Hitting the Road for Mount Peter

Our sign on Route 17A. Turn right here onto Old Mt Peter Road.

Hitting the road for Mount Peter is a favorite past time for many skiers and snowboarders. For many, family time in the car (watching out the window, playing games, sharing anticipation of a day on the mountain) is part of the experience.

But, before you insert the key into the ignition or push that “start” button on the car, do a quick double check. Got everything for everybody and your day? If you need some ideas, check our blog for What toBring, What to Wear, Extra Stuff to Bring and The Night Before.

One tip is that a good breakfast serves as a strong base for a day outdoors in the snow. We’ve heard of a few different routines from friends. Consider these, and see what works for your family or group.

• A hearty breakfast at home before heading out the door
• A hearty breakfast on the road before getting to Mount Peter
• A light breakfast at home or on the road followed by a hot breakfast item at the Mount Peter Café

There are as many routines for family car trips as there are families so your questions here are different than others. But here are some thoughts…

• Do you have snacks?
• Do you have movies for the video player?
• Is the iPod cable here?
• Do we have the cell phone charger?
• Paper and pen for license plate game?  
• Remember the words for 100 bottles of pop on the wall? 

If you are coming to Mount Peter from Long Island,  New York City or north/central New Jersey you’ll likely be finishing up the drive on Route 17A. When you get to 17A you’re almost here and this is one of the prettiest parts of the drive. You’ll be driving though the Highlands area of New York.  Keep your eyes peeled and you might see squirrels, deer and chipmunks in the woods.

First you’ll drive through Sterling Forest State Park, climb Sterling Ridge and then descend to GreenwoodLake (where you find your first, and only, stop sign on 17A before Mount Peter). After Greenwood Lake you’ll climb up the west side of Mount Peter . You might notice a trail sign as you near the top - the Appalachian Trail crosses here.

The Appalachian Trail runs from Georgia to Maine!

Keep your eyes on the skies and you might see turkey vultures or birds of prey like red tail hawks and bald eagles soaring the breezes that flow up Mount Peter from the Warwick Valley.

Cresting the top of the mountain, you’re only a half mile away! Look to the right and you might see our lifts. Watch for the right hand turn that leads to the parking lot. 

Our sign that points you into our driveway!

When you see this sign you're entering our driveway! You've made it! See you soon!

The Night Before

When you get up in the morning you want everything to flow smoothly into the car and onto the mountain for your day of fun. Every ounce of advance preparation will help you enjoy your day at Mount Peter that much more. Here are a few “night before” ideas that will help…

Get to bed early. A day outdoors is tiring. A day outdoors in the winter is more tiring. A day outdoors skiing or snowboarding is even more tiring. In most cases, tired kids (and adults) have less patience so a good night’s rest is a good foundation for a day of winter-time fun. 

We like to set out the gear for each person in their own separate bag the night before. Items for the group go in a group bag. This way, you can look at each person’s gear bag to make sure they have all they need packed for the day. If each bag is packed and each bag is in the car then you know all the gear you need for the day is ready to go. 

If possible, we like to put gas in the car the night before so we don’t have to make a stop in the morning. Likewise, if you print driving directions, print your directions the night before (or earlier). Speaking of the car, make sure you are not overdressed for sitting in the car while driving to the mountain. You don’t want to be overheated or start the day with damp, sweaty garments. Some people we know even keep the heat in the car lower than normal to offset the warm clothing and idea that they will be outdoors all day (conversely, they crank it up for the ride home).

Charge or check the battery in all electronic devices you intend to bring (Yes, Mount Peter has wifi in the Main Lodge!). Also, look at the amount of memory you have for pictures and videos. It would be a shame to miss capturing those special moments because of memory or charge issues that could have been avoided.

So, car is gassed up, gear is all packed for each person and their electronics are in order. Early to bed and we’ll see you in the morning!

Extra Stuff to Bring

It's important to dress right and bring the warm gear you need for a great day in the snow. A few extra things tucked in your bag will help ensure everyone's day is enjoyable.

The cold weather often gets little noses running so put a few tissues in your coat pocket. On cloudless days, the sun reflects off the white snow and can cause sunburn. Winter, for many folks, means chapped lips. Don’t forget the lip balm. And, in a pinch, many lip balms have UV block so you could smear some on your nose and cheeks to prevent sun burn. BONUS - you might just get a kiss on the cheek or nose!

Don’t forget that wind makes the temperatures feel even colder. So be prepared with more layers on a windy day.

If you have young children, here’s a tip shared by our Mountain School - “Youngsters are often motivated by stickers or small goodies such as plastic animals, toy cars, etc. Tuck a few in your pocket to use as a reward or motivator.” A nice cup of hot cocoa has been encouraging kids at Mount Peter for the past 76 years. And, finally, don’t forget the (fully charged) camera and video camera for saving and sharing memories!

If you end up at Mount Peter missing some piece of winter gear, stop by our retail shop Pete's Closet. We have a range of key items - from gloves and hats to lip balm and hand warmers - to help your day go smoothly. Snow time!