Ski Plattekill
Roxbury, NY

Ski Plattekill is a terrific medium size ski area in Roxbury, NY. It skis much larger than its 1000-1100' vertical would suggest. There's something for everyone at this mountain - from wide open steeps, to narrow chutes, to easy meandering beginner trails. Its uncrowded, affordable, and friendly - what else could you want?

Plattekill is open Fri-Sun, all of vacation weeks, and whenever 12" or more of snow falls on weekdays. This helps to preserve the natural snow trails that would be skied off otherwise.

I skied this area with my brother on Feb 14, 2004. It was a great day with lots of sun, 100% open, and relatively limited crowds. Even with a near full parking lot, the trails were totally uncrowded and the longest we waited for a chair was 2 minutes.

Here's a view of the mountain in 1963 (Buxton's Eastern Ski Slopes). You can see the original T-bar lift line (still standing today but no longer used), and several trails. From left to right (by their current names): Overlook, Ridge Run, Northface, Giant Slalom, and Plunge.


2003/2004 Trail Map.

Today, the mountain has greatly expanded, and is now on two peaks. The left peak (facing north) has a new (used from Belleayre) Halldouble chair and the now disused T-bar. The terrain is mostly natural skiing, with limited snowmaking but decent grooming. There are limitless possibilities on the north face. Overlook is a narrow beginner trail, about 1.5 miles long. Cat Track, Twist, Ridge Run, the Cliffs, and Horseshoe are all narrow squiggles from the summit. They cut back and forth the fairly steep mountain. Northface, Giant Slalom, Plunge, and Freefall are all steep, down the fall line awesome slopes. 

The original T-bar, now motionless. It served the North Face until a double was recently installed. The slope it served was aptly named Northface and is quite steep.

The narrow, twisty Cliff Trail has, you guessed it, a small cliff like outcropping on it.

The steep and twisty Giant Slalom, moderately wide.

In the "saddle" between the two peaks, is another signature trail: Blockbuster. This trail is very steep, moguled, and has snowmaking. Reminds me of Stein's Run at Sugarbush. Its about 800' of pure vertical and will challenge most skiers.

The other half of the mountain is served by a Hall Triple Chair, and is more popular with families, as runs are a bit more gentle here. Here's looking up the Face trail, moderately steep.
Powder Puff is a long, beginner trail from the top of the triple. At the bottom of that trail, there is a great view of the very steep North Face.

Check out Ski Plattekill on the web at www.plattekill.com.

Special thanks to Laszlo Vajtay, President of Plattekill, for inviting us down.

Directions to Ski Plattekill (from their website):

DIRECTIONS From NYC and points South:
New York State Thruway (Interstate 87) North to exit 19, Kingston. Rt. 28 West towards Pine Hill approximately 40 minutes to the Town of Arkville. Turn Right at Ski Plattekill billboard just before the railroad crossing. Follow to the end. Turn Right onto Rt. 30 North. Go approximately 7 miles and look for sign to turn left onto Cold Spring Road, follow signs to ski center - 3 miles off Rt. 30.

Total drive time from NYC approx. 2.5 hours.

DIRECTIONS From Albany and points North:
Interstate 90 West to Interstate 88 West. Follow Interstate 88 West to exit 23, Rt. 30 South. Follow Rt. 30 South for 45 minutes to town of Roxbury. In Roxbury turn right onto Bridge Street. Go 100 yards over bridge and bear left - follow for 4 miles to ski center.

Total time from Albany approx. 1.5 hours.

DIRECTIONS From Binghamton, Oneonta and points West:
(From Binghamton) Interstate 88 East to exit 14, Oneonta, Rt. 23. Follow Rt. 23 East to town of Grand Gorge. In Grand Gorge turn right onto Rt. 30 South. Follow 7 miles to town of Roxbury. In Roxbury turn right onto Bridge Street. Go 100 yards over bridge and bear left - follow for 4 miles to ski center.

Total time from Binghamton approx. 1.5 hours, from Oneonta approx. 45 minutes.

DIRECTIONS From Boston and points East:
Interstate 90 West through Albany to Interstate 88 West. Follow Interstate 88 West to exit 23, Rt. 30 South. Follow Rt. 30 South for 45 minutes to town of Roxbury. In Roxbury turn right onto Bridge Street. Go 100 yards over bridge and bear left - follow for 4 miles to ski center.

Total time from Boston approx. 4 hours.

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