Catamount Ski Area is a
ski resortA ski area is a developed recreational facility, usually on a mountain or large hill, containing ski trails and vital supporting services. It is common for a ski area to have food, rental equipment, parking facilities and a ski lift system catering to the sports of skiing and snowboarding...
located on
Mount FrayMount Fray, , also known as Catamount because of the Catamount Ski Area located on its north slope, is a prominent peak of the south Taconic Mountains, located in southwest Massachusetts and adjacent New York. The summit is open and covered in scrub oak; it offers views west over the Hudson River...
of the
Taconic MountainsThe Taconic Mountains or Taconic Range are a physiographic section of the larger New England province and part of the Appalachian Mountains, running along the eastern border of New York State and adjacent New England from northwest Connecticut to western Massachusetts, north to central western...
in
Hillsdale, New YorkHillsdale is a town in Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 1,744 at the 2000 census.The Town of Hillsdale is at the east border of Columbia County.- History :The region was taken from the Town of Claverack in 1782...
and
South Egremont, MassachusettsEgremont is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,345 at the 2000 census. Egremont consists of two villages, North Egremont and South Egremont....
. It is one of the few remaining family-owned ski areas in New England.
Catamount first opened for business in 1939 with three rope tows. Decades later, Bill Gilbert and Don Edwards took over management, purchasing Catamount in 1974. Since the change in ownership, many trails and lifts have been added. In addition, snowmaking coverage has been increased from 25% to 98%.
In 2006, the summit double chairlift was replaced with a fixed grip quad chairlift.
- Skiable area:
- 32
- 10 novice - 40%
- 10 intermediate - 27%
- 12 advanced and expert - 33%
- Longest trail - Ridge Run to Upper and Lower Promenade
98% of the acrerage of the trails are covered by snowmaking.
Trail Map
- (m) - trail with moguls most of the time when conditions provide
- (t) - terrain park with various jumps and features including rails and halfpipes
- (n) - no snowmaking
- 6 total
- 1 quad chair
- 1 triple chair
- 2 double chairs
- 2 surface lifts
- Main Base Lodge: located at the base of the ski area
- Taconic Lodge: temporary lodge located at the bottom of the mountain near the Ridge Quad.
In the coming years, a 126 condominum complex is planned.
Discussion
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Catamount Ski Area is a
ski resortA ski area is a developed recreational facility, usually on a mountain or large hill, containing ski trails and vital supporting services. It is common for a ski area to have food, rental equipment, parking facilities and a ski lift system catering to the sports of skiing and snowboarding...
located on
Mount FrayMount Fray, , also known as Catamount because of the Catamount Ski Area located on its north slope, is a prominent peak of the south Taconic Mountains, located in southwest Massachusetts and adjacent New York. The summit is open and covered in scrub oak; it offers views west over the Hudson River...
of the
Taconic MountainsThe Taconic Mountains or Taconic Range are a physiographic section of the larger New England province and part of the Appalachian Mountains, running along the eastern border of New York State and adjacent New England from northwest Connecticut to western Massachusetts, north to central western...
in
Hillsdale, New YorkHillsdale is a town in Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 1,744 at the 2000 census.The Town of Hillsdale is at the east border of Columbia County.- History :The region was taken from the Town of Claverack in 1782...
and
South Egremont, MassachusettsEgremont is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,345 at the 2000 census. Egremont consists of two villages, North Egremont and South Egremont....
. It is one of the few remaining family-owned ski areas in New England.
History
Catamount first opened for business in 1939 with three rope tows. Decades later, Bill Gilbert and Don Edwards took over management, purchasing Catamount in 1974. Since the change in ownership, many trails and lifts have been added. In addition, snowmaking coverage has been increased from 25% to 98%.
In 2006, the summit double chairlift was replaced with a fixed grip quad chairlift.
Trails
- Skiable area:
- 32
- 10 novice - 40%
- 10 intermediate - 27%
- 12 advanced and expert - 33%
- Longest trail - Ridge Run to Upper and Lower Promenade
98% of the acrerage of the trails are covered by snowmaking.
Trail Map
| Easiest |
More Difficult |
Most Difficult and Terrain Parks |
Expert
(Use Extreme Caution) |
| Ali's Alley (n) |
Catamount |
Lower Alley Cat |
Catapult (m) |
| Cat's Meow (n) |
Chute |
Upper Alley Cat |
|
| Colonel's Caper (n) |
Mountain View |
Expressway |
|
| Esplanade |
On Stage |
Lower Glade (m) |
|
| Holiday |
Race Slope |
Sunrise (t) |
|
| Kelli's Run |
Walter's Way |
Terrain Park Training Area (t) |
|
| Kid Cats |
Ridge Run |
Upper Glade |
|
| Lower Promenade |
Lower Sidewinder |
Off Stage (m) |
|
| Upper Promenade |
Upper Sidewinder |
Terrain Park (t) |
|
| SnowSports Learning Area |
Turnpike (n) |
Halfpipe (t) |
|
|
Upper Turnpike (n) |
Junior Jib Park (t) |
|
- (m) - trail with moguls most of the time when conditions provide
- (t) - terrain park with various jumps and features including rails and halfpipes
- (n) - no snowmaking
Lifts
- 6 total
- 1 quad chair
- 1 triple chair
- 2 double chairs
- 2 surface lifts
| Surface Lifts |
Fixed Grip Triples |
Fixed Grip Quads |
Fixed Grip Doubles |
| Wonder Carpet |
Meadows Triple |
Ridge Quad |
Catamount Double |
| Kid Cats Tow |
|
|
Glade Double |
Lodges
- Main Base Lodge: located at the base of the ski area
- Taconic Lodge: temporary lodge located at the bottom of the mountain near the Ridge Quad.
Condominum development
In the coming years, a 126 condominum complex is planned. In addition to the condominiums, additional retail, dining, and recreational facilities are expected to be constructed.
Also, as said by Rich Edwards, the marketing director of Catamount:
"We do have ideas for another
double diamond or two . We would also add another diamond trail between Lower Alley Cat and Lower
Sidewinder. We will also consider a true glade trail or two in the future." - said via an email to me.
Related links
Catamount Ski Area
On The Snow - Catamount Ski Area Reviews
Catamount at About.com
Catamount at SnowCountry.com