Above: Oktoberfest at Hunter Mountain. Photo from Hunter's website.
Even if your idea of a winter good time is sneering about snow from a beach lounge in the Caribbean, this is one great weekend to hit the slopes. Windham, Plattekill, Hunter, and Belleayre are all celebrating autumn, each vying for your visit with its own special blend of fall fun.
For skiers, of course, there are early-bird deals on gear and lift tickets. For everyone, there is the sublime visual experience of a skyride the Catskills in mid-autumn. And as if that weren't enough, the hospitable mountain-minders have gone all-out to plan your entertainment.
At Hunter Mountain's Oktoberfest, the bubbly Alpine sounds of Die Lustigen Almdudler and the polka of local legend Jimmy Sturr will get you in the mood for brats and brews. The event features a variety of food and craft vendors: European gifts, jewelry, cigars, fudge, olive oil and honey are just a handful. There will be a kids' tent featuring juggling, puppets, wildlife shows and more.
At Windham's Homecoming Fest, you can partake of a major tent sale from Windham Sports and a boot-fitting clinic. There will be hayrides and skyrides and gourd launching, a barbecue and a pig roast. Three bands will perform, with the funk/ska/rock of Conehead Buddha and a fireworks display winding up the evening.
Plattepalooza, Plattekill Mountain's take on the traditional autumnal blowout, brings us “ass- shakin, good-time-groovin'” rock covers with the Saratoga-based Todd's Garage on Saturday and the acoustic rock duo The Decoys on Sunday. A huge bike and ski swap meet and sale will be in progress throughout. You can thrill to the finish of a downhill bike race on Sunday and check out geocaching or disc golf for free. For the wee ones, Plattepalooza has face and pumpkin painting and a bounce house.
Belleayre promises that Smokey Bear will show up at their Fall Festival “for the first time in years.” So will a great selection of local crafters and live music, and a traditional Oktoberfest feast. Besides skyrides, Belleayre visitors can ride a zipline or slackline or fish in the fishing pond, and there's a kid's tent.
Homecoming at Windham takes place on Saturday October 6 from 1 to 9pm. Plattepalooza runs from 11am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Oktoberfest at Hunter will run from 11am to 6:15pm both days, and Belleayre's Fall Fest on both days from 10am to 5pm. All four events offer free admission and parking.
Below: Video teaser for Windham's Homecoming event this weekend.
