The Mid-Atlantic area offers abundant recreational opportunities if you’re a winter sports enthusiast. In fact, you’ll find plenty of ski resorts and areas within a few hours of your Central New Jersey home. Here are four resorts you may want to visit this winter.

Mountain Creek

Vernon, NJ

At just under 90 minutes from Hillsborough, Mountain Creek offers the ideal location whether you want to spend the day on the slopes or the week. The resort offers a variety of courses for novice through expert skiers and snowboarders and uses 1,000 snow-making guns to ensure 100 percent of the courses remain snow covered. If snow tubing is your preferred winter activity, you’ll enjoy the five-acre snow tubing park with magic carpet lift.

After a day in the snow, relax in your studio, one- or two-bedroom unit in The Appalachian, located slope-side. The resort offers a fitness center, ski and snowboard storage lockers and underground parking to keep your car free of snow and ice.

Do you enjoy swimming outdoors no matter what the weather? A dip in The Appalachian’s outdoor swimming pool or hot tubs will loosen your tight muscles and leave you ready to tackle another day of skiing or boarding. Both the hot tub and swimming pool are open year-round.

Shawnee Mountain Ski Area

East Stroudsburg, PA

Shawnee Mountain Ski Area offers another option if you’re in the mood for some skiing, snowboarding or tubing. Conveniently located on the other side of the Delaware River, the ski area features 23 slopes and trails geared toward beginning, intermediate and expert skiers, a snow tubing park and two terrain parks. Thanks to Shawnee’s 100 percent snowmaking capability, you won’t have to worry about bare spots on the mountain.

Although Shawnee Mountain doesn’t have its own hotel, the area offers a variety of accommodations. Reserve a luxurious suite at The Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, or spend your evening in front of the fireplace in your condo at Wyndham Vacation Resorts Shawnee Village.

Hunter Mountain

Hunter, NY

Whether you’re planning a romantic ski trip or a family snow tubing getaway, Hunter Mountain in the Catskill Mountains offers plenty to do for everyone in your group. This year, the Mountain is opening 9 new trails and adding a new, high-speed chairlift. With more than 20 chutes, Hunter Mountain is the largest snow tubing park in New York. The resort even offers a mini version of its popular tubing park just for kids.

If you happen to visit during late February, you can catch the Kaatskillz Pro-Am Freestyle Event on the 23^rd. Freestyle skiers and riders will compete on the skate park’s rails, hips and bowls during the event, hosted by Joey B of Freshies Media.

Do you hate trudging to the lodge or slopes with all of your equipment? Chose a ski in, ski out room at The Kaatskill Mountain Club Lodge. The Lodge offers an outdoor four-season pool, spa, steam room, sauna, fitness center and restaurant.

Campgaw Mountain

Mahwah, NJ

Mahwah’s Campgaw Mountain is the ideal place to refine your skills or learn to ski or snowboard. In addition to 12 trails, the mountain also offers a popular snow tubing area with 16 lanes. Campgaw Mountain offers special rates for tubing groups and provides daily group or private skiing or snowboarding lessons for an additional fee. 

Campgaw Mountain doesn’t offer slope-side accommodations, but you’ll find plenty of popular hotels in Mahwah. If you’re looking for a more unique lodging option, book a stay at the Castle at Skylands Manor, a renovated Tudor Revival Mansion in nearby Ringwood. When you choose a suite, you’ll feel as if you’re the lord or lady of the manor. Updated suites feature hand-carved wood paneling, antique furnishings and private bathrooms.

Finding a place to stow your ski or snowboard equipment can be a challenge if storage is an issue in your house or apartment. Luckily, the Country Classics' new construction homes in Central New Jersey provide plenty of room for all of your winter sports gear. Contact us for information on available lots and models.