I first learned to ski at Windham. It was sometime shortly after the Pleistocene age when Windham was a private club. My friend’s parents belonged, and we would all pile into their state-of-the-art 64 Chevy, and make our way up the New York State Thruway to a cabin owned by my friend’s mother’s boss.

Windham has gone through several incarnations since then, but the mountain has always been a favorite of mine. Not quite as extensive as it’s neighbor Hunter, it is less crowded, while still providing an extensive complement of trails for everyone from the green beginner to the double diamond expert.

Though Ski Windham lost much of its coziness, since the days it was private, it is still more family oriented than Hunter. If it’s partying and apres ski singles entertainment you are looking for, then Hunter is a better choice.

Also, for some reason, while expanding everything else, Windham seems to reduced the size of the lodge, and made that space more cramped, with less the feel of an alpine lodge (as it used to) and more like an industrial cafeteria.

Despite this, Windham has blossomed into a full-fledged ski resort. New trails have been continually added over the years, and they now boast a quad chair lift. (Though I still miss those old gondola chairs of those pleasant days of yore.)

Like any modern ski slope, today Ski Windham not only accommodates skiers of all stripes, but snowboarders as well, with a half pipe and trails containing jumps.

Windham also has an exceptional ski school, numerous family and children-oriented programs, and a well-stocked rental shop, where waiting is kept to a minimum.

At just two hours from New York City, Windham is perfect for a day or weekend trip, without spending half your time driving.

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