If you haven't been to the Catskills in a few years, you’re in for a shock when you pull into the lot at the place formerly known as Windham Mountain. It isn't just a name change. It’s a total shift in identity. The rebranding to Windham Mountain Club sparked a massive firestorm among locals and long-time pass holders, and honestly, the dust is still settling. People were worried it was becoming a gated community for the Manhattan elite. Some of those fears were right. Some were a bit dramatic. But if you're planning a trip to Windham Mountain Club, you need to know exactly what the "private club" vibe means for a day tripper who just wants to rip some turns.
The mountain is still open to the public. That's the first thing everyone asks. You can still buy a lift ticket, but it's not like the old days where you’d roll up on a Saturday morning and hope for the best. They’ve capped daily tickets significantly. It’s expensive. Like, really expensive. We are talking about a strategy aimed at reducing crowds to ensure that the people who do pay can actually ski instead of standing in a 20-minute line at the Wheelchair Double.
The Reality of the "Private" Shift
When the new ownership group, which includes hospitality heavyweights like the Beall family (founders of Ruby Tuesday) and Kemmons Wilson Cos., took over, they didn't hide their intentions. They wanted to create a luxury experience that rivals the high-end clubs in the Rockies or the Alps. This meant a $70 million+ investment in the property.
Wait, $70 million? Yeah.
That money went into automated snowmaking, which, to be fair, is a godsend in the unpredictable Northeast. It also went into the "Club" side of things—exclusive dining, a spa, fitness centers, and year-round amenities like golf and tennis. If you aren't a member, you don't see most of that. You see the renovated base lodge and the improved grooming. You see a mountain that feels less like a chaotic public park and more like a curated resort.
Is it elitist? Maybe. But from a purely technical skiing perspective, the reduced capacity is a game-changer. There is nothing worse than the "Catskill Conga Line" on a narrow trail. By limiting the number of bodies on the hill, Windham Mountain Club has effectively fixed the biggest problem with New York skiing: the crowds.
Technical Specs and the Terrain Breakdown
Let's talk about the actual hill. Windham has a 1,600-foot vertical drop. For the East Coast, that’s respectable. It’s spread across two peaks. You have 54 trails.
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Most people gravitate toward the West Peak. It’s where the high-speed lifts live. The East Peak is a bit more "old school," but it’s often where you find the best snow late in the day because it doesn't get hammered quite as hard.
- For the Experts: Honestly, Windham isn't Whiteface. It doesn't have those terrifying, icy chutes that make your knees shake. But it does have Wheelchair. It’s steep, it’s usually bumped up, and it’ll give your quads a workout. Wider Than High is another one that offers some decent pitch.
- For the Cruisers: This is where Windham shines. Trails like Upper and Lower Wilbur or Warpath are wide-open boulevards. If the grooming team has been out (and they usually have), these are perfect for laying down edges.
- For the Kids: The learning area is separate enough that you don't have to worry about a "Jerry" flying off a black diamond and taking out a toddler.
One thing that people often overlook is the snowmaking. Windham has historically been one of the first to open and the last to close in the region. They have a massive pond and a literal army of snow guns. Even when the rest of the Catskills looks like a muddy backyard, Windham usually has a decent ribbon of white.
The Logistics: Getting There and Staying There
Windham is about two and a half to three hours from New York City. It’s an easy drive. Straight up the Thruway to Exit 21.
Parking used to be a nightmare. It's better now, mostly because there are fewer people allowed on the mountain at once. But you still want to get there early. If you're staying overnight, you have options, but they aren't cheap anymore. The Wylder Windham is the trendy spot right now—it’s got that "restored vintage motel" look that Instagram loves. Then there’s the Albergo Allegria, which is a bit more traditional and cozy.
Dining has leveled up, too. Gone are the days of just greasy burgers and lukewarm fries. Well, you can still get a burger, but now you can also get a Mediterranean bowl or a high-end steak. The Cinque Terre inspired dining at the base is part of that $70 million glow-up. It’s good food. It’s just priced like it’s in Midtown Manhattan.
Is the Epic or Ikon Pass Useful Here?
No. And that’s a huge point of contention. Windham Mountain Club is independent. They aren't on the Epic Pass. They aren't on the Ikon Pass.
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They were on the Ikon Pass for a while, but they pulled out as part of the transition to a more exclusive model. This was the "shot heard 'round the Catskills." It effectively severed the ties with the weekend warrior crowd who buys one pass to ski everywhere. If you want to ski Windham, you pay Windham.
They do participate in the Indy Pass, but with heavy restrictions. Check the blackouts before you even think about showing up with one. If you're a serious local, you're looking at their own membership tiers, which are... let's just say they require a healthy bank account.
What Most People Get Wrong About Windham
There’s a rumor that you "can't ski there anymore" unless you're a member. That is false. You absolutely can.
What has changed is the experience. It’s no longer a "budget" mountain. If you want a cheap day on the slopes, you go to Belleayre (which is state-run and fantastic) or you head to Hunter (which is on the Epic Pass and gets incredibly crowded).
Windham is positioning itself as the "luxury" alternative. You pay a premium to NOT stand in line. You pay a premium for a clean lodge. You pay a premium for a parking spot that isn't three miles away.
The Controversy: Why the Locals are Mad
You can't talk about Windham without mentioning the tension in the town. For decades, Windham was a town-centric mountain. The locals felt a sense of ownership. When the new management arrived and started talking about "curated luxury" and "private memberships," a lot of people felt pushed out.
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The town of Windham is small. It’s charming. It has one main street. The fear is that the mountain’s shift will turn the town into an enclave where only the ultra-wealthy can afford to eat or live. It’s a classic mountain town struggle, seen in Aspen, Jackson Hole, and now, the Catskills.
However, the investment is undeniable. The mountain is in the best shape it’s been in for years. The infrastructure is solid. The question is whether the soul of the mountain survived the rebranding. For some, it didn't. For others, the lack of 30-minute lift lines is worth any price.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're actually going to go, don't just wing it. Follow these steps to ensure you don't waste a ton of money or end up frustrated:
- Book your lift tickets at least two weeks in advance. Since they cap daily tickets, they sell out fast, especially on holiday weekends. If you show up at the window, you might get turned away.
- Download the app. It sounds corporate, but the Windham app actually has decent real-time trail status and grooming maps.
- Eat early or late. The lunch rush in the public areas is still a thing, even with the caps. Aim for an 11:00 AM lunch or wait until 2:00 PM.
- Check the wind hold status. Windham is... well, it’s in the name. It gets windy. The high-speed lifts are sensitive. If a big front is moving through, check their social media or the app before you leave the house.
- Explore the Town of Windham. Don't just stay at the resort. Go to Vesuvio for Italian food or hit up Higher Grounds for coffee. The local businesses still need your support, and they provide the flavor that the resort’s new "curated" vibe sometimes misses.
Windham Mountain Club is at a crossroads. It’s trying to be the Yellowstone Club of the East, but it still has its roots in a gritty New York ski town. Whether that hybrid model works long-term is yet to be seen, but for now, it remains the most polished—and most polarizing—skiing experience in the Catskills.
If you want a rugged, "soul of skiing" experience, you might find it a bit too sanitized. But if you're tired of being elbowed in the ribs by teenagers in a lift line and you don't mind paying for the privilege of space, it’s probably exactly what you’re looking for. Just bring your credit card. You’re going to need it.