ACTIVITIES

SKIING: Mountain Creek is most well known for its ski and snowboard slopes, and rightfully so. Stretching across four peaks, the ski and snowboard area features over forty-five trails and 1,000 feet of vertical drop. Advanced skiers will be tested by "Pipeline," while snowboarders should head to the "Superpipe" ­ if only to watch! Beginner skiers will find a wide variety of longer, gentler trails. Not ready to head home after a full day on the slopes? Not to worry, Mountain Creek has night skiing until 10 PM!

WATERPARK: Warm weather brings even more options for visitors. The Mountain Creek Waterpark opens in early June and remains open through mid-September. Built at the base of the mountain, the waterpark makes full use of the surrounding topography. The "H2-OH-NO" speed slide, for example, drops ninety-nine thrilling feet, while "Bombs Away" culminates in a twenty-foot drop into a deep pool. Less vertically inclined? Whitewater fun can be had on "Colorado River," or head to the "Lost Island Sand Box" to create the perfect sandcastle.

BIKING: Between May and October, bikers pedal to Mountain Creek's Diablo Freeride Park. Open weekends only, bikers can ride uphill the easy way, hopping on a lift that will whisk them to the upper reaches of Mountain Creek's trails. Full day lift tickets start at $28, and lessons are $49 for two hours (reservations required). Cross-country trail access can be had for $8, and rentals are available for $99 - $149 per day, including all safety gear. Rocket down the mountain just for the thrill of it!

SURROUNDING AREA: And speaking of thrills...Try jumping out of an airplane with Skydive Sussex, open April through November. Tuesday through Sunday, Skydive Sussex welcomes newcomers for tandem jumps. Discounts are offered for groups of five or more.

Afraid of heights? Try heading below ground. The Sterling Hill Mining Museum in nearby Ogdensburg, is a National Historic Site and features a quarter mile of tunnel. Open April through November, seven days a week, Sterling Hill offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about metal mining. Visitors to Sterling Hill will also be treated to a fluorescent mineral display.

Golfers can hit the links at one of the many nearby courses. Ballyowen, Wild Turkey and Crystal Springs are all rated in the top twenty of public courses in New Jersey.

Fall is magnificent in the Skylands Region. Hikers will enjoy a stretch of the Appalachian Trail, and kids of all ages will love apple and pumpkin picking at the farms dotting the hillsides. Warwick Valley is also home to a number of fine wineries, any of which would be happy to provide you with a tasting!

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LODGING

Accommodation options at Mountain Creek range from onsite condos to nearby bed and breakfasts.

After a long day on the slopes, retire to Black Creek Sanctuary (left). Located at the foot of the mountain, Black Creek Sanctuary offers one, two, or three bedroom townhouses. Each condo is fully furnished with a complete kitchen, digital cable, high-speed internet access and gas fireplace. Guests at Black Creek Sanctuary can take advantage of the outdoor pool area, featuring the perfect aprés ski accouterment - a hot tub that stays open year-round! In the warmer months guests can take advantage of one of the outdoor grills, or fire up the communal firepit for a round of s'mores.

Flanking Black Creek Sanctuary, Black Creek flows slowly towards the Wallkill River and provides an ideal bird habitat. While a bird blind is available on a nearby trail, guests may find the bird watching to be even better from their outdoor deck. During the winter, a shuttle runs from Black Creek Sanctuary to ski lifts. In the summertime guests can enjoy a short walk to the mountain on a wooded path.

Winter rates at Black Creek Sanctuary start at $229 per night, with summer, late fall and early spring rates slightly less. Mountain Creek provides a number of packages for guests of Black Creek Sanctuary. The winter Ski & Stay Package starts at $122 per person and includes a one-night stay and an unlimited lift ticket. Similarly, the Waterpark Package starts at $60 per person and includes a pass to the waterpark. Golfers should inquire about the Golf & Stay Package, starting at $122 per person per night. The Family Value Vacation, includes overnight lodging and discounted tickets to nearby attractions including the Space Farms Zoo, Sterling Hill Mine, Franklin Mineral Museum, Jersey Cardinals minor league baseball games. Custom value vacations are also available.

Mountain Creek's expansion plans include a large hotel at the base of the mountain. By the summer of 2005 the first one hundred rooms of The Appalachian will be complete and ready for guests, with the remainder of the hotel and nearby Village at Mountain Creek to follow.

Nearby lodging options are numerous and varied. The Alpine Haus Bed & Breakfast Inn (left), dating back to the late 1900s, features ten comfortable rooms and it is adjacent to the mountain. Ten minutes from Mountain Creek, The Glenwood House Bed & Breakfast offers Victorian rooms or cottage suites ­ all with their own fireplace and whirlpool tub. For a complete spa or golf experience, head to the Crystal Springs Golf & Spa Resort in Hamburg.

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DINING

Dining options at Mountain Creek itself include everything from sandwiches to burgers and ribs, to pizza and salads. Indoor and outdoor dining are available - nothing fancy, just great grub! Nearby dining options include German and Continental cuisine at Stanhope's Black Forest Inn, served in a pub atmosphere. In nearby Sparta, Arthur's St. Mortiz offers dining in a casual and relaxed atmosphere, with a steak that's not to be missed.

TRANSPORTATION

CAR: Take the George Washington Bridge to Rt. 80 West, to Rt. 23 North, to Rt. 515 North. Make left at light (at Mobil Station) onto Rt. 94 South. Mountain Creek will be on your left, and parking is available on the right.

EVENTS

Mountain Creek hosts a variety of events throughout the year including concerts, contests, parties and live performances.

LINKS

www.mountaincreek.com
www.mountaincreekwaterpark.com

MAP

For a detailed map of the area near Mountain Creek, please click here.