Plattekill Mountain

Plattekill Mountain is located high in the western Catskill Mountains surrounded by farmland and forest. Plattekill is the anti-resort without hotels, slopeside accommodations or high speed lifts. But you do get the deepest snows in the Catskills and a trail map with a steep, continuous 1100’ vertical drop, serviced by two chairlifts and a magic carpet that provide skiing on 38 trails.

The mountain skis big, yet retains an old school, wholesome feel providing a pure, unadulterated ski experience. There are few if any lift lines, trails are uncrowded and the snow surface rarely gets skied off. Every trail leads to the one base area, which is great for families with younger children.

The mountain has two peaks, one serviced by a Hall double chair, the other by a Hall triple. The view from the base of the mountain can feel intimidating to novices — it’s dominated by Plattekill’s expert terrain, including Blockbuster, Freefall, Plunge and Northface, which are some of the steepest runs in the Catskills.

However, there is a significant amount of terrain suitable for both novices and intermediates. Many classic, natural snow trails, like Ridge, Twist, Bail-out and Overlook wind their way down following the contours of the mountain. These trails offer a glimpse back to the way skiing used to be. In addition, the two-mile long Powder Puff trail from the top of the triple chair is the perfect trail to introduce new skiers and riders to the entire mountain. Plattekill also has a learning center located at the base area, which is serviced by its own magic carpet lift. This provides beginners their own slope without more advanced skiers. The mountain also offers a separate tubing area and lift that gives skiers and non-skiers alike additional outdoor fun.

The base lodge is friendly and warm with natural timber beams. There is always a place to sit, change and eat even on “busy” weekends. The lodge has a ski shop, equipment rental center, a full service cafeteria and a bar with grilled pub food located on the third floor overlooking the slopes.

Plattekill is family owned and managed and expands its snowmaking capabilities each year, through the acquisition of fan guns, compressors and grooming machines. There is also a continuing project that will largely expand the snowmaking pond located in the saddle between the mountains’ two peaks.

In addition to being known as a serious skier’s mountain, Plattekill has a reputation as one of the Northeast’s mountain biking meccas. It was one of the first mountains to offer lift serviced mountain biking in the east and has been doing so for nearly twenty years. It is host to sanctioned mountain biking races throughout the warmer months. Plattekill is an undiscovered gem that offers something for everyone in a sport that has become more and more homogenized.

To see our coverage, check out our Plattekill Blog.

by Marcski

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