The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Hunter Mountain's summit reaches 3,199 feet, dropping 1,600 vertical feet to a base at 1,601 feet across 67 runs spread over 320 acres in the Catskill Mountains, roughly two and a half hours from New York City. Terrain splits 30 per cent advanced, 30 per cent intermediate, 25 per cent beginner and 15 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 84 inches. The resort carries Epic Pass affiliation. Thirteen lifts, including three quad chairs and two six-person chairs, serve the mountain alongside two double chairs, two triple chairs and four surface lifts.
Hunter Mountain has long stood as one of the Catskills' most prominent ski destinations, prized for its relative proximity to the New York City metropolitan area and its extensive snowmaking infrastructure. The resort's considerable 1,600-foot vertical drop and substantial trail count place it among the larger Catskills ski areas.
During the mid-1950s, a group of local businessmen, including Orville and Israel Slutzky and Karl Plattner Sr, developed plans to revive the Catskills' economy following decades of decline tied to the Great Depression, the Second World War and the region's fading tourism appeal. Hunter Mountain opened in 1960 under brothers Izzy and Orville Slutzky, who also ran a construction company building schools and bridges throughout the Catskills, work that complemented the resort's seasonal operations. The Slutzky family owned and ran Hunter Mountain for more than 50 years.
Peak Resorts acquired Hunter Mountain in 2015 and invested in further upgrades, culminating in the 2018 Hunter North Expansion, which added nine new runs and the Northern Express, a high-speed six-passenger chairlift, increasing the resort's skiable terrain by roughly a third. In 2019, Vail Resorts acquired Peak Resorts, bringing Hunter Mountain into its network and onto the Epic Pass. Adult daily tickets run from 89 to 139 US dollars.
1,598ft
Vertical
67
Runs
320 acres
Skiable
7ft
Annual snow
Epic
Pass
The Terrain
67 runs across 320 acres skiable
Hunter Mountain covers 320 acres (130 hectares) in the Catskills, with 67 runs falling about 1,600 ft (487 m) from the 3,200 ft (975 m) summit to a base at 1,600 ft (488 m). The terrain splits 25% beginner, 30% intermediate, 30% advanced and 15% expert, which is a more demanding mix than most Northeast day-trip hills. Thirteen lifts, including two six-seat chairs, three quads, two triples, two doubles and four surface lifts, keep the mountain flowing at busy weekend times for visitors on the Epic Pass.
The expert terrain is found on Hellgate, Upper K-27 and Racer's Edge, with K-27 holding pitches of 38 to 44 degrees, the steepest on the mountain. Westway and Annapurna are steep too, but only open after sustained snowfall. The Hunter West section adds more advanced skiing, and four terrain parks, including Empire Terrain Park, cater to freestyle riders. Hunter suits strong intermediates and advanced skiers who want real pitch within a few hours of New York City, while beginners have their own gentler zone and several surface lifts at the base.
Terrain split
67
runs
67 runs across 4 grades
Beginner17 runs · 25%
Intermediate20 runs · 30%
Advanced20 runs · 30%
Expert10 runs · 15%
Time it right
When to visit Hunter Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Hunter Mountain ran from 28 November 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 84 inches. Extensive snowmaking supplements natural snowfall considerably, supporting the resort's early-season opening and consistent conditions throughout the winter.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Hunter's varied terrain across beginner through expert-rated runs. As an Epic Pass resort within the Vail Resorts network, Hunter draws substantial visitation from Epic Pass holders alongside its traditional New York City metropolitan area day-trip and weekend visitor base, given the resort's roughly two-and-a-half-hour drive from the city.
The 2018 Hunter North Expansion's additional terrain and the Northern Express six-person chairlift continue to support strong visitor capacity during peak weekend and holiday periods. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given the resort's varied terrain and proximity to the metropolitan area. Weekend crowds draw heavily from the greater New York City region.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Vail Resorts' 2019 acquisition of Peak Resorts, Hunter has continued operating as part of the Epic Pass network, building on more than 60 years of Catskills skiing history dating to the Slutzky family's 1960 founding. The resort's proximity to New York City remains central to its enduring popularity.
Season 2026 - 2027
21 Nov 2026
Opens
4 Apr 2027
Closes
134
Days open
7 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Hunter Mountain, and where to stay
Hunter Mountain sits in the Catskill Mountains of New York, roughly two and a half hours from New York City, with a base elevation of 1,601 feet and a summit at 3,199 feet across a 1,600-foot vertical drop over 320 acres. This relative proximity to the metropolitan area has long defined Hunter's role as a leading downstate ski destination.
The town of Hunter and the broader Catskills region offer lodging, dining and additional recreation within a short drive of the resort. The Hudson Valley lies between the mountain and New York City, providing additional stopover options for visitors making the drive from the metropolitan area.
New York State Route 23A provides direct access to the resort through the heart of the Catskills. Winter driving conditions on this mountainous route can include snow and ice, and visitors travelling from the New York City area should allow extra time given typical weekend traffic volumes. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain, though the resort's proximity to the city supports considerable day-trip visitation by car.
Specific nearest commercial airport details are not confirmed in available resort information, though Hunter's roughly two-and-a-half-hour drive from New York City places it within reach of the metropolitan area's major airports for visitors flying in from further afield.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Hunter Mountain, powered by Stay22.
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