The Magic of Skiing the Catskills

For any significant elevations, most skiers have to venture where the conditions warrant the drive that is generally to the cooler climes in the Northeast. But skiers can explore other options that are closer home, while still having the big mountain experience.  One suggestion is to head to New York’s Catskill Mountains and enjoy some of best snow within a two-hour drive of Connecticut.  Some of the top areas, Belleayre, Hunter, and Windham offer family-friendly winter sports downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, together with plenty of other activities. Part of the appeal is finding a local resort that offers great value, while enjoying more time on the slopes and doing less driving behind the wheel. 

As soon as I reach the Catskills, I see the magnificent mountain peaks shrouded in snow in the distance. I feel elated that the billowing clouds surrounding the mountains provide such an amazing sight, and I eagerly wait to see whether the conditions are likely to bring more snow. I realize that my drive to the mountains is well-timed with the prospect of new snowfall, which increases my excitement to ski at Belleayre.  In anticipating a few full days of skiing, I plan to spend the week-end in the Catskills and look for lodgings within a half-hour radius of the ski slopes.  From Belleayre, I drive along Route 28 East until I reach Route 212 at Mount Tremper and continue along the road for thirteen miles to Woodstock. 

Along this rustic road, I experience some of the most awesome views along the winding, Esopus River that evoke a sense of feeling far away in a world that is frozen in time with so much beauty.  In the midst of the Catskill Forest Preserve, my travels bring me to a serene place that is in stark contrast from my hectic, everyday life.  For once, I have the pleasure of traveling in utter silence and enjoying the serenity of the woodlands before reaching a magnificent country house tucked beneath the canopies of towering trees.  Like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, I feel as if I am in a dream when I see the Bed & Breakfast called The Enchanted Manor of Woodstock that appears to be ‘just right’, like in the storybook tale.  When I find myself at the door of this manor, I am enchanted by the ambiance that is created by its owners, Claudia and Rolan Hirsch.  This eclectic hideaway, not only houses great oriental and art nouveau works, but also has an intriguing interior décor that eludes mystery and excitement.  In entering the salon of the master suite, I am fascinated by the display of Buddhist statutes and other collectables on the mantelpiece, while the cozy-lit fireplace offers a warm and inviting glow.  The enchantment on the property is everywhere from the manor itself to the outdoors, with its magnificent views on all sides of the Catskill Forest Preserve.

Within this Catskill Park, the locals make efforts to preserve the natural resources that cover 300,000 acres of forests with meadows, lakes, springs, waterfalls, cliffs, and wildlife and nature trails.  Living a peaceful coexistence with wildlife often brings about interest in whether bears are spotted in this part of Catskill Park.  When asking long-time resident, Claudia, whether she has had any sightings of bears, she claims on seeing a small fox on one occasion, but has not encountered any grizzlies in the many years that she has lived in the area.   

After speaking with a few Woodstock residents, living in this longstanding arts colony whose claim to fame is the 1969 rock festival from which it is named, the presence of bears is not a source of anxiety. Surprisingly, the locals seem more inclined to discuss issues like healthy living, rather than to share their sediments on whether it is wonderful seeing bears.

In my fascination of this natural and cultural place, I decide to try the local cuisine in Woodstock.  Within the forested area, I find the Woodland Lodge with its own restaurant, The Havana Club Bar and Grill, serving delicious food that is a blend of Cuban and Italian fare that tempts the palate “with a twist”, according to its owner, Carlo Pombo. The contemporary artworks add to the exuberance and passion that aptly match the delectable flavors of the Linguini Frutti Di Mare and Scaloppine Marsala dishes.  To my delight, I discover that the dishes are beautifully prepared and the combination of Latino and Italian cuisine is as extraordinary as the dining experience itself.

While my dining experience takes me to new places in the Catskills, my interest is to continue skiing in the great outdoors and to enjoy the fresh air and clean water of the mountains.  After a few full days of skiing, my interest is to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and find just the spot at the River Rock Health Spa in Woodstock. Within this quiet space, I find solace in the peaceful setting and feel uplifted by the soothing treatment that rejuvenates my mind and body.  I am reminded that in this place, peace and tranquility are not only reflecting a state of mind, but also characterize the spirit that comes alive in the Catskills.

In many respects, Woodstock has so much to offer, ranging from the renowned music and art scene to the serene surroundings that mirror nature’s tranquility.  In some ways, I relive the heady days of this fervent music scene bringing back promises of peace, which surface again in Woodstock, while casting wonder and magic in the Catskills.