If you’re looking to experience the magic of winter in the Catskills, look no further than Hunter. This picture-perfect ski town offers everything you’d want in a winter escape: snow-dusted main streets, cozy lodges with crackling fireplaces, and a mountain known for having some of the most reliable ski conditions in the East. Whether you’re chasing high-flying adventure or craving a relaxing mountain retreat, this Catskills town has it all and more. Read on for your guide to the perfect winter weekend in Hunter.

FRIDAY

3PM: Check into your cozy lodging

Immerse yourself in ski town vibes and settle into one of Hunter’s cozy lodges for the weekend. Enjoy a blend of country inn ambiance and small-hotel hospitality at Hunter Lodge, a Bluebird by Lark (pictured), home to 45 rooms and suites with private baths and just a three-minute drive from Hunter Mountain. Located on 20 mountainside acres, Scribner’s Catskill Lodge also makes for a great homebase with roaring fireplaces, alpine-inspired design, balcony rooms, and a restaurant serving local cuisine. If you’re looking to stay in the center of all the action, stay at Hunter Mountain’s slopeside resort, The Kaatskill Mountain Club, which features a jacuzzi, hot tub, heated pool, sauna, fitness center, on-site restaurant, and magnificent mountain views.

5PM: Go ice skating at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge

Credit: @scribnerslodge on Instagram

After dropping off your bags, lace up your skates for outdoor winter fun at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge! Open to hotel guests and the public, make winter memories surrounded by stunning views of the Catskill Mountains on the “Glice” rink, an eco-friendly ice rink that mimics the look and feel of real ice. Open on Fridays from 11am-7pm, admission is $10 and includes an hour skate session and rentals.

6:30PM: Dinner at Prospect at Scribner’s

Credit: Nicole Frazen

Once you’re done skating, grab a bite to eat right on property at Prospect at Scribner’s. Indulge in creative New American fare with a focus on local purveyors from the dining room, complete with floor-to ceiling windows showing off the breathtaking mountain views. Menu highlights include Magret duck breast, butternut squash risotto, and matcha mousse for dessert. Bundle up and end the day with a night cap from one of the fire pits out on the back patio. 

SATURDAY

8AM: Breakfast at Fellow Mountain Cafe

Rise and shine! Start your day with Fellow Mountain Cafe for a delicious breakfast made from locally-sourced ingredients. You’ll want to arrive early to snag one of the cafe’s famous cinnamon rolls before they sell out, and be sure to check out other popular menu items like breakfast sandwiches, apple cinnamon coffee cake, and housemade sourdough.

10AM: Winter thrills and chills at Hunter Mountain

Credit: @scottallengetsaround on Instagram

After fueling up for the day, it’s time to hit the slopes! Hunter Mountain is known for having some of the most reliable ski conditions in the East and an impressive 1,600-foot vertical drop, making it a skier’s dreamland. If you’re new to skiing, the mountain is home to a state-of-the-art learning center, and 25% of the 67 trails are marked as easy. For experienced skiers, 45% of trails are black diamonds or double black diamonds and there are four terrain parks for freestyling. 

Skiing not your thing? You can still get in on the winter fun! Hunter Mountain’s snow tubing hill is one of the longest in the state at nearly 1,000 feet long, offering thrills for adventurers of all ages. Plus, it features its very own surface lift that makes getting back to the top a breeze. 

1PM: Grab lunch slopeside

Warm up and grab a bite to eat from a variety of mountainside dining options ranging from grab-and-go counters to full service restaurants. Main Bar is the place to be if you’re looking for apres-ski vibes with draft beer, craft cocktails, and comfort food, or try Coppertree for Ramen bowls and mountain views. 

2:30PM: Shop and stroll Hunter and Tannersville

Soak up ski town vibes on a stroll through the Hunter and Tannersville area, where you’ll find local shops, tasty restaurants, and a robust antiques scene. Bones & Stones houses all things unique and unusual like custom jewelry, stone carvings, light fixtures, taxidermy, and more. Antique enthusiasts and casual shoppers alike should make Tannersville Antiques & Artisan Center a must-stop, featuring more than 20 antique dealers. If you’re looking for gourmet cheese, a bite to eat, and antiques all in one place, look no further than Last Chance Antiques & Cheese Cafe, home to an inviting, eclectic space decorated with hanging music instruments and antiques. 

5PM: Dinner at Hunter Mountain Brewery

Credit: @gourmay_eats on Instagram

Indulge in apres-ski vibes for dinner at Hunter Mountain Brewery. Choose from 15 taps of craft beer, featuring everything from seasonal ales to lagers, to pair with their unique pub-style menu with dishes like pasta, meatloaf, shepherd’s pie, and Indian cuisine. Be sure to grab a seat near the fireplace for the ultimate cozy evening.

7PM: Catch a show at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Wrap up an adventure-filled day with a live performance at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center. Designed by popular theater architect, Hugh Hardy, the gorgeous venue has hosted a variety of performances, including the New York City Ballet, Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra, and Cecile Mclorin Salvant. Check out this winter’s schedule featuring shows like The Holiday Spectacular (December 19), The Hound of the Baskervilles (January 17-18), Malpaso Dance (February 7), and Million Dollar Reunion (February 15).

SUNDAY

9AM: Breakfast at Shandaken Bake

Start your morning at Shandaken Bake! This popular bakery is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with breakfast treats like chocolate banana bread, cookies, pastries, and biscuits. 

11AM: Snowshoe to mountain views

Credit: @hengarthfarm on Instagram

If you’re up for one more winter adventure, snowshoeing in Hunter is a must. Gear up at local rental spots like Snowbird Ski Shop, where you can pick up snowshoes and boots before heading out onto the trails. You’ll want to check out the Mountain Top Arboretum in Tannersville, an outdoor oasis, home to 200 acres of natural beauty. Try the Arboretum’s Woodland Walk, an easy path that leads you through the serene, snow-covered forest. For even more mountain views, the 1.5-mile Windham Path (pictured) is perfect for beginners and families, with mostly flat terrain and open vistas showcasing some of the best panoramic winter views in the area.

GETTING THERE

By plane:

By bus:

• OvRride Bus Trips from NYC: This winter, Hunter Mountain is partnering with OvRride, offering bus trips from NYC to Hunter Mountain. The bus makes three stops in the city: downtown Brooklyn, Union Square, and the Upper West Side. Visit the OvRride website for the full schedule and booking information. 

By train:

By car:

• From Albany: 1 hour

• From NYC: 2 hours, 30 minutes

• From Philadelphia: 3 hours, 30 minutes

• From Boston: 3 hours, 30 minutes.