Articles
The Midwinter Guide
January 19, 2023
Winter Trips
Compiled and photographed by Sarah Einhorn
BeenThereDoneThatTrips.com
I love making the most of the season we are in, and my trips highlight this. In the spring, I look to visit gardens and waterfalls, which are fullest then. In the fall, I enjoy visiting mountains and seeing the rainbow of colors on the trees, and in the winter, snow and winter sports beckon me.
Many winter sports revolve around mountains (think skiing and snow tubing), but Lakewood doesn’t have mountains close by. Therefore, going on a snow tubing or skiing trip takes more time and is perfect for midwinter vacation. Outdoor ice-skating does not need to be in mountainous terrain and can be found closer to home.
Mount Peter
Warwick, New York
“Can we please come back next week?” my kids begged as we left Mount Peter ski area after their first ski experience.
At Mount Peter, free ski lessons are offered to beginners (equipment rentals and ski lift tickets are not included), and we were amazed by how each of us, from adult to teen to six-year-old, enjoyed ourselves immensely. The excellent instructors taught us the guidelines for successful skiing during the hour-long lesso. Then we continued practicing until we felt ready to tackle an easy slope.
Mount Peter also offers more advanced lessons as well as the adorable Pete’s Pals lessons for preschoolers. In addition to the beginner slopes, there are advanced slopes for experienced skiers to enjoy. The main cabin features a restaurant and adjoining pub.
Adjacent to the skiing mountain is the snow tubing park. Although we did not get to participate in the snow tubing during our visit, we got to see the hill with all the people zooming down and having a blast.
Address:
51 Old Mt. Peter Road
Warwick, New York 10990
Phone number:
845-986-4940
Hours:
Sunday 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Monday closed (open holidays 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.)
Tuesday–Thursday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
Prices:
Weekdays all day: adult $79, junior (ages 5–11) $75
Twilight Sunday (3 p.m.–closing): adult $55, junior $55
Twilight Saturday (3 p.m.–closing): $60
Weekends/holidays $35
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
2 hours
The Rink at the Rockefeller Center
New York, New York
Magical. That is the word I’d use to describe the outdoor ice-skating at Rockefeller Center. As a child on midwinter vacation days, I often joined my father in his office not far from Rockefeller Center, and I loved watching the skaters gliding across the ice in the outdoor rink. The many flags representing the United Nations add to the festive feel. The rink is not especially large and can get a bit crowded, although they do cap the number of skaters at 150. Private skating lessons are also offered.
Because of the excellent location, skating at Rockefeller Center can be combined with other activities nearby.
Address:
Rockefeller Center
600 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10020
Phone number:
212-332-7655
Hours:
Check online for public skating hours.
Prices:
Adults and children (ages 6–12) $21+. Tots (age 5 and under) $11+. Children and tots require an accompanying adult.
Group rates (15-person minimum, advanced reservations required. Not available during holiday season.): adults $17, children $12
Skate rental: $10
rockefellercenter.com
Approximate distance from Lakewood
1 hour and 30 minutes
Big SNOW American Dream
East Rutherford, New Jersey
“We’re going skiing and it’s raining,” my daughter pointed out as we drove to Big SNOW.
Everyone had a good laugh and appreciated the irony of it.
Located in the popular American Dream Mall, Big SNOW is North America’s first indoor real-snow ski and snowboard park. When we arrived, we were introduced to Big, the Big Snow Mascot, and a staff member explained the way Big SNOW works in one of the orientation “gondolas.” We were surprised to be told that snow gear such as snow pants and jackets were included with our ski rentals. This is extremely practical for anyone who wants to spend the rest of the day in the mall.
If I wouldn’t have seen the roof and walls, I would’ve believed that we were outdoors. The 180,000-square-foot area where the snowy slopes are located is kept at a steady controlled 28 degrees—a comfortable cold. It is never windy, so it never feels really freezing. The wall facing the slopes is designed to look like a lodge. Instructors were available to help guide anyone that needed it.
The Lil’ Dipper is a small hill with two magic carpets taking beginners up. The hill has lots of twists and turns to help improve the skills needed to tackle the more difficult Switchback and very difficult Northern Lights slopes. Skiers can get up the slopes either with the Big Express Quad Chairlift or standing with the Poma Lift.
At the bottom of the hill, there are some chairs where you can sit and watch the goings-on all around. Big SNOW also sells observation tickets for anyone escorting skiers but not actually skiing or snowboarding.
Big SNOW recently added sledding and snow play options for age three and up. If you don’t like skiing, this is a great option for winter fun.
Address:
1 American Dream Way, level 2
East Rutherford, New Jersey 07073
Phone number:
973-864-6600
Hours:
Sunday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Monday–Thursday 1–8 p.m.
Friday 1–9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Prices:
It is recommended to buy tickets online since it guarantees a slot and there is a discount for tickets purchased online. Prices include rental equipment.
One-day skiing for age 7 and up $89.99+tax
Three-day skiing $179.97+tax
Skiing spectator ticket $14.99+tax
Sledding admission $19.99
Sledding with outerwear rentals $39.99+tax
Glove add-on $12
Website:
Approximate distance from Lakewood
1 hour and 10 minutes
East Rutherford, New Jersey
The NHL-size ice rink in American Dream Mall beckons visitors to come and skate on the ice. The Rink and the area of the skate rentals are meticulously well-kept and clean. No food and drink are allowed in the rink area (this includes the area just outside the rink near the entrance).
Skates and helmets are available on a first-come-first-served basis. There are staff members around to help at all times, including on the ice.
The rink area is not very cold like many other ice rinks are. We really enjoyed our time on the ice. It was refreshing and fun. Only skaters are allowed into the rink area, but there are many seating areas, some with tables and some just with chairs, surrounding the rink.
The minimum age requirement for skating is three years. Children 14 years of age and under must be supervised by a parent or guardian. Children five years of age and under must be accompanied by a supervising companion on the ice.
Address:
1 American Dream Way, level 1, between the Parks Court and Court C
East Rutherford, New Jersey 07073
Phone number:
833-263-7326
Hours:
Check online for the current hours
Prices:
All online ticket purchases for The Rink include skate rentals. Tickets include entry into The Rink for one hour of skating. Valid ID matching credit card and reservation name may be requested upon entry.
Non-peak days $25, mid-peak days $29, peak days $35
Helmet rentals are free; limited quantities and sizes are available.
Website:
americandream.com/venue/the-rink
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
1 hour
Thunder Ridge Ski Area
Patterson, New York
We were so excited to squeeze in a visit to Thunder Ridge Ski Area at the end of the winter, before they closed for the season. We had both beginner and intermediate-level skiers in our group, and everyone benefited greatly from the ski school on site. The instructor was professional and gave many practical tips for each person on their level.
With 22 trails, three chairlifts, and four magic carpets, Thunder Ridge is an excellent place for all ages and levels. Since we have no real ski pros in our group, I can’t weigh in on the advanced trails, but the intermediate one that we did were phenomenal. They had just enough challenge but not too much to make it daunting or land us in a heap on the snow. We watched the advanced skiers zoom down the mountain, clearly enjoying themselves.
The chairlifts are located right by the lodge. Just walk out and hop right onto the lift and enjoy a fun ride down.
Address:
137 Birch Hill Road
Patterson, New York 12563
Phone number:
845-878-4100
Hours:
Check online for current hours.
Prices:
Prices vary; book online.
thunderridgeski.com
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
2 hours and 15 minutes
Mackay Ice Rink
Englewood, New Jersey
I wouldn’t classify Mackay Ice Rink as an outdoor ice rink, but neither would I say that it is an indoor rink. The rink is located under a roof in the Mackay Park in Englewood, but it is open-air at the sides as the walls are not closed, giving it an outdoor feel.
The rink, which is located within Mackay Park, is part of the park and run by the parks department. They offer lessons, public skating, hockey programs, and rink rentals for private groups and events. A party room for celebrations is available as well.
The rink does not offer walkers for the children, but they do have construction cones for children to hold onto as they learn to maneuver themselves on the ice. There are some bleachers outside the rink where family and friends can sit and watch the skaters.
Address:
130 West Englewood Avenue
Englewood, New Jersey 07631
Phone number:
201-568-3133
Hours:
Check online for current schedule. Skaters must register online.
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
1 hour and 15 minutes
Campgaw Mountain Snow Tubing
Mahwah, New Jersey
Since I was a child, Campgaw Mountain has been my favorite snow tubing place. It is decently priced and well located. It is not very high in the mountains, so it is generally warmer than other places but just as much fun.
Campgaw’s Snow Tubing Park has a 650-foot carpet lift which goes up the mountain at an excellent pace. Only a limited number of tickets are sold per session to avoid long waits.
“Flying down the mountain” is the only way I can think of to describe the exciting sensation of snow tubing. It is so much fun that you just want to go again and again. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall. Each rider must go on their own tube. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance online since they tend to sell out quickly.
Campgaw also offers skiing near the tubing hills. There is a cozy indoor snack bar with a fire in the center where visitors can warm up if they need to.
Address:
200 Campgaw Road
Mahwah, New Jersey 07430
Phone number:
201-327-7800
Hours:
Check the website for hours.
Prices:
Sunday $36
Monday–Thursday $31 regular, $36 holidays
Friday $33
Limited number of tickets available for January 30 for $25 through this link: https://beentheredonethattrips.com/snow-tubing-event-signup/
Website:
skicampgaw.com
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
1 hour and 25 minutes
Ice Rink—Bear Mountain State Park
Highlands, New York
Refreshing, invigorating, and intoxicating mountain air coupled with gliding on ice with mountains as the backdrop equals divine. There’s nothing like ice-skating outdoors on a winter day. Although the thermometer posted outside read 40 degrees when we were there, it felt much warmer. The sun was shining, and we kept peeling off the layers until we were wearing just sweaters.
Outdoor ice-skating is so much more refreshing and enjoyable than indoor skating. It feels airy and not inhibiting. The ice-skating at Bear Mountain has an especially relaxed pace since it is not located in the city but rather out in the mountains.
There is also an excellent sledding hill right near the rink.
Address:
Across the merry-go-round at Bear Mountain State Park
Route 9W North
Bear Mountain, New York 10911
Phone number:
845-786-2701 ext. 266
Hours:
Check the website for hours.
Prices:
Admission $5, children age 4 and under free
Skate rental $10
Parking $10
bearmountainicerink.com
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
1 hour and 50 minutes
Bryant Park Ice Skating and Winter Village
New York, New York
I have a soft spot for outdoor ice-skating. There is nothing like skating in the fresh air. When the rink is an oasis in Manhattan with tall buildings all around, it is an incredible experience. We even spotted the Empire State Building while skating.
The rink was quite full when we visited one Sunday, but skating tickets are timed to make sure it is not too crowded. Each skating session has three to four groups of skaters, and entry to and exit from the rink are staggered to avoid crowding at doors and gates. Only ticketed skaters are allowed into the rink area; family members must wait outside the rink area.
There are skates for rent at the rink. Adorable skate assistants in the shape of penguins or snowmen can be rented for an additional fee.
Lockers are not available due to covid-19, but a shoe bag with drawstrings is provided with each skate rental so skaters can wear their shoes in the backpack-style bag. Bags and strollers can be checked in for an additional fee.
The whole Bryant Park Winter Village has a festive feel, with shops and restaurants set up throughout the park. Igloo-like clear, heated domes with comfortable seating are available for rent.
Address:
Fifth Avenue between West 40th and West 42nd Streets
New York, New York 10018
Phone number:
917-438-5166
Hours:
8 a.m.–10 p.m., select weekend and holidays 8–12 a.m.
Prices:
Admission: free.
Skate rentals $15–$50. Save on rentals by visiting during off-peak hours and dates.
Premium Skate $135+, includes skate concierge, snacks and beverage, access to Polar Lounge, skate rentals, bag check, and extended ice time
Skate aid rental $22+
Helmet rental $6
Socks $6
Skate sharpening $20 for 24-hour turnaround, $30 same day
Bag check $5 per item, $15 per oversized item (e.g., stroller or piece of luggage)
Backpacks or any kind of bag are not allowed on the ice. Unattended stroller parking is available. Space may be limited, so it is first come, first served.
Website:
bryantpark.org
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
1 hour and 15 minutes
Howell Ice Arena
Farmingdale, New Jersey
If you prefer to stay local but still want to have some winter-inspired fun, the Howell Ice Arena right near Lakewood has hours of public skating to enjoy.
Address:
269 Squankum Road
Farmingdale, New Jersey 07727
Phone number:
732-919-7800
Hours:
Check online for current hours and to register.
Prices:
Admission $10, skate rental $5
Website:
howellicearena.com
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
15 minutes