic ski town vibes, head to Windham, often referred to as the “gem of the Catskills.” Explore specialty shops, local restaurants, and more all backdropped by one of the Catskills’ favorite ski mountains

Settle into cozy Catskills cabins

Exterior of a Lushna Cabin in the snow at Eastwind Hotel Oliverea ValleyCredit: @eastwindhotels on Instagram

Warm fireplaces, snowy mountainside views, and rustic elegance—that’s what you’ll get when you cozy up in a Catskill cabin this winter. Watch the snow fall from one of Eastwind Oliverea Valley’s Lushna cabins. Each of the secluded cabins are tucked away on a hillside and feature simple aesthetics and modern comforts like queen beds with white Frette linens. In addition to their serene Hunter lodge, Scribner's is also home to luxury cabins that give you a camping feel with decadent amenities like an oculus for stargazing, outdoor soaking tubs, and decks with 360-degree views. Embark on a luxe yet rustic retreat nestled along the Catskill foothills at Callicoon Hills. Lodging options are abundant and include bucolic A-Frames set amongst the forest, a creekside cottage that can sleep up to six, an original 1905 Boarding House with modern upgrades and more.  

Warm up with a bite at tasty restaurants 

A photo of a spread of food from Phoenicia Diner: a burger, toast with baked beans and sausage, french toast with strawberries, bacon, and coffeeCredit: @newyorksherpa on Instagram 

After a day of winter adventure, warm up with some classic Catskill dishes! Thaw out in front of the roaring fireplace at the Deer Mountain Inn dining room in Tannersville and indulge in local delights like smoked trout and corn fritters, crispy Ithaca soy tofu, a New York State cheese plate, and more. Revel in the savory flavors of Argentina at Woodstock’s Shelter. Gather by the crackling fireplace for a warm bowl of butternut squash soup with ginger and turmeric, homemade empanadas, or brick oven pizza. For more than 30 years, the Phoenicia Diner has been a Catskill staple serving up locally-sourced plates with a modern twist on classic diner fare. Try the locally-smoked trout on bagel, Catskills Po’boy, or fluffy vegan pancakes and you’ll see why this diner is a fan favorite.  

Unwind with a selfcare day at the spa

A hot tub with a mosaic of flowers in the backgroundCredit: @yo1catskillsny on Instagram

Relax, reflect, and unwind with a spa day among the peaceful beauty of the snowy Catskill Mountains. Plan a trip to the YO1 Wellness Center in Monticello, where guests rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit with personalized wellness programs, yoga sessions, and Ayurvedic therapies, plus access to state-of-the-art facilities that include a steam shower, sauna, indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and more. Surrounded by majestic mountains and rushing waters in Mount Tremper, the Emerson Resort & Spa showcases an indulgent menu of treatments inspired by the earth’s elements and the tranquility of the Catskills. The Hemlock Spa at Kenoza Hall boasts a unique brand of “earthy luxury” with an emphasis on wellness with spa treatments rooted in naturopathy and hydrotherapy. Your visit also includes access to sensory and walking paths, artfully-designed gardens, an outdoor barrel sauna, and hot tub. 

Explore the Catskills’ craft beverage scene

A pint of beer stands on a snow-covered table with mountains at the background at West Kill BrewingCredit: @westkillbrewing on Instagram

Sip back, relax, and raise a glass along a craft beverage tour of the Catskills. Check out the Catskill Brewery’s LEED-certified taproom and beer garden in Livingston Manor with favorites like FF Blueberry Raspberry Sour Ale, Devil’s Path Hazy IPA, and tropical lager all on tap. West Kill Brewing, located on a 127-acre historic dairy farm, uses locally-grown and foraged ingredients to make their crisp balanced lagers, funky ales, and heavily hopped IPAs. Awestruck Ciders in Sidney is sure to leave you awe-inspired with a lineup that includes dry apple oak, lavender, and hibiscus ginger cider. Featured on the Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners: Master Distiller, Union Grove Distillery in Arkville is a farm licensed craft distillery, offering cocktails made with their vodka, gin, whiskey, or maple spirit. 

Slide into winter with snow tubing

A smiling child slides down a hill in a blue tube at Windham MountainCredit: @windhammountainclub on Instagram   

Skiing or snowboarding not your thing? Snow tubing promises winter fun for the whole family! On top of their world-class ski scene, Windham Mountain offers thrilling slides and a magic carpet lift to bring you back to the top. Plus, you can even go night tubing under the lights. In Monticello, you can go snow tubing on Holiday Mountain’s four tubing slopes for $25/person on the weekends. At Bearpen Mountain in Prattsville, fly down one of the longest snow tubing runs in the state!

Snowmobile through snowy forests

Zoom along snow-covered trails on a snowmobile adventure! The Willowemoc Wild Forest spread through Ulster and Sullivan County is home to one of the most expansive snowmobile systems in the Catskills with 29 miles of marked trails. Traverse through the snowy western Catskills along the 28 miles of snowmobile trails found in the Delaware Wild Forest. Nearly 3,000 acres of wintry terrain awaits on the trails found throughout the Arctic-China State Forest in Delaware County. 

Listen to live music and watch performances

Orange strobe lights shine out into the crowd at a Bearsville Theater ConcertCredit: @bahramforoughi on Instagram

What better way to warm up in the winter than with an electric performance? There’s always something exciting happening in Woodstock at the Bearsville Theater or Woodstock Playhouse. Catch all kinds of performances ranging from well-known musicians to theater productions to film debuts. Nestled in Barryville, relax with a cocktail at Black Velvet Lounge and experience a vibrant live music scene showcasing local and touring up-and-coming artists. 

Reel in winter fun with ice fishing

Whether you’re an experienced angler or just want to try something new, ice fishing offers all kinds of winter fun! Bundle up and get out on the ice, where you may encounter certain species only seen in the winter like Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Atlantic Salmon, Walleye, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, and Black Crappie. Surround yourself with the tranquil beauty of the Catskills and head out to top ice fishing spots like the Big Pond in Andes, Bashakill Marsh in Wurtsboro, or Colgate Lake in Jewett.


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