Fall Comes First to the Great Western Catskills

Labor Day weekend has tell-tale signs of fall on the mountains with isolated trees turning to their fall burgundy or deep orange colors. Cool evenings and recent rains are setting the stage for a spectacular fall foliage season. In New York State the leaves turn first up in the northern part of the Adirondack State Park, and here on the western slopes of the Catskill Park. Altitudes of 2-3000 feet and cool evenings bring on the Fall foliage season first. As the leaves turn throughout September, hikers, mountain bikers, fly-fishing fans and kayakers get their last outings during the warm days amongst the changing landscape. Farmers markets are jam packed with folks bringing home the harvest. Farm tours, workshops, and more delight locavores.

Fall pops into high gear by the last weekend of September, showing a gorgeous array of scarlet, burgundy and pumpkin mixing in to the mountainside greens. The weekend of September 24th and 25th kicks off the fall celebrations. Delhi’s Harvest Festival on Saturday showcases area crafters and music. Just down the road is a quilting workshop at the historical society. And all weekend long, Plattekill Mountain is hosting their first ever Antique Show. You’ll be able to bid on of the finest things from a bygone era by a variety of dealers. For extra fun you’ll be able to ride the chairlift and enjoy the magnificent Catskill Mountain fall foliage views. And you won’t go hungry - the full cafeteria will be open for faster appetites & a restaurant with a bar for the more refined. And there will be local musicians to entertain guests all weekend.

October is sure to please everyone looking to feast their eyes on the best fall colors – the first two weekends including Columbus weekend are resplendent in orange and gold. This coincides with the annual Lark in the Park – ten days of guided hikes and workshops in and around the Catskill Park, October 1st-10th. Easy hikes, difficult hikes, fire tower treks, kayaking and woodlands workshops will be occurring mid week and on the weekends, hosted by avid outdoors people sharing their skill and passion for the Catskill Mountains. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that the Catskill Park is here. There is no main gate to enter through and the Park itself is a collection of public and private lands. Spearheaded by the Catskill Center and the Catskill Mountain Club, this year’s choices range from easy to moderately difficult hikes – many to fire towers in the Park, bike rides, kayak or canoe paddles, and forestry workshops. As more volunteers create great events they’ll appear on the event website: www.catskillslark.org. This is a great opportunity to learn more about mother natures playground.

Columbus weekend brings the second annual Taste of the Catskills to Delhi. A joint venture lead by Quarter Moon Café and hosted on the grounds of Maple Shade Farm – this Columbus weekend event is sure to please adults and kids alike. www.tasteofthecatskills.com is the website to find out more. The area’s most talented musicians will provide entertainment all weekend. There will be lots of kid’s activities each day. Children will be able to meet the Dairy Princess and enjoy the 4-H fair. On both days children can visit the pick-a-pumpkin patch, navigate the corn maze, and pet farm animals. There will be live children’s music each day at noon.


Great Western Catskills Tourism
The Great Western Catskills is an easy weekend get-away destination for travelers – just 3 hours from the New York City metro area. To learn about great outdoor resources, Stay-and-Play Packages or camping in the western Catskills, log on to: www.greatwesterncatskills.com. For free brochures on kayaking, antiquing, public fishing access map and other literature, call toll-free: (866) 775-4425 or e-mail: info@greatwesterncatskills.com. For a bounty of great events in the area visit www.delawarecountytoday.com.

Hiking is a Zen Experience In The Great Western Catskills

New York State’s Great Western Catskills in Delaware County have long been a place for those who love to get away to the beauty and quiet of the mountains. With summer in high gear, it’s time for hiking, and camping in and around the mountains and rivers of the western Catskill Mountains.
Hiking in the Catskills really is one of the best kept secrets of the region.

Most travelers consider the Catskills home of the borscht belt resorts of decades gone by. Ignore this label if you are an outdoor adventurer. The ability to trek almost completely alone, through pristine forests, passing breathtaking vistas, traversing mountains creeks, amongst the wild forest animals and plants – finding your own special mountain peace, will make you a true believer in the zen to be found in the mountains.

Catskill Forest Preserve
In 1885 a law was passed by the NY State Congress which established the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve. From the beginning this land was protected by the State constitution as ‘Forever Wild’ land, never to be subjected to development or extraction of natural resources. In 1904 the Catskill Park was designated, which established a boundary, or ‘blue line’, around the Forest Preserve, and private land as well. Over the years the Forest Preserve and the Catskill Park grew, with the Catskill Park now comprising approximately 700,000 acres, about half of which is public Forest Preserve.

Hiking opportunities abound in the Catskill Park. There are approximately 300 miles of marked, maintained hiking trails on public Forest Preserve land. Stewardship and development of these trails is shared by the New York State Forest Rangers and local chapters of hiking clubs such as the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference and the Catskill Mountain Club (www.catskillmountainclub.org).

The favorite local park trail is the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest Area and it’s Dry Brook Ridge Trail. Located in the southwest corner of the Catskill Park, Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest contains more than 13,500 acres of "forever wild" Forest Preserve. With an extensive trail network to several ponds, this wild forest is ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, backpacking, canoeing and cross-country skiing. The Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest can be accessed from the Village of Margaretville along State Hwy 28, or from parking areas along Dry Brook Rd to Millbrook Road.

The terrain is a combination of high mountain ridges, steep sided valleys, numerous brooks and ponds, with elevations ranging from a low of 1,740 feet along Mill Brook to a high of 3,723 feet at the summit of Balsam Lake Mountain.

Catskill Scenic Trail
The Catskill Scenic Trail lies on top of the former rail bed of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad. The 26 mile Rails to Trails project offers a hard-packed surface that makes it perfect for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. The Trail's very gentle grade is a unique feature, with only a four hundred foot change in elevation over the entire 26 miles. The young and the young-at-heart will find this an easy trek through some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.
The trail can be accessed at several points between Bloomville on State Hwy 10 to South Kortright. Moving on to Stamford, the trail turns east, mirroring State Highway 23 to Grand Gorge and then south along State Highway 30 to Roxbury. Look for the small parking areas and blue and gold "CST" signs.

The Trail is owned and maintained by the Catskill Revitalization Corporation, a not-for-profit organization. For more information on the Catskill Scenic Trail visit www.catskillscenictrail.org. For a FREE trail map call 866-775-4425.

Headwaters Trail System
Headwaters Trails are a mix of over 30 miles of public and private trails and focus on the Bald Mountain Recreational Area. Headwaters Trails is actually 30 miles of trail, with linkage to the Catskill Scenic Trail, which adds another 26-1/2 miles of trail. Most of Headwaters Trails is on privately-owned land that allows public access – so please be respectful of the land and the generosity of the owners. They are enjoyed mostly for hiking, mountain biking and snowmobiling. Horseback riding is also a popular use of the trails, as is snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Best access to Headwaters Trails is off Murphy Road along Route 23 east of the village of Stamford, or on the Catskill Scenic Trail off Crestline Drive going south on Route 10 out of the village. There is parking along the street and at the mouth of the farm road. The best three accesses to Headwaters Trails’ Bald Mt Rec area in general are, in order, 1) Archibald Field (Route 10 north out of the village across from NYSDEC) 2) The Belvedere parking lot (Prospect Street) in the village, and, 3) Blazer and Travis Ponds both have excellent and direct access to Headwaters Trails, as well as parking.

Emmons Pond Bog
The history of the pond and bog date back 11,000 years when the retreat of the last glacier left a depression which was soon filled with water. Sphagnum moss and other bog plants grew in the shallow water around the edge of the pond. Plant materials broke down slowly because of the acidity and low temperature of the water. As a result, the plant materials accumulated to form a floating doughnut-shaped mat around the pond. Beavers dammed the outlet stream in the late 1970s, so the bog mat is now ringed with water.

The striking and somber view of the pond and bog includes the Sphagnum moss and special plants that can survive the acidic environment (such as leatherleaf, buckbean, cottongrass, pitcher plant, and sheep laurel). Wildlife includes blackbirds and frogs.

North of the pond, the trail passes through mature woods where you will see old stone walls and a majestic oak tree. West of the pond, the trail passes a smaller pond--a good location for bird watching. The trail is easy and is marked with orange markers and is 1.4 mi long, circles the pond in a counter-clockwise direction.

The site is situation in the Town of Davenport about 4 miles southeast of Oneonta. From the Exit 15 ramp off I-88, turn left toward Rte. 28 South, then right on 28 South. In 0.7 mi, at the first traffic light, turn hard left onto Southside Drive. Continue 2.7 miles on Swart Hollow, then left on White Hill Road. The preserve entrance, which is well-marked, is on the left in 1 mile.


Camping
Both primitive and amenity camping opportunities abound in the Catskills. Primitive camping is allowed in the Wilderness and Wild Forest areas of the Catskill Forest Preserve, so long as you follow certain guidelines designed to protect sensitive summit forest communities and water quality of the streams. Wilderness camping rules include not camping within 150ft of a trail, stream, or pond, and not above 3500ft elevation except in winter.

Three-sided, roofed ‘lean-to’ shelters have been constructed on several Catskill backwoods trails. The NYSDEC maintains seven public campgrounds in the Forest Preserve; North/South Lake, Devils Tombstone, Kenneth Wilson, Woodland Valley, Mongaup Pond, and Little Pond. These campgrounds have tent and trailer sites, restroom facilities, and other amenities varying by location. For more information regarding Forest Preserve Camping opportunities, contact the DEC Region 4 at (607) 652-7364.
To obtain a free copy of maps for state lands, contact the NYSDEC Region 4 office at 607.652.7365. New York/New Jersey Trail Conference hiking maps of the Catskills can be ordered by visiting their website at www.nynjtc.org. Check out our new blog on hiking at http://hikinginthecatskills.blogspot.com


Great Western Catskills Tourism
The Great Western Catskills is an easy day trip from New York City metro area, Albany, or Binghamton and a great weekend getaway or vacation destination for all. To learn more about outdoor resources, Stay-and-Play Packages or any other activities in the western Catskills, log on to: www.greatwesterncatskills.com. Call toll-free: (866) 775-4425 for a FREE copy of our guide to Recreation and Cultural Attractions. Any time of year, come visit the Great Western Catskills of Delaware County and “Let the magic of our mountains move you.”

The Great Western Catskills Offer Weekends Packed With Fun. Hike! Fish! Pedal! Paddle!

Every one is raring to get outside now that spring is officially here. The trees are budding out into a thousand shades of green and dressing up the mountains with their finery. Mother Natures Playground is what we’re often called. But if your sidekick wants to chill out - we’re known for that too. Check out our website www.greatwesterncatskills.com for more packages like 5 course tasting dinners, farmer for a day stays, raw food workshops, or plain old good discounts when you stay longer.


Waterways and Mountain Trails Lure Travelers

I Like To HIKE! What kinda hike do ya like? A steep incline up to an amazing view? A lush nature walk full of flora and fauna? A tranquil jaunt around a lake? A trek to a cleansing waterfall? The Roxbury’s package includes: maps and a planned itinerary for a fantasmagorical hike based on your enthusiasm for exertion; a cool Roxbury tote bag stuffed with a bottle of fine Bordeaux, some trail mix and power bars for extra energy; your choice of picnic fixings – deli sandwiches, cheese variety; complimentary two-day passes to the glimmering Shimmer Spa; and our extremely popular two-hour couples massage. This package offers a 10% discount off of their published room rates when you purchase the whole package! Package price starts at $553 for a two-night, high-season weekend studio room. Even less if you go for midweek! Additional items like a romantic tasting menu dinner for two at the scrumptious Peekamoose Restaurant can be added for an additional cost. Check availability online at www.theroxburymotel.com or call 607-326-7200!

I Like To FISH! Margaretville Motel, located next to the East Branch of the Delaware River, one of upstate NY’s best trout fishing streams, is providing lodging and continental breakfast for Fishing Season for $49.50 single and $59.50 double per night. With highly successful fishing spots right across the road, sporting goods store in town where you can obtain a fishing license and bait, this will be a breeze to get out on the water and cast away! Margaretville Village shops and restaurants are just a short stroll away. You can take the Trailways Bus from anywhere in their service area and get off the bus at the front door of the Margaretville Motel - you won’t even need a car. Call to make a reservation 845-586-4464 or visit www.margaretvillemotel.com for more info and photos of rooms. Available Sunday - Thursday night stays Non Holidays until June 23, 2011.

I Like To BIKE! Here’s your chance to rouse your adventurous spirit and test your metal (what does that even mean?) during a two day adventure in the Catskills! Your wild weekend adventure will include two nights stay in one of The Roxbury’s award-winning rooms with amenities galore, passes to the Shimmer Spa where you can steam or soak freshly challenged muscles, receive a delicious, deep tissue massage treatment, and a round of libations at Public Lounge right next door. And then there’s the biking! Whether this is your first trip to the Mountain or the first trip in a long time, the folks at Plattekill are ready to help push you to new levels!! For those getting their first taste of the sport of mountain biking, the mountain offers over 60 miles of trails from which to choose. For the more advanced, Plattekill’s steep chutes and big drops are par for the course and have been known to give some of the world's best riders a run for their money. This package includes all the biking gear you’ll need, lift passes, a personal, one-on-one 2 hour guided tour on the trails (either downhill or cross country), and, of course, the bike! Cowabunga!! Package starts at $674 for a two-night high season weekend in a studio room. Check availability online at www.theroxburymotel.com or call 607-326-7200!

I Like To PADDLE! There’s no better way to experience the natural beauty and serenity of the Susquehanna River combined with the valley views of the foothills of the Catskill Mountains than gliding along in your own canoe or kayak. Rent for a half day or be really adventurous and book a full day trip with a guide. Seeing bald eagles nesting along the river is a great experience. Fishing gear and bait can be added to enhance the experience. Harmony Hill Retreat is a nature preserve unto itself with 70 acres to hike and a meditative stone path labyrinth to walk. Known for their two tree house yurts – the Hill provides a true back to nature experience. If you need something larger, consider renting the Chalet. Visit their website www.harmonyhillretreat.com for this package or choose for others that celebrate your living life large. Call 607-278-6609 to discuss other services such as Reiki work. Yurt and Kayak packages start at $340 for a two night weekend stay for two with rentals.

Learn more about the Western Catskills
Just three hours from Manhattan, an hour south of Cooperstown, the western Catskills makes for a great weekend getaway. For more information on great things to do when you’re here, visit www.greatwesterncatskills.com. For information on local events, visit www.delawarecountytoday.com. For a free fishing map or art gallery and antique dealer directory, call 866-775-4425.

Get Hooked On Fishing in the Great Western Catskills

New York State's trout season opens April 1 and for a growing number of fishermen, the lure of the Great Western Catskills makes Delaware County the place to be for this rite of spring.

Natural area trout streams, which eventually flow to the Delaware River, provide freestone stream fishing. These rivers combine with the Pepacton and Cannonsville Reservoirs to total 11,000 acres of water habitat. Constant reservoir releases of cool, clear waters have enhanced the West Branch and East Branch to create unique tailwater fishing. Optimal year-round trout conditions ensure the serious angler and the adventurous visitor the most challenging and demanding fly-fishing in the Northeast.

The Beaverkill, the East and West Branches of the Delaware River, the Willowemoc and the Bushkill are among the renowned trout waters that flow through Delaware County. The "Birthplace of Fly Fishing" has been popular among anglers for more than a century and each year Catskill rivers and streams attract new legions of fishermen.

While fishing in the region is great in every season (including ice fishing in winter!) the thrill of early season angling is unsurpassed. The sights, sounds, smells and of course the hatches of April and May converge to make Catskill Mountain fishing an unforgettable experience.

The easiest way to gather information about fishing in the Great Western Catskills is to contact the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, which offers a full-color fishing guide/map with public access points. The fishing guide may be ordered free of charge by contacting the Delaware County Tourism office at 866-775-4425, or by e-mail: info@greatwesterncatskills.com. Website visitors are welcome to sign up for e-mail updates at www.greatwesterncatskills.com.

For those in search of "trophy trout" the Pepacton and Cannonsville reservoirs present great spots to "land the big one." Fishermen on these waters will want to pack a camera, too. When their respective seasons open, trophy brown trout, smallmouth bass and pickerel, are among the species that challenge sporting enthusiasts on these waters. Fishing the reservoirs is truly a treat, especially if you live in the City and use some of the 1 billion gallons of water that are sent from the system each day. The New York City DEP, which oversees these waters, has made it easy to get fishing permits for the reservoirs by placing it online. Go to www.nyc.gov and search for Watershed Recreation. Regular DEC fishing permits are easy to get at almost any local sports stores.

Seasoned fishermen recognize that the way to "live large" while seeking the big one is to rent a private cabin with all the comforts of home - and great fishing just minutes away.
From Downsville down to Hancock and Deposit, camping, affordable motels, and cabin rentals abound. Fish beneath the historic covered bridge in Downsville where lodging options range from on river Pepacton Cabins (www.pepactoncabins.com), the classy Yellow House B&B (www.yellowhouseny.com), private house rentals like A Frame on the River at A House Around The Bend (www.ahousearoundthebend.com), or the always affordable Downsville Motel (www.downsvillemotel.com) - a favorites among anglers. The conveniently located Al's Sports Store in Downsville (www.alssportstore.com) supplies everything an angler needs - from gear to a private river guide. When fishing time is over, the Old Schoolhouse Restaurant (www.oldschoolhouseinn.com) is a great place to dine and spin some fishing yarns.

For fishermen visiting the Hancock area (where the East and West Branches of the Delaware River converge), a full service resort such as the West Branch Angler (www.westbranchresort.com) is a great place to stay. The resort comes complete with a restaurant, an Orvis store, and knowledgeable river guides on staff. Bass Cabins (www.golfandxski.com) is nearby too and let's you (or the spouse) combine fishing with a love of golf at their French Woods Golf Course. Hancock boasts a fine new hotel, great motels and B&B's both in and outside the village. After an exhilarating day on the water, anglers will enjoy telling fishing tales at the new Bluestone Grill (www.bluestonegrill.com). This casual eatery serves lunch and dinner, topped off by a popular list of homemade desserts.

For those visiting the Deposit area and the lower edge of the Cannonsville Reservoir, lodging options include the Deposit Motel, the new Eagle Valley Cabins (www.evcabins.com) or private home rentals, such as Dream Catcher Lodge (www.dreamcatcherlodgeny.com) with one mile of river front access.
But landing trophy fish is only part of the experience. The Catskill Mountains have a special appeal that makes "just being here" a large part of the attraction - catching fish is a special bonus.

To learn more about fishing in the western Catskills and the Upper Delaware River region, or finding the right campground or lodging host to stay with, log on to: www.greatwesterncatskills.com.
When it's time to fish, visit the Great Western Catskills of Delaware County and "Let the magic of our mountains move you."

Breathtaking Venues for Weddings Found in the Great Western Catskills

Many a bride and groom have set themselves against the backdrop of the spectacular mountain vistas, open river valleys, and bucolic farmland of the western Catskills, to the delight of their family and guests.  Weddings here offer the perfect outdoor setting at an affordable price while giving guests the opportunity to feel like they’re on a mini-vacation with so much to do before and after the main event.

Wedding season in the mountains runs from mid-June through the mid-October. Choosing the season is highly personal. Early summers is resplendent with brilliant hues of green as the trees leaf out and as the hayfields green up, while perennial flower beds and fruit trees can be found flowering everywhere.  Summer’s warmth, evenings with shooting stars, and tables set with wildflowers appeal to many. Probably the most popular time, though, is fall with the sugar maples turning a kaleidoscope of colors from gold, to chartreuse, to pumpkin, to burgundy and bronze.  A few intrepid souls do choose a winter theme – a wedding that probably has guests riding a chair lift, skiing down a mountain, and dining fireside as part of the festivities. 

Many weddings are held here because couples are looking for more affordable options where they can do much of the planning themselves.  Do-It-Yourself weddings are intimate and fun and offer plenty of opportunity for personalization and savings.  Imagine: Rehearsal dinner hosted on the vintage train ride.  The bride arriving by horse drawn buggy or vintage car.  Ceremony next to a restored farmhouse out on the lawn.  Wedding reception in the old barn or under a tent, maybe even pondside. Local fiddlers tapping out atune.  A huge bonfire in a field maybe.  And starry, starry skies for sure.

Another aspect much appreciated by the happy couple and their guests are the great locavore food resources.  Creating the perfect menu featuring locally raised meats, cheese, and veggies is easy.  Plan for a pig roast, chicken BBQ if your wedding is more casual.  Local goat and sheep farm supply cheese, yogurt and organic milk to whip up delightful appetizers or desserts.  Grass fed beef, pork and poultry farms provide delectable main dishes – remember to work far enough in advance to place your order.  Organic vegetable farms provide everything from micro-greens to heirloom tomatoes to a bounty of root vegetables and squashes – as well as perennial flowers for the tables.

If you want a little help with the planning, wedding support services are growing in number. The quirks of hosting a wedding high up in the mountains is made easy when local planners know all the ins and outs to ensure everyone has the best time possible. Two local companies – Catskill Weddings www.catskillweddings.com, as well as Celebration Creations www.celebration-creations.net -- offer their skills and insider knowledge to help the happy couples out.

Most area lodging has a two night minimum, so wedding guests become vacationers as well. But they’ll never be at a loss for things to do or places to relax. Guests often amuse themselves with golf, fly fishing, biking on a rail trail or down a ski trail, horseback riding, kayaking, yoga, antiquing or simply lounging on the porch or next to a river or pond. 

Great Western Catskills Tourism

The Great Western Catskills is a three hour drive from New York City metro area, and a great central location for guests coming from eastern Ohio, to Maryland to Boston. To learn more about outdoor fun for wedding guests to have, Stay-and-Play Packages or any other activities in the western Catskills, log on to: www.greatwesterncatskills.com.  

Lake Effect Snows Providing Great Backdrop for Winter Fun in the Catskills

The Western side of the Catskills is the first mountain range east of the Rockies that gets hit with weather systems as they cross the plains.  Not only that the Great Lakes provide just the right conditions to bring storm systems that pack a precipitation punch to the upstate region.  This translates into lots of fresh powder at area ski slopes, like Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury, NY. In last years whopper of a storm, Plattekill was tapped by the National Weather Service as receiving the most snowfall of the storm – almost 9 feet!!

Plattekill maintains its charm as a challenging mountain that is incredibly family friendly.  Double black diamond runs thrill expert skiers.  The ski school offers great instruction, a bunny hill and two side trails for easier runs.   Plattekill is open Friday-Sunday from 8:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Plattekill will be open for ten days straight for school break starting with the Presidents’ Weekend holiday.  Saturday nights are especially exciting with snow tubing available in two sessions, from 5-7 and 7-9 p.m. Holiday week will have additional tubing nights as well.  Check the conditions live with their mountain cam at www.plattekill.com.  New to the mountain this year is a boatload of infrastructure improvements. 

  Keeping Plattekill’s trails in peak condition is a constant effort. The mountain has almost 100 snow guns, 7,000 feet of buried snowmaking pipe, 1,000 feet of heavy electric wire (and nine electric stations) to power 2 new fan guns, a grooming machine, and new rental equipment.  A great way to understand just what it takes to get, make, and keep snow can be found on a new winter blog that features mostly Plattekill but also other winter activities in the region.  http://winterinthecatskills.blogspot.com   This blog has a little of everything from links to local teenagers terrain park videos, interviews with the snow making and grooming staff, as well as ice fishing and local village round-ups.

A number of nearby lodging facilities have partnered with Plattekill Mountain to offer money-saving packages. The most popular offering is one of their two BOGO (Buy One Get One) options. When visitors stay with a participating lodging facility, children 17 and under will receive one free lift ticket for each paid adult ticket (limit two).  Adults without children can save big too. Buy a full day lift ticket for Saturday and get Sunday’s lift ticket free.  The mountain boasts a great family cafeteria, upstairs lounge bar, child care center, fireplaces throughout and sunning benches on the deck.

If your winter adventure tastes are more leisurely, Delaware County has many fine cross-country skiing and snowshoeing options. The ideal cross-country or snowshoe route is the 26-mile rail bed known as the Catskill Scenic Trail running between Roxbury and Bloomville.  Use of the trail is free. For additional information on the rail trail, visit http://www.catskillscenictrail.org. All this activity is in Roxbury which boasts the award winning boutique motel, The Roxbury - check out their theme rooms at www.theroxburymotel.com. 

The Great Western Catskills Facebook page now includes a Photo of the Day section so you can remember just for real how much is on the ground, and be inspired to plan a visit. When it comes to lodging options, the Great Western Catskills features accommodations that include everything from cool and hip inns, charming bed and breakfasts, affordable and accommodating motels to private rental homes complete with fireplace and firewood. For winter lodging packages visit the getaways section of the area’s travel website.

Ring In Winter Close To Home In The Great Western Catskills

Folks are hoping that this winter season’s snowfall is on par with last year’s amazing records. Many New York area skiers have learned that staying close to home and driving to the Catskills is far better than getting on a plane and heading west. It’s time to reacquaint skiers with one of the East coasts’ best kept secrets – Plattekill Mountain in the Great Western Catskills. As long as mother nature provides cold nights, Plattekill skiers will be satisfied with all the snow making that’ll be going on at the mountain.

Getting to know a ski mountain and make it your favorite requires a few visits. Do I like the mountain? The lodging options? Can I do other things besides skiing? Here’s some insight into the family mountain that rocks. Plattekill is situated in Roxbury, NY tops out at 3,500 feet in elevation making it the highest peek on the western edge of the Catskills capturing all that weather flow off the plains and lake effect storms. You’ll find 1,100 vertical feet of downhill glory, serviced by three lifts, with the longest trail topping off at 2 miles. The resort rounds out its offerings with ski school, lodge with three levels with fireplaces, cafeteria, bar, child care, and of course, tubing. Here’s some new additions for the 2010-2011 season.

• Another NEW BOMBARDIER GROOMER has been added to the fleet to make for fantastic surface conditions all winter!
• MORE SNOW MAKING (22 more tower-mounted guns to be exact) to make for MORE SNOW on the trails faster! That’s almost 100 guns total!!
• SEVERAL base lodge improvements including a new outdoor covered grill food service area!
• EXPANDED children’s Ski School programs offering NEW "SNOW TIGERS" program featuring advanced level lesson packages for kids ages 4-7 years with a 2-1 student-teacher ratio!
• INCREASED AGE on our FREE "CHILD" ticket. Kids 7 & UNDER now SKI FREE ALL SEASON!
• EXPANDED terrain park we'll be adding to it for a great riding season.

There are two reasons people who love skiing, ski here. The first is that Plattekill is an incredibly family friendly mountain. No crowds, relaxed atmosphere and the personal touch make everyone feel at home. The other reason is that people who love skiing, love skiing on Plattekill’s trails. They’re challenging for serious skiers, fun for boarders, and there’s plenty of them for all.

Incentive pricing is also available this coming year through Plattekill's Value Club Card - only $59!! For this great price you get: (1) FREE ANYTIME Lift Ticket, $10 OFF Weekends*, 50% OFF Fridays*, $5 OFF Holidays. The Value Club Card can be purchased for adults, juniors, students or seniors and is valid for the individual purchaser only, non-transferable. Discounts are applicable to full-day ticket price based on age of purchaser. *Check website www.plattekill.com for holiday blackout dates.

A number of nearby lodging facilities and private home rentals have partnered with Plattekill Mountain to offer money-saving packages. The most popular offering is the Kids Ski Free option. When visitors stay with a participating lodging facility, children 17 and under will receive one free lift ticket for each paid adult ticket (limit two). For families with more than two kids or with no kids Plattekill has a great new buy one get one BOGO discount. Buy your lift tickets for Saturday and get Sunday’s lift ticket free. Plus they have increased the Kids Ski Free age to 7 and under.

Signing up for e-blasts from the tourism office at www.greatwesterncatskills.com and from Plattekill Mountain www.plattekill.com will keep you up to date on the great offerings and ski conditions in our area. The ski area is open Friday-Sunday from 8:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Plattekill will also be open daily during the week between Christmas and New Years as well as in February for the Presidents’ Week holiday. Saturday nights are especially exciting with snow tubing available from 5-9 p.m and every night during holiday weeks.

If your winter adventure tastes are more leisurely, Delaware County has many fine cross-country skiing and snowshoeing options. The local favorite cross-country or snowshoe route is the 19-mile rail bed known as the Catskill Scenic Trail. Use of the trail is free. This expanse of flat terrain is maintained during the winter by the snowmobile club members. Snowshoes can be rented at Plattekill Mountain and cross country skis can be rented in Highmount. For additional information on the rail trail visit www.catskillscenictrail.org.

Great Western Catskills Tourism
The Great Western Catskills is an easy day trip from New York City metro area, Albany, or Binghamton and a great weekend getaway or vacation destination for all. To learn more about outdoor resources, Stay-and-Play Packages or any other activities in the western Catskills, log on to: www.greatwesterncatskills.com. For events in the area visit www.delawarecountytoday.com.

Fall's First in the Great Western Catskills

Labor Day weekend saw tell-tale signs of fall on the mountains with isolated trees turning to their early burgundy or deep orange colors. Cool evenings and recent rains are setting the stage for a spectacular fall foliage season. In New York State the leaves turn first up in the northern part of the Adirondack State Park, and here on the western slopes of the Catskill Park. Altitudes of 2-3000 feet and cool evenings bring on the Fall foliage season first. As the leaves turn throughout September, hikers, mountain bikers, fly-fishing fans and kayakers get their last outings during the warm days amongst the changing landscape.

Fall is resplendent the entire month of September but really pops into high gear by the last weekend, showing a gorgeous array of scarlet, burgundy and pumpkin mixing in to the mountainside greens. September 25th showcases two great agricultural festivals – Delhi’s Harvest Festival and Margaretville’s Cauliflower Festival. The Catskill Forest Association hosts a firewood management workshop – oh so important now that the Emerald Ash Borer has been found in the eastern slopes of the Park. Then, on Sunday the 26th, Stamford hosts their annual Scarecrow Festival. These events offer a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the agricultural history of our area and to purchase locally made food and crafts.

October is sure to please everyone looking to feast their eyes on the best fall colors – the first two weekends including Columbus weekend are resplendent in orange and gold. This coincides with the annual Lark in the Park – ten days of guided hikes and workshops in and around the Catskill Park. Easy hikes, difficult hikes, fire tower treks, kayaking and woodlands workshops will be occurring mid week and on the weekends, hosted by avid outdoors people sharing their skill and passion for the Catskill Mountains. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that the Catskill Park is here. There is no main gate to enter through and the Park itself is a collection of public and private lands. Spearheaded by the Catskill Center and the Catskill Mountain Club, this year’s choices range from easy to moderately difficult hikes – many to fire towers in the Park, bike rides, kayak or canoe paddles, and forestry workshops. As more volunteers create great events they’ll appear on the event website: www.catskillslark.org. This is a great opportunity to learn more about mother natures playground.

The first weekend of October, Maple Shade Farm celebrates their Generations Day and shines a light on our agricultural heritage with antique engines and tractors, wagon rides, auction, pie contest and tons of regional apples. October 2nd and 3rd will offer the final series of tours of John Burroughs’ Woodchuck Lodge in Roxbury.

This year Columbus weekend brings the new Taste of the Catskills to Delhi. A joint venture lead by Quarter Moon Café and hosted on the grounds of Maple Shade Farm – this Columbus weekend event is sure to please adults and kids alike. www.tasteofthecatskills.com is the website to find out more. There will be a bocce tournament, beverage and food tastings, farm market, workshops on topics like cheese making, Sunday pig roast and more. For the kids Maple Shade will be hosting their Little Farmers Day with farm animals and carnival games in the main barn. In Walton at the Fairgrounds you’ll find the American Cancer Society’s Fall Harvest Festival going on. If you need a little more adventure on Columbus weekend, the Eastern State Cup Series mountain biking races will be hosted at Plattekill Bike Park in Roxbury. Plattekill offers lift rides for foliage viewing all season.


Great Western Catskills Tourism
The Great Western Catskills is an easy weekend get-away destination for travelers – just 3 hours from the New York City metro area. To learn about great outdoor resources, Stay-and-Play Packages or camping in the western Catskills, log on to: www.greatwesterncatskills.com. For free brochures on kayaking, antiquing, public fishing access map and other literature, call toll-free: (866) 775-4425 or e-mail: info@greatwesterncatskills.com. For a bounty of great events in the area visit delawarecountytoday.com.

Catskills History Takes a Powerful New Leap Forward.

Delaware and Ulster Railroad and Hanford Mills Museum have been marketing themselves together for years as a great pair of historical outings to make in the Western Catskills. Their theme – Experience the Power of History by Learning the History of Power – is being transformed into a great new website. A gander through www.powerofhistory.org will bring you on a wonderful trip through Delaware County’s industrial and agrarian past, as well as its role as a tourism destination for city dwellers.

The website is a collaboration between the Delaware and Ulster RailRoad, Hanford Mills, the Delaware County Historical Association and the Delaware County tourism efforts led by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. Kaatskill Life Magazine, whose articles on the region are highly regarded for their depth and detail, put the website team in touch with their writers for reuse of some articles for the initial launch. The archives at DCHA are continually being looked through for new content and the fantastic photographic archives that are found in their collections. The website is not a static experience that will stay the same, but is more like a blog or online magazine as new content will be continually uploaded. The website hosts articles, slideshows, videos and maps. There is a Facebook page titled Power of History that will feature even more photos and articles that may be slightly off topic or add fun background details to the stories. There is even a Twitter feed that will add information on local events with a history bent.

Tourism Director Patty Cullen is pleased to have created a different online experience for visitors and residents to deepen their relationship to the county. “By now we know that folks of all ages do part, if not all, of their travel research online. We are looking to provide lots of content on the website that will be found in search engines and combine that with the social media aspect to really create a stronger relationship to our visitors, generating more overnight and day trips. Our history attracts families, farm foodies, fishing and hunting fans, railroad enthusiasts, vintage baseball fans, folks who love everything historical from timber frame construction to small engines.”

The idea of heritage tourism is an appealing one for Delaware County. Even people who live here don’t really understand the quality of the experience our local historical sites offer. Hanford Mills’ executive director Liz Callahan explains, “The Power of History website offers everyone, even virtual visitors – near and far - a unique opportunity to explore many facets of Delaware County’s rich historical resources. The perspectives and themes found throughout this website create a unique and ever-expanding quilt of ideas and anecdotes that blanket the Northwest Catskills and preserve its unique and colorful culture.”

The tourism office will be looking to put together getaway packages that appeal to this customer, and offering suggestions on DIY (do-it-yourself) excursions, with of course a modern twist. “Imagine waking up at your B and B, after breakfast you get a blanket, picnic basket with lunch, copy of one or two Burroughs books, brochure about his life and a map to all the pertinent sites to visit. You hang out at Woodchuck Lodge, reading Burroughs where Burroughs was inspired. That experience has relevance today.”

The Great Western Catskills is an easy day trip from New York City metro area, Albany, or Binghamton and a great weekend getaway or vacation destination for all. To learn more about our attractions, outdoor recreation and great events going on in the Delaware County Catskills, log on to: www.greatwesterncatskills.com.

Cannonsville Reservoir Opens for 2010 Season with New Launch Site

New York State's Great Western Catskills in Delaware County have long been a place for those who know the secrets of its waters. The best fly fishing spots, early season high water kayaking on the rivers, fishing from canoes on the reservoirs. What had been lacking are large bodies of water for recreational use, until last year. What changed was the New York City Department of Environmental Protection's opening up of most of the Cannonsville Reservoir for recreational kayaking, canoeing, sculls, and for small sailboats, like Sunfish. Last year over 400 people went through the process of getting a permit and steam cleaning their boats, and got to paddle on these pristine waters.

Historically, the City's reservoirs have only been open to fishing boats under permit. After much urging from the local communities the City agreed to run a pilot program on the western reservoir, the Cannonsville, which runs from south of Walton west and south towards Deposit and Hancock. This is a three year pilot program running from 2009 to 2011, after which the City will assess the benefits and local impact and determine whether to keep it open or possibly expand it.

Two steps are required to access the Cannonsville. First the boater will need a DEP Access Permit, which you can get online at www.nyc.gov or at local sports stores. Second is the Recreational Boat Tag, which you get once your boat has been steam cleaned. All craft must be steam cleaned prior to being placed on the water and permits affixed to the boats. The Recreational Boat Tag will last from 1 to 7 days. Full season Boat Tags will be issued by the DEP's Downsville office and will permit owners to leave their boats locked up at launch areas. Trailers are not allowed in the water and there is no camping at these sites.

For the 2010 season the NYC DEP has opened a ninth launch site at Roods Creek, on the southern side of the reservoir. This provides a second launch site for sailboats. Roods Creek joins the eight original launch sites at Mormon Hollow, Dry Brook, Speedwell, Patterson, Apex, Fish Brook Beers Brook, and Dryden Brook.

Boat Cleaning

Five boat cleaning businesses will be in operation in the towns surrounding the reservoir, in Downsville, Deposit, Trout Creek and Walton, and are detailed on the free brochure on detailing the new pilot program. The cleaning process will take about 20 minutes per boat, so make sure you give yourself enough time if you have a few boats. These vendors can issue a temporary pass and get their watercraft steam cleaned. When you visit these locations, please remember to support these local vendors and purchase your supplies from them. For those wishing to obtain a full season pass, steam cleaning services will be provided by the DEP Downsville Operation's office located on NYS Route 30. Call 607-363-7009 to schedule an appointment.

Boat Rentals

Here are a few options for renting boats, though you'll still need to have the boat steam cleaned. Als Sport Store in Downsville will be renting out canoes and kayaks. Call them at 607-326-3500 or visit www.alssportstore.com. Catskill Outfitters in Walton will be renting kayaks and canoes. Call them at 607-865-8827 or visit www.catskilloutfitters.com. Border Water Outfitters in Hancock will be renting canoes and they can be reached at 607-637-4296 or at www.borderwateroutfitters.com. Old Town Kayaks in Halcottsville will have both kayaks and canoes available. Call them at 607-326-4266 or visit their website at www.pleasantpheasantfarm.com. Catskill Outback Adventures has kayaks and canoes to rent out to the public, complete with car top accessories for transporting the boat. Call them for more info at 845-254-9888 or visit their website at www.catskilloutback.com.

Access is from sunrise to sunset and will run from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus weekend. The Delaware County tourism office is providing a brochure outlining all the information you need to know on the rules and regulations for the Cannonsville. You can receive a copy by calling 866-775-4425 and leaving your name and address or by emailing your request to info@greatwesterncatskills.com. You can download the brochure on the tourism website www.greatwesterncatskills.com.

Great Western Catskills Tourism

The Great Western Catskills is an easy day trip from New York City metro area, Albany, or Binghamton and a great weekend getaway or vacation destination for all. To learn about other great outdoor resources, Stay-and-Play Packages, camping in the western Catskills, and great events in our towns and villages, log on to: www.greatwesterncatskills.com. For a free travel literature including the brochure on the Cannonsville Reservoir, public fishing access map, antique trails, and other literature, call toll-free: (866) 775-4425 or e-mail: info@greatwesterncatskills.com.

NYC May Have the High Line, but the West Kaats Have the Snow Line

For folks who like walking uninterrupted above the crowds on New York City’s Highline – they should check out the Catskill Mountains uncrowded trails, ski slopes, and main streets for real winter relaxation. The Western side of the Catskills is the first mountain range east of the Rockies that accommodates a snowline at 1800 feet above sea level. Winter weather systems that move through leave a clearly delineated line on the mountain tops where there snow precipitation really cranks it up a notch. Understanding that most folks in the metro area don’t think snow if it’s not in front of them, the Great Western Catskills Facebook page now includes a Photo of the Day section so you can remember just what the white stuff looks like and be inspired to plan a visit.

It's a ski region without the crowds and a secret many second homeowners from downstate want to keep a secret. The local ski mountain is in Roxbury at Plattekill, and it's vibe is akin to the TV show Cheers - it's a place where everybody knows your name. New to the mountain this year is a boatload of infrastructure improvements. Plattekill has added 29 snow guns, 7,000 feet of buried snowmaking pipe, 1,000 feet of heavy electric wire (and nine electric stations) to power 2 new fan guns, a grooming machine, and new rental equipment.

Plattekill maintains its charm as a challenging mountain that is incredibly family friendly. Double black diamond runs thrill expert skiers. The ski school offers great instruction, a bunny hill and two side trails for easier runs. Plattekill is open Friday-Sunday from 8:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Plattekill will be open for ten days straight for school break starting with the Presidents’ Weekend holiday. Saturday nights are especially exciting with snow tubing available in two sessions, from 5-7 and 7-9 p.m. Holiday week will have additional tubing nights as well. Check the conditions live with their mountain cam at www.plattekill.com.

A number of nearby lodging facilities have partnered with Plattekill Mountain to offer money-saving packages. The most popular offering is one of their two BOGO (Buy One Get One) options. When visitors stay with a participating lodging facility, children 17 and under will receive one free lift ticket for each paid adult ticket (limit two). Adults without children can save big too. Buy a full day lift ticket for Saturday and get Sunday’s lift ticket free. The mountain boasts a great family cafeteria, upstairs lounge bar, child care center, fireplaces throughout and sunning benches on the deck.

If your winter adventure tastes are more leisurely, Delaware County has many fine cross-country skiing and snowshoeing options. The ideal cross-country or snowshoe route is the 26-mile rail bed known as the Catskill Scenic Trail running between Roxbury and Bloomville. Use of the trail is free. This expanse of flat terrain is maintained during the winter by the snowmobile club members who also take care of more than 300 miles of additional trails in the county. For additional information on the rail trail, visit www.catskillscenictrail.org. To learn more about the snowmobiling opportunities, explore the website for the Central Catskill Trail Association at www.centralcatskillstrail.com. All this activity is in Roxbury which boasts the award winning boutique motel, cool dining options, a performing arts center and beautiful historic park. To find out all about Roxbury visit www.roxburyny.com.

When it comes to lodging options, the Great Western Catskills features accommodations that include everything from cool and hip inns, charming bed and breakfasts, affordable and accommodating motels to private rental homes and cabins. If your idea of winter romance includes a crackling fireplace, a number of accommodations can offer such an amenity. For winter lodging packages visit the getaways section of the area’s travel website at: www.greatwesterncatskills.com.

Learn more about the Western Catskills
Delaware County is located conveniently to the NYC / Albany / Rochester / Philadelphia areas for weekend getaway. For more information on travel to the Great Western Catskills visit www.greatwesterncatskills.com. For a free art gallery and antique shop map, Cannonsville boating brochure, fishing map or event calendar, call 866-775-4425.

Gear Up for Holiday Shopping with a Country Flair.

Holiday shopping can be a great adventure when you take a little time to explore the Western Catskills main streets, farm stores, and back road antique shops. The mountains mean different things to different people.

Some are recreation minded and sporting equipment makes a great holiday present. Others love the artisan works inspired by the shapes and colors found in nature here. The best place to get them something that reflects their passion for the mountains is in the mountains.

Main Street Merchants and General Stores
The best day for shopping the local artisan wares is the Saturday after Thanksgiving when the Pakatakan Farmers Market www.pfmarket.org reopens for a one day holiday bazaar and showcases everything home grown, handspun, and handmade for hearth and home. Make a day or weekend of it and combine the drive to Halcottsville with other stops along the way.

On or just off of State Highway 28 – halfway between Kingston and Cooperstown, you’ll find great clusters of shopping on the main streets of the Western Catskills. Andes boasts the most retail outlets for any town, from artisanal teas at Tay Home, delightful coffee table books and home accessories at Delaware Trading Post, to great gifts at Heart of the Catskills – run by volunteers from the local humane society. You can see on their website at www.andesnewyork.com.

Franklin’s main street showcases wonderful antiques and vintage goods amidst its stunning collection of Victorian homes. Delhi and Margaretville (www.margaretville.org) continue in their historical roles as commerce centers for the county. The Bookstore Village of the Catskills www.bookstorevillage.com is located in Hobart and provides multiple stores to shop for the always appreciated literary gift.

General stores are turning into more than a place for an emergency quart of milk. Lucky Dog Farm Store in Hamden has wonderful vintage country clothing, unique dry goods, great candy for stocking stuffing. In addition to their own veggies, they offer other local produce items, and are now serving lunch too. Masonville General Store works with area artisans to display their wares and is home to the Crescent Wrench Café. Bovina General Store showcases Bovine crockery and locally made gifts and yummy sandwiches. Just up the road at Heaven on Main Street you can place an order for boxes of delectable holiday chocolates and on Saturdays and Sundays have wonderful vegetarian baked goods. On the way out of town, stop by a Christmas tree farm in Bovina and pick up your holiday tree.

Fiber and fabric
What could be nicer than a basket full of locally raised wool, spun in to delightful yarns for the knitter on your list. Dunk Hill Alpacas in Walton sell yarn from the farm. Yarns and fabrics can be found between Delhi and Delancey at Highland Springs Farm or at Mountain Yarns in Margaretville. For those who work with fabrics, Where Quilters Gather in Walton attracts people from all over the region to stock up and explore their amazing quilting supply store and just up the street at the Country Emporium you can find more fabrics and gifts.

For the collector in the family
Art galleries have been popping up all over the county lately. Don’t think that a piece of art is out of your price range for a holiday gift. Have a few friends or family members pool their money and you will have a gift that is unique. Roxbury hosts the Roxbury Arts Group, Stamford hosts The Gallery, Margaretville’s long time art gallery is the East Branch Art Gallery, now joined by the newly open Longyear Gallery, as well as the Catskill Mountain Artisans Collective store. Andes main street showcases Chace Randall Gallery, Sixty One Main, Cooperative Art Store of Andes, and Andes Art Antiques. Delhi now boasts its first art gallery at Delhi Art and Antiques and Franklin boasts the newest at Franklin Art and Antiques. For an easy to navigate route to art and antique stores, download the Art and Antique directory from www.greatwesterncatskills.com or call 866-775-4425 and have a copy mailed to you. You can see the complete list of stores at www.catskillsartandantiques.com.

What to get the outdoorsperson who has everything
For enthusiasts of any sport you can never have enough quality supplies. If someone on your list is into fishing then a visit to Hancock is a must stop on your Catskills shopping trip. A new pair of waders, some new flies, a great book on fishing the Catskills will delight and it also makes for a fine lunch stop at the Bluestone Grill or Hancock House Hotel. The newly opened Walton Variety Store stocks fishing and camping gear, right near great main street gift stores for the rest of your list. If you’re tired of buying equipment for your outdoor fanatic, think into the future with a gift certificate for a day with a professional fly fishing guide from Grey Ghost Guide Service, an afternoon’s bird hunt at the West Branch Angler, or even a golf lesson with the pro at the Stamford Golf Course or the Golf Course at SUNY Delhi.

Stuff that stocking with the biggest little gift there is - a season lift ticket to skiing at Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury. Too expensive? Try their Value Club - $59 membership fee gets you discounts on Friday skiing, weekend rates, and holiday rates. Check it out at www.plattekill.com.

Shop for holiday meals too
Pack a cooler and ice in the trunk of your car and shop for your holiday meals while you’re out and about. The holiday ham or turkey never tasted so good when raised on fresh air and pasture on a family farm. The best resource for planning head is to check out the Pure Catskills buy local website at www.purecatskills.com. and search for a farm like Stone and Thistle in East Meredith where you can buy beef, pork, lamb, goat, rabbit, chicken, as well as organic goats milk yogurt, chevre, and goats milk fudge. Stock up on local cheeses too. Sherman Hills sells off their farm in Franklin as does Harpersfield Cheese. Brovetto’s Cheese House in Jefferson does a tour of their cheese cave that is not to be missed. And real maple syrup is always a welcomed gift from Shaver Hill Maple in Harpersfield. Short on time? One stop shop for local products at Lucky Dog Farm in Hamden, The Market Basket in Arkville, Masonville General Store in Masonville, and Good Cheap Food in Delhi.

Learn more about the Western Catskills
For more information on great things to do and lodging packages in the Great Western Catskills visit www.greatwesterncatskills.com. For information on events and workshops, visit www.delawarecountytoday.com For a free travel guide or art gallery and antique dealer directory, call 866-775-4425.

Ring In Winter Close To Home In The Great Western Catskills

Winter is set to rock this year with predictions of El Nino influences bringing over 100 inches of precipitation to the region. For many in the downstate New York area, there’s no better place to enjoy winter weekends than close to home in the Great Western Catskills of Delaware County.


Adult season passes at Plattekill Mountain (www.plattekill.com in Roxbury, NY) that are purchased before November 15th will receive a $50 discount. After skiing nine times, every visit to Plattekill after that is like skiing for free. New this year, Plattekill is offering a "refer a family" program. When a family (minimum of 1 adult and 1 junior) purchases their season passes and then refers another family who buys at least that number of passes, the referring family receives a $150 refund! Or join the Value Club where $59 gets you discounts on weekend, holiday and Friday rates all season long.

A number of nearby lodging facilities and private home rentals have partnered with Plattekill Mountain to offer money-saving packages. The most popular offering is the Kids Ski Free option. When visitors stay with a participating lodging facility, children 17 and under will receive one free lift ticket for each paid adult ticket (limit two). For families with more than two kids or with no kids Plattekill has a great new buy one get one BOGO discount. Buy your lift tickets for Saturday and get Sunday’s lift ticket free. Kids under 5 always ski free.

Signing up for e-blasts from the tourism office at www.greatwesterncatskills.com and from Plattekill Mountain www.plattekill.com will keep you up to date on the great offerings and ski conditions at 3000 feet above sea level. Many people don’t know it but the mountain range that Plattekill is part of is the first high altitude range east of the Rockies. Mountain evenings are always cold and perfect for snow making.

Improved grooming and additional snow making capabilities will make this the best season for skiing at Plattekill. Signing up for winter ski reports will give readers the best information to make a great ski season even better.

There are two reasons people who love skiing ski here. The first is that Plattekill is an incredibly family friendly mountain. No crowds, relaxed atmosphere and the personal touch make everyone feel at home. The other reason is that people who love skiing, love skiing on Plattekill’s trails. The ski area is open Friday-Sunday from 8:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Plattekill will also be open daily during the week between Christmas and New Years as well as in February for the Presidents’ Week holiday. Saturday nights are especially exciting with snow tubing available from 5-9 p.m and extra nights during holiday weeks.

Belleayre Mountain, the state run ski center, provides skiing seven days a week, and offers a children under 14 ski free program with their lodging partners. Also available is a mid week special at $49 per person rate for lodging and a lift ticket. Belleayre also has an Adaptive Snowsports program. For more information on skiing at Belleayre visit www.belleayre.com.

If your winter adventure tastes are more leisurely, Delaware County has many fine cross-country skiing and snowshoeing options. Among the ideal cross-country or snowshoe routes is the 19-mile rail bed known as the Catskill Scenic Trail. Use of the trail is free. This expanse of flat terrain is maintained during the winter by the snowmobile club members who also take care of more than 300 miles of additional trails in the county. For additional information on the rail trail visit www.catskillscenictrail.org. To learn more about the snowmobiling opportunities, explore the website for the Central Catskill Trail Association at www.centralcatskilltrail.com. Volunteers from the Catskill Mountain Club lead guided hikes and workshops throughout the winter (including ice fishing). For an events schedule, visit: www.catskillmountainclub.org.

When it comes to lodging options, the Great Western Catskills features accommodations that include everything from cool and hip inns, charming bed and breakfasts, full-service resorts, affordable and accommodating motels to private rental homes and cabins. If your idea of winter romance includes a crackling fireplace or hottub, a number of accommodations can offer such an amenity. For winter lodging packages visit the getaways section of the tourism website at: www.greatwesterncatskills.com.

Great Western Catskills Tourism
The Great Western Catskills is an easy day trip from New York City metro area, Albany, or Binghamton and a great weekend getaway or vacation destination for all. To learn more about outdoor resources, Stay-and-Play Packages or any other activities in the western Catskills, log on to: www.greatwesterncatskills.com.

For free travel literature, call toll-free: (866) 775-4425 or e-mail: info@greatwesterncatskills.com. For timely events in the area visit delawarecountytoday.com.
Any time of year, come visit the Great Western Catskills of Delaware County and “Let the magic of our mountains move you.”

Ring In Winter Close To Home In The Great Western Catskills

Winter kicked into high gear with a major storm and accumulation of fresh powder this past week. For many in the downstate New York area, there’s no better place to enjoy winter weekends than at the closest slopes in the Great Western Catskills of Delaware County.

As an early northeaster dumped over a foot and a half of snow on the ski slopes, the spirits of skiers and snowboarders have soared. At Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury, they’re busy grooming the trails and moguls, and setting up race courses.
A number of nearby lodging facilities and private home rentals have partnered with Plattekill Mountain to offer money-saving packages. The most popular offering is the Kids Ski Free option. When visitors stay with a participating lodging facility, children 17 and under will receive one free lift ticket for each paid adult ticket (limit two). For families with more than two kids or with no kids Plattekill has a great new buy one get one BOGO discount. Buy a full day lift ticket for Saturday and get Sunday’s lift ticket free. Kids under 5 always ski free.

Signing up for e-blasts from the tourism office at www.greatwesterncatskills.com and from Plattekill Mountain www.plattekill.com will keep you up to date on the great offerings and ski conditions at 3000 feet above sea level. A trip to the Catskills runs 2 hours from the George Washington Bridge to Belleayre and a few minutes more to Plattekill in Roxbury. Mountain evenings are always cold and perfect for snow making. So even if it’s not snowing where you live, check out conditions up in our mountains.

Plattekill maintains its charm as a challenging mountain that is incredibly family friendly. The ski area is open Friday-Sunday from 8:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Plattekill will also be open daily during the week between Christmas and New Years as well as in February for the Presidents’ Week holiday. Saturday nights are especially exciting with snow tubing available from 5-9 p.m and extra nights during holiday weeks. Plattekill also offers Powder Daize – opening the day after they receive 10 inches of new powder no matter what day of the week.

Belleayre Mountain, the state run ski center, provides skiing seven days a week, and offers a children under 12 ski free program with their lodging partners. Also available is a mid week special at $49 per person rate for lodging and a lift ticket. Belleayre also has an Adaptive Snowsports program. For more information on skiing at Belleayre visit www.belleayre.com.

If your winter adventure tastes are more leisurely, Delaware County has many fine cross-country skiing and snowshoeing options. Among the ideal cross-country or snowshoe routes is the 19-mile rail bed known as the Catskill Scenic Trail. Use of the trail is free. This expanse of flat terrain is maintained during the winter by the snowmobile club members who also take care of more than 300 miles of additional trails in the county. For additional information on the rail trail visit www.catskillscenictrail.org.

Delaware County maintains over 200 miles of snowmobile trails on a mix of public and private lands. To learn more about the snowmobiling opportunities, visit www.greatwesterncatskills.com and contact the snowmobile club closest to where you will be staying. Clubs offer poker runs throughout the winter.

When it comes to lodging options, the Great Western Catskills features accommodations that include everything from cool and hip inns, charming bed and breakfasts, full-service resorts, affordable and accommodating motels to private rental homes and cabins. If your idea of winter romance includes a crackling fireplace or hottub, a number of accommodations can offer such an amenity. For winter lodging packages visit the getaways section of the county tourism website at: www.greatwesterncatskills.com.

Learn more about the Western Catskills
Delaware County is located conveniently to the NYC / Albany / Binghamton areas for weekend or day trips. For more information on travel to the Great Western Catskills visit www.greatwesterncatskills.com. For information on events, visit delawarecountytoday.com.