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    New Jersey, USA

    Mountain Creek

    46 runs, 1,040ft vertical, 167 acres 47 miles from NYC. Night skiing, gondola access in New Jersey.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    7 Dec 2025
    Closes
    13 Apr 2026
    Days open
    127
    Annual snow
    5ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Mountain Creek's summit reaches 1,480 feet, dropping 1,040 vertical feet to a base at 440 feet across 46 runs spread over 167 acres in Vernon Township, New Jersey. Terrain splits 46 per cent intermediate, 30 per cent advanced and 24 per cent beginner, with no expert-rated runs. Average annual snowfall is modest at roughly 65 inches, making the resort reliant on snowmaking for most of its season. Mountain Creek carries no major multi-resort pass affiliation.

    The resort's 1,040-foot vertical drop is unusually large for the New York metropolitan area, a legacy of its origins as three separate ski areas merged into one property. A gondola, the Cabriolet, added during Intrawest's late-1990s renovation, remains a distinctive feature for a resort this close to New York City. Night skiing extends access into evening hours, popular with commuters from northern New Jersey and the city. Eight lifts, including one gondola, one quad and other chairs, serve the 46-run network.

    The resort traces its roots to 1965, when Great Gorge opened in McAfee, New Jersey, followed by Vernon Valley Ski Resort in 1968; the two merged into Vernon Valley/Great Gorge in 1974 under Great American Recreation, which also built the adjacent Action Park. Great American Recreation went bankrupt in 1995, and Intrawest bought the ski area and Action Park site in 1998 for 40 million US dollars, renaming it Mountain Creek and rebuilding much of the lift network. When Intrawest divested assets in 2010, a group led by Eugene Mulvihill, the former Great American Recreation owner, purchased Mountain Creek alongside the adjacent Crystal Springs Resort.

    With no major pass affiliation, Mountain Creek sells its own day tickets and season passes directly rather than through a shared network. Adult day tickets range from 89 to 119 US dollars depending on date, with night skiing available at a reduced rate and a season pass, the Snow All Access Pass, priced at 599 dollars. The resort suits New York City and northern New Jersey skiers seeking the closest major ski area to Manhattan, roughly 47 miles away. Its history of ownership turnover, from Great American Recreation through Intrawest to the current Mulvihill-led group, reflects the volatile economics of running a ski area this close to a major metropolitan market.

    1,040ft
    Vertical
    46
    Runs
    167 acres
    Skiable
    5ft
    Annual snow
    The Terrain

    46 runs across 167 acres skiable

    Mountain Creek spreads 46 runs across 167 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 46%, with 11 beginner runs to find your feet and 14 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    46
    runs
    46 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner11 runs · 24%
    Intermediate21 runs · 46%
    Advanced14 runs · 30%
    Expert0 runs · 0%
    Time it right

    When to visit Mountain Creek

    The 2025-26 season at Mountain Creek ran from 7 December 2025 to 13 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week window supported heavily by snowmaking rather than natural snowfall. The resort's proximity to the New York metropolitan area makes season length and reliability commercially important, driving investment in artificial snow production. Season dates can shift based on early and late-season temperatures suitable for snowmaking. This is a comparatively long season for a resort with modest natural snowfall.

    Average annual snowfall of roughly 65 inches is low relative to higher-elevation Northeast resorts, meaning Mountain Creek depends on snowmaking for the great majority of its season-long conditions. This makes temperature, rather than storm cycles, the key variable in the resort's operating reliability. Base depth is maintained through snowmaking rather than tracked as natural accumulation. The resort's proximity to a major population centre makes consistent machine-made conditions commercially essential.

    Midwinter, from late December through February, typically offers the most reliable conditions once snowmaking has established a consistent base. Night skiing sessions extend the useful hours of each day, particularly popular with weekday commuters from New York and northern New Jersey. Weekend crowds are generally heavier than weekdays, given the resort's role serving a massive nearby metropolitan population. Late-season visits into April can be inconsistent as temperatures warm.

    Mountain Creek's season calendar centres on serving its metropolitan-area customer base through extensive night skiing and session-based ticketing rather than festival programming. The resort's ownership history, including its time under Intrawest and the current Mulvihill-led group, has shaped operating priorities toward reliable, snowmaking-driven conditions. Specific events beyond standard operations are not documented in available resort information. As the closest major resort to New York City, the calendar leans toward maximising accessible operating hours over destination-style programming.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    7 Dec 2025
    Opens
    13 Apr 2026
    Closes
    127
    Days open
    5 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Mountain Creek, and where to stay

    Mountain Creek sits in Vernon Township, New Jersey, with a base elevation of 440 feet and a summit at 1,480 feet across a 1,040-foot vertical drop over 167 acres. This is the Highlands region of northern New Jersey rather than a true mountain range, though the vertical drop is unusually large for the area. The resort's origins as three merged ski areas, Great Gorge and the two Vernon Valley areas, still shape its layout. Vernon Township itself is a small rural municipality rather than a resort town.

    New York City lies roughly 47 miles southeast, making Mountain Creek the closest major ski area to Manhattan. Northern New Jersey towns provide closer, smaller service centres than the city itself. The region carries a rural, exurban character despite its proximity to one of the world's largest metropolitan areas. The adjacent Crystal Springs Resort, under related ownership, adds golf and additional lodging to the area.

    State Route 94 and other local roads connect Mountain Creek to the broader northern New Jersey highway network, including Interstate 80 and Route 23. The drive from New York City typically takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic and conditions. Winter driving in the region can include snow and ice, though the route is well-travelled and generally well-maintained given traffic volumes. No direct rail service reaches the resort, though some visitors arrive via bus services from the city.

    Newark Liberty International Airport is the nearest major airport with extensive commercial service, roughly an hour's drive from Mountain Creek. John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in New York City offer further options for international and domestic visitors respectively. Stewart International Airport in the Hudson Valley provides a smaller alternative. Most visitors reach Mountain Creek by car directly from the New York metropolitan area rather than flying into a specific regional airport.

    Where to stay

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    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

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    Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026

    Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026

    Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.

    4 Sept 2026
    Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season

    Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season

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    2 Sept 2026
    Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6

    Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6

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    1 Sept 2026
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    31 Aug 2026
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    28 Aug 2026
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    27 Aug 2026
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    26 Aug 2026
    Unstable Glacier Above Randa Puts Zermatt-Area Village on Alert

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    26 Aug 2026

    Mountain Creek Lift Tickets

    Mountain Creek lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Mountain Creek closed on Apr 13, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from US$55, with peak rates up to US$119.

    11 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Adult Full Day

    US$89up to US$119 peak

    Full day access to Mountain Creek Resort's 46 slopes across 4 mountain peaks in New Jersey. Just 47 miles from NYC with 100% snowmaking and the region's highest vertical.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–17

    Youth Full Day

    US$79up to US$105 peak

    Youth daily ticket for Mountain Creek in Vernon, New Jersey. Experience East Coast skiing with terrain parks and night skiing just an hour from New York City.

    Buy pass
    Child 7–12

    Child Full Day

    US$69up to US$95 peak

    Children's lift ticket at Mountain Creek Resort. Family-friendly New Jersey skiing with beginner terrain and excellent ski school programs near New York metropolitan area.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–6

    Child (6 & Under)

    Free

    Free skiing for children 6 and under at Mountain Creek Resort with paying adult. New Jersey's premier ski destination welcomes families just miles from New York City.

    Buy pass
    Senior 65–79

    Senior Full Day

    US$79up to US$105 peak

    Senior lift ticket for Mountain Creek in New Jersey. Discounted access to 46 slopes with night skiing and terrain parks near the New York metropolitan area.

    Buy pass
    Senior 80–99

    Senior (80+)

    Free

    Free skiing for seniors 80 and older at Mountain Creek Resort. Complimentary access to New Jersey's premier ski destination with easy access from New York area.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    Group Discount (15+)

    US$75up to US$95 peak

    Group discount for 15 or more skiers at Mountain Creek Resort. Perfect for school groups, clubs, and corporate outings to New Jersey's premier ski destination.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Half Day

    US$69up to US$89 peak

    Half day skiing at Mountain Creek starting in the afternoon. Perfect for shorter visits to New Jersey skiing with terrain parks and night skiing options.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    Night Skiing

    US$55up to US$75 peak

    Night skiing at Mountain Creek with extensive lighted terrain across multiple peaks. New Jersey's premier night skiing experience just 47 miles from NYC.

    Buy pass

    Multi-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Triple Play Card

    US$199

    Three anytime lift tickets for one low price - no blackout dates, no restrictions. Mountain Creek's best deal for guaranteed access throughout the season in New Jersey.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 7–79

    Snow All Access Pass

    US$599

    Unlimited access to Mountain Creek Resort all season with no blackout dates. Best value for frequent skiers at New Jersey's largest ski area near NYC.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Mountain Creek day pass cost?+
    Mountain Creek day passes range from US$55 to US$119 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Mountain Creek lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Mountain Creek lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Mountain Creek, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Mountain Creek lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Mountain Creek - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Mountain Creek lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Mountain Creek offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Mountain Creek directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Mountain Creek.

    More Mountain Creek intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.