This month’s cold snap may make for a nastytrudge to the subway, but it’s given theNortheast a beautiful coat of snow. Seize the moment,and hit the slopes.
A mellower upstate spot than nearby Hunter, Windhamoffers 39 trails that, even at the beginner level, aremore than just straight, dull runs. Paragon Sportsruns bus trips there every Sunday. (800-SKI-WIND;skiwindham.com. Paragon: bus plus lift ticket, $60;paragonsports.com.)
For snowboarders looking to test their moves,there’s this New Jersey mainstay about an houraway, which devotes about 20 percent of its 170 acresto rails, hips, and a half-pipe. (973-827-2000;mountaincreek.com. Action Tours: bus plus lift ticket,$54; 877-691-6366.)
Here’s one more reason to skip the madhouse thatis Killington: Okemo’s new mountain brings itsskiable acreage to 562. Emilio’s Ski Shop andZogSports will get you to Vermont and back.(800-78-OKEMO; okemo.com. Emilio’s:718-544-0404. [email protected].)
If you can’t get up in time for the bus upstate,you can still spend the day on the Orange Countyslopes. A half-pipe and terrain park elevate SterlingForest past mom-and-pop status. (845-351-2163;skisterlingforest.com.)
It’s only a few easy hours (by air) toQuebec’s Laurentian range, where you’llfind this all-in-one resort mountain with FrenchCanadian flavor. (866-836-3030; tremblant.com.)