The sun shining through the trees, the fresh mountain air on your face, and you, enjoying the day carving into the fresh powdery snow. All of this just minutes from the New York City metro area? Yes! If you’re looking for a beginner friendly mountain, with excellent snow making, and a great ski and snowboard school, look no further than Campgaw Mountain Ski Area in New Jersey! Read on for the all the details you need to know before jumping on the slopes at one of the best, family friendly ski areas in New Jersey!
Highlights of Campgaw Mountain Ski Area in New Jersey
- 12 Trails
- 23 acres of skiable terrain
- 100% snowmaking capacities on all 23 acres!
- 5 Lifts
- 14 acres of night skiing, 7 days a week
- Top notch ski and snowboard school
- Snow tubing
Where is Campgaw Mountain Ski Area in New Jersey?
Campgaw Mountain Ski Area is located in Mahwah, New Jersey which is in northern Bergen County. For those unfamiliar with New Jersey, this is right outside the New York City metro area! 18 miles from the George Washington Bridge to be exact! What could be more perfect? A visit to NYC topped off with the best skiing and snowboarding New Jersey has to offer! Some other distances include:
- Newark, New Jersey – 48 minutes, 28 miles
- Brooklyn, New York – 1.5 hours, 40 miles
- Long Island, New York – 2 hours, 76 miles
- Poughkeepsie, New York – 1 hour, 63 miles
- New Haven, Connecticut – 1 hr 45 mins, 87 miles
Does Campgaw Mountain Ski Area have lodging?
Campgaw Mountain does not have its own lodging, but it’s proximity to New York City makes it a MUST on the to-do list when visiting the Big Apple. If you’re looking to stay more local there are a variety of hotels in Mahwah, about a 10 minute drive from Campgaw Mountain Ski Area! Skiers and boarders can choose from the Homewood Suites by Hilton to more budget hotels like Super 8.
Does Campgaw Mountain Ski Area have night skiing?
Absolutely! Campgaw offers night skiing 7 days a week! Night skiing is one of the top features of Campgaw Mountain. Campgaw offers 14 acres of night skiing, making it a great choice for locals looking to get in some pow at the end of the day, or for visitors looking to experience the unique sensation of skiing under the lights!
The Best Time to Go to Campgaw Mountain to Ski or Snowboard
Because of its close proximity to New York City and surrounding neighborhoods, Campgaw Mountain Ski Area is a perfect destination for an afternoon or a night of skiing. On the weekends it can get a bit crowded so if you do not have a season pass be sure to arrive early to purchase lift tickets or to stop by the rental shop!
Pro Tip: Campgaw offers great afterschool learn to ski programs for local kids, so weekday afternoons can get a bit busy. Choose a weekday morning for the freshest powder and uncrowded lifts.
Does Campgaw Mountain Have a Ski Shop?
Yes! In the main lodge at the base of Campgaw there is a ski and snowboard rental shop that provides daily and even seasonal rentals! The main lodge is also equipped with a cafeteria / snack bar for a well deserved treat after shredding it up all day on the freshly made snow.
Is Campgaw Mountain Ski Area Good for Beginners?
It could be said that Campgaw Mountain Ski Area is the perfect mountain for beginners in New Jersey. Not only are most trails beginner and intermediate friendly, Campgaw offers the highest level of ski and snowboard instruction for all ages! Their Cruisers Program aimed at young skiers ages 4-6 teaches the basics of skiing and gets kids comfortable on skis through fun games and group learning. The Mountain Master’s program for skiers and boarders ages 7 and up is divided into 3 distinct levels, making it a perfect program for beginner and intermediate riders as well as advanced learners wishing to fine tune some skills.
Does Campgaw Mountain Make Snow?
Absolutely! Campgaw Mountain is a prime snowmaking mountain. They have snow making capacities on all 23 acres of skiable terrain! This way, Campgaw Mountain always has the best ski conditions regardless of local snowfall.
The Trails at Campgaw Mountain – What to Know
According to the official trail map, Campgaw Mountain Ski Area has 12 named trails including the 2 learning center trails. The breakdown is as follows:
- 59% beginner
- 25% advanced
- 16% expert
Key Takeaway: Over half of Campgaw Mountain’s runs are coded as “green circles” or beginner friendly terrain, making it a perfect mountain for beginners and kids! But don’t be fooled! If you’re looking for some more advanced runs, try heading to the top of Chair Lift 2. There you can find some expert runs such as Upper Lift Line Trail and Upper Lenape.
What Can I Do at Campgaw Aside From Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding?
If you’re looking for some winter fun but don’t feel like skiing or snowboarding, Campgaw has the activity for you! Snow tubing! Campgaw Mountain has some of the best snow tubing runs in New Jersey! Campgaw offers snow tubing day and night, 7 days a week! So no matter your schedule you’ll be able to find a 1 or 2 hour session that works for you. Snow tubing is a super fun, family-friendly activity that’s exciting for everyone! And the best part is, no special skills are required! Just some warm clothes and the spirit of adventure.
Campgaw has a variety of snow tubing runs, some with more pitch than others and some with rollers! A surface or “magic carpet” lift effortlessly brings you back to the top when you’re ready to go again. It definitely beats sledding any day!
Pro Tip: Snow tubing at Campgaw Mountain is one of the most popular winter activities and only an allotted number of tickets are sold per session. Buying tickets online a few days in advance is highly encouraged!
Is There Summer Mountain Biking at Campgaw Ski Area?
Campgaw Ski Area does not offer summer mountain biking but there are many unique summer activities available in the Campgaw Mountain Reservation. Some activities include disc golf, hiking, archery (with required permit) and overnight camping (also with a permit). A short 10 minute drive from Campgaw leads you to the Ramapo Valley County Reservation where summer visitors can walk along the many nature paths surrounding the MacMillan Reservoir.
Key takeaway: The Campgaw Mountain Reservation and surrounding area offer unique activities year round in an idyllic wooded setting.
Final Thoughts
Didn’t think you could get in some excellent skiing or riding just minutes outside of New York City? Think again! Campgaw Mountain Ski Area is the prime spot for skiing and snowboarding in New Jersey. Their extended hours allow for locals and visitors alike to experience the mountain-fresh air day or night. Campgaw Mountain’s renowned ski and snowboard school makes it an excellent mountain for kids, beginners and skill sharpeners of all levels! Not much into skiing or snowboarding but still would like a winter get-away? No worries! Campgaw Mountain has snow tubing every day for some laid back fun!
Let us know your favorite trails at Campgaw Mountain Ski Area in the comments below! We can’t wait to see you on the mountain!
