Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25165
urban access:: TEXT: BONNIE TSUI TIRED OF STAYING ON MARKED TERRAIN? FOR THOSE WHO LOVE FLYING DOWN MOUNTAINS ON BOARDS OR TWIN BLADES, BACKCOUNTRY EXPLORATION IS A WElCOME RELEASE FROM LONG LIFT LINES AND MARKED-OFF FAVORITE RUNS THAT SAY "TRAI CLOSED." HOUR RADIUS NORTHERN CATSKILLS, NY 100 A short drive from the dirty slush lining your front stoop, you' ll find some impressive powder stashes around Hunter Mountain. Locals have always sought out off-piste ski ing adventures in these hills. Deep in the ski season, bushwhacking, sweating and poling your way out to the backcou ntry will get you around a thousand vertica l feet of challenging skiing. The hilly terra in boasts gull ies, small bowls and ravi nes t hat fill up during a good snow year. Get a guide to avoid unnecessary frustrat ion when hunting for trails on the nonresort side of Hunter. Take Interstate 87 to exit 20 at Saugerties. Then take Route 32 North to Route 32A West into Palenvil le. Hop onto Route 23A West into the town of Hunter. You can also catch a bus from Blades Board and Skate in Manhatta n. Call 212-477-7350 or 212-787-39 11 for more information. Access points to state lands vary with the snow cover. For more informat ion, guides and snow cond itions, contact Catskill Backcountry Ski Tours, 518-589-6989, www.catskil l-bcski.com. or Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl, 518-263-4223 (800-FOR-SNOW, for snow condi- tions), www.huntermtn .com. ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS, NY This 133-mile- long Northville-Placid Trail is the ultimate in cross-country skiing. The tra il begins in Upper Benson and ~ powers you through the lower foothills of the Adi rondacks and ~ out to the High Peaks region, the heart of the mou ntains. ~ Skiers can tackle terrain that winds through vall eys, streams :>' and ri dges, and the more outgoing can musc le up and down ยง t he moderately mountainous territory. The views of mountain Ul ~ lakes are well worth the effort. Take Interstate 95 North to the :J George Washington Bridge. Take the Palisades Parkway to ~ Interstate 87/287 West and follow Interstate 87/287 to t he III Albany area. Take Interstate 90 West (towards Buffalo). Get off ~ at exit 27 (Amsterdam) and pick up Route 30 North to ~ Northvi ll e. Turn left at County Route 6, then turn right onto ~ Washburn and follow signs to the Northvill e- Placid Trai l. For ~ more informat ion on planning a backcountry ski or snow- Ul board tr ip, contact the Adirondack Ski Touring Coun cil, a 518-523-1365. For snow cond it ions, ca ll Lapland Lake Cross Country Ski ing at 518-863-4974. . ~ d