Mount Peter - The Friendly One

Fun for All at 3rd Annual Winter Carnival!

2012-02-28T19:13:00.000-05:00

Mount Peter's Third Annual Winter Carnival was held on Sunday, February 26, 2012.

Family friendly games, prizes, carnival treats, music and a magician made for an awesome day at the mountain.

All Winter Carnival proceeds support Team Mount Peter in the Avon Walk for
Breast Cancer. Team Mount Peter has donated almost $30,000 in the last three
years.

Winter Carnival began at noon with DJ Jay Bird's awesome sounds and carnival fun such as water balloon toss, monkey toss, bottle stacking, face tattoos, obstacle course and other games. Max the Magician mystified all ages from 1:00pm to 2:30pm.

In addition to our regular menu, carnival favorites including pop corn, cotton candy, snow cones and funnel cakes added to the festive atmosphere.

For the adults, there was a beer race (ski down the mountain with two full
cups, person with most left in their cup at the bottom, wins), Pete's Place
Tavern specials all day and fresh BBQ pulled pork and chicken platters.

Prizes included VIP Tickets, food items, Mount Peter souvenirs and more. All that fun PLUS the best snow conditions in the area for everyon's skiing and snowboarding pleasure!

Located about an hour from New York City, Mount Peter mountain has 100% snow making capability and we make snow whenever the weather permits. Currently, we have a 15 to 70 snow base with another storm scheduled for Wednesday-Thursday!

Welcome to Holiday Week!

2012-02-21T10:43:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Holiday Week - President's Day through February 26th!
All week long we will be offering FREE beginner lessons at 10am, Noon and 2pm.
We are also open Holiday hours at Holiday Rates.

SNOW! Yes, we have it at Mount Peter!

Do we have snow? How about 15 to 70 inches of snow base!?!
So, come on out and enjoy some winter fun with us at Mount Peter in Warwick, NY.

See you on the slopes!

Winter Carnival!!

2012-02-19T22:14:00.002-05:00

Mount Peter’s Third Annual Winter Carnival takes place on February 26, 2012 from Noon to 4:00pm.

Family friendly games, prizes, carnival treats, music and a magician make for an awesome day at the mountain. All Winter Carnival proceeds support Team Mount Peter in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Team Mount Peter has donated almost $30,000 in the last three years.

Winter Carnival begins at noon with DJ Jay Bird’s awesome sounds and carnival fun such as water balloon toss, monkey toss, bottle stacking, face tattoos, obstacle course and other games. Max the Magician will mystify all ages from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. In addition to our regular menu, pop corn, cotton candy, snow cones and funnel cakes add to the festive atmosphere.

For the adults, there is a beer race (ski down the mountain with two full cups, person with most left in their cup at the bottom, wins) and Pete’s Place Tavern will be open with specials for the day. Prizes include VIP Tickets, food items, Mount Peter souvenirs and more. All that fun PLUS the best snow conditions in the area for your skiing and snowboarding pleasure!

You don’t need an area pass or lift ticket to participate in the fun at the base of the mountain so pack up the kids and head to Warwick, New York for some summer-time fun in a snowy setting.

Located about an hour from New York City, our mountain has 100% snowmaking capability and we make snow whenever the weather permits. Currently, we have a 15 to 70 snow base!
You may not see snow in your yard but we have plenty of it here at Mount Peter. So, take the day, come and play while supporting Team Mount Peter in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. mtpeter.com

Rentals 101

2012-02-02T13:23:00.000-05:00

Need to rent skis or snowboard equipment? A few easy steps and you'll be on the snow with the gear you need for skiing and riding!

We have a wide variety of ski and snowboard sizes to offer for daily rental -- boots from a child's 10 to an adult 14 and the skis, poles and snowboards to match.

Equipment Rental Form - Fill in Grey Shaded Areas

First thing you'll need to do upon arriving at the mountain is stop by the ticket Sales Office. As soon as you walk in the door there is a table with rental forms and pens.

You'll need to fill out a form for each person renting equipment. One form per person as skis and boards are sized based on the information you put on the form.

You'll fill out regular stuff like name and address as well as age, height, weight and "skier type." Skier type is a scale of I (beginner), II (intermediate) or III (advanced). This information will help our techs in the rental shop to select skis, poles and boards that will fit your size and ability as well as set the bindings on the skis you'll be using for the day.

A few of Mount Peter's friendly rental shop techs

A major credit card and licence are required as a security deposit (we don't hold your cards). Rental forms must be signed by a parent if the user is under 18 years old. Make sure your parents sign your form if they are dropping you off!

After you've completed the forms, paid for your rentals, lessons and area pass you'll head across the parking lot to the rental shop. There our techs will help you try on boots, set bindings and show you how everything works.

One more trip across the parking lot to the base of the mountain and you are on the snow and ready to go! Have a great time!

Monster Rail Jam at Mount Peter!

2012-02-02T08:32:00.000-05:00

Monster Rail Jam at Mount Peter!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Free registration in Sunrise Lodge 11am to 12pm

First Round goes off at 1pm

Under 18 years old needs parent signature!

Blizzard of January 2012!

2012-01-17T10:31:00.002-05:00

What Happens when Mother Nature gets stingy with snow? We make our own!!

Pole mounted snow maker

Over the weekend, we created our own "Blizzard of January 2012" at Mount Peter in Warwick, New York. Starting Friday afternoon, January 13, our Mountain Operations crew went on a snow making frenzy. Over 60 hours of non-stop snow making opened new terrain and covered the mountain with a fresh blanket of the white stuff. That may sound like an easy task, but as you will see here, there is a lot more involved than meets the eye.

Mount Peter's snowmaking system is a vital part of the ski area's overall operation. Snowmaking allows the area to open earlier (Dec 24, 2011), and remain open even during very warm periods. The system allows our snowmaking crew (the BEST In the region) to lay down snow where the area needs it most, and to control the quality of the snow.

Snowmaking, basically, is the process of breaking water into very small droplets, and then freezing those droplets, forming snow. The resulting product is a small pellet around 50-100 microns in size. The snow that is made is similar to snow that has been drifted, or blown around. Manmade is generally more dense than natural snow, and that means it is usually more durable, and will hold up longer on a ski run than natural snow.

A snow making machine in action!

So how does Mount Peter create the perfect snow product? Mount Peter has over 20 snow making machines. They work by using a fan to move a high volume of air. Nozzles located on the snow maker spray small droplets of water into a frigid air column. The droplets are frozen as they move through the air column before falling back to the ground. The resulting snow is then moved and groomed with our grooming machine so it's ready for your enjoyment

So, yes, we have SNOW!!! No gimmicks, just lots of snow!!!

Meet Our Staff - Thor Mountain School

2012-01-13T07:37:00.003-05:00

Thor - Mount Peter Ski & Snowboard Instructor and more!

Thor
Mountain School & Ski Patrol
Employed since 2007-08 season

Ski or snowboard? Both- plus telemark skiing!

Where did you learn to ski? I learned to ski here at Mount Peter when I was four years old. Rob Gallo (now Mount Peter's Alpine Programs Director) was my instructor!

What is your favorite run? Rim Run

Tell us something about your role here at Mount Peter. I am an instructor for skiing and snowboarding. I also run clinics for our Mountain School instructors. I started helping ski patrol last season and I am working on my OEC/EMT certification now.

Thor in the reflection of a friends goggles.

What is your favorite Mount Peter memory? When I was a kid, one year there were people here giving out free Mountain Dew. Probably nobody remembers that, it was a long time ago, but that was a lot of fun!

Make Your Child LOVE Skiing and Snowboarding

2012-01-10T09:52:00.000-05:00

Sliding down a snow covered mountain on a plank or two is the greatest thing on earth! To share the joy with your beginning skier or snowboarder here are some tips from Greg, a long-time snow lover, father of two, snowboard instructor and Mount Peter Mountain Services rep.

Before jumping in the car, a few simple gear selections will help everyone enjoy the day. Temperatures range widely from daybreak to closing as the sun moves around Mount Peter. Dress in layers so you can easily add or remove insulation. A wicking material next to the skin followed by pile or wool is best. Avoid cotton. It holds moisture and makes your kid cold.

Keeping your head warm with a hat and your body toasty is very important! Finally, mittens with elastic around the wrists are best. Pull them up and OVER the jacket sleeves – NOT mittens first, then jacket over…. Inevitably, kids pull the mittens off. It’s difficult to remove the jacket mid-mountain to put mittens back on.

As a father, I recommend lessons. In my case, a “neutral third party” got the message through to my kids when I could not. If you choose to invest in lessons, make the most of them. Visit the potty before the start so time isn’t wasted in the restroom. Likewise, be early for lessons. Beginners can be intimidated by the activity on the mountain; starting calmly and on time will help them get the most out of it.

Remember, young kids are not as strong or coordinated as adults. They simply can’t move long, heavy skis or a board like we do… Instead, let them “feel” what they should do rather than explaining. Move their skis FOR them, bend their knees FOR them. Sometimes, they REALLY can’t do it or they’re just plain tired. Try to realize when this is and switch gears.

When we adults are enjoying the snow it’s easy to forget our kids get tired quickly. An hour of snow-time followed by an hour of lessons is not “a really good time” for some youngsters. After an hour and a half most kids are getting tired, hungry and not able to concentrate. Take frequent snack breaks, then get back out there. (There are some good ideas on this blog about extra goodies to bring that will help your day outside.)

Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Sometimes the best days on the mountain are spent drinking cocoa, making jokes and splashing snow while the lift rolls by. If you make the day about their fun now, you’ll secure your own fun (with them too!) for years to come.

Make Your Child LOVE Skiing and Snowboarding was originally printed in Mount Peter's Fall 2011 Mountain Times newsletter.

Meet Our Staff - Chris Ski Patrol

2012-01-06T18:46:00.000-05:00

Chris - Mount Peter Ski Patrol, Crew Chief

Chris
Ski Patrol Crew Chief
Employed since 2002

Ski or Snowboard? Ski
When did you start skiing? When I was 16 years old.
Where did you learn to ski / ride? Bobcat Ski Center in Andes, New York. My friend’s family had a cabin up there and they taught me to ski there.
What’s your favorite run at Mount Peter? St. Pete’s
Patrol training is pretty rigorous. Please tell us about it. A patrollers training begins with a year spent “shadowing” an experienced ski patroller. Then there is 100 hours of medical training which takes about three months to complete. Then of course, there’s the ski ability component. We train every week on what we call “S&T” which means ski and toboggan.

Lunch time in the patrol shed at Mt Peter.

Tell us something we wouldn't know about Ski Patrol. We have 28 to 36 patrollers who come from wide range of backgrounds - carpenters, plumbers, entrepreneurs, Secret Service and IRS agents, a pastor’s wife – we all get along great and work well together. We have a tradition of sharing lunch at the patrol shed on the top of the mountain. One time lunch was a full turkey dinner. Another time was surf and turf. I guess you could say it’s a friendly competition.

Torch Light Parade at Mount Peter 2011

What’s one of your favorite Mount Peter memories? Last year we did the first torchlight parade to celebrate Mount Peter’s 75th anniversary and to commorate Charlie Booth's service to the mountain and its guests. Charlie was on the Mount Peter Ski Patrol for over fifty years. We had about 60 flares going. The parade went from top to bottom. We had staff from all over the mountain join. A friend who lives on a hillside facing Mount Peter called me to see if we were having a torch parade. You could see it from across the valley. It was a special night.

Photo Credit: Torch light parade via Straus Newspapers http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2011/03/25/warwick_advertiser/news/4.txt

Holiday Week Happiness at Mount Peter!

2012-01-03T07:43:00.000-05:00

WOW! What a terrific Holiday Week we had! Skiing and snowboarding on a 10 to 20 inch base on a variety of trails! Many smiling faces and sunny days!

Being so close to New York City, we heard a wide variety of languages spoken on the slopes, in the lodge and at the base. We met people from near (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) and far (Texas, California and Florida) -- as well as VERY FAR (Bogota, Colombia and New South Wales, Australia).

Check out our Facebook page for more pictures of our Holiday Week fun!

The cold weather is back and we started making snow last night! Mother nature is starting to cooperate and it is going to be an awesome winter! If you haven't been up to Mount Peter yet this winter, plan some time to visit. We are now open for night skiing and riding. Visit our website for rates and times. See you soon!

Meet Our Staff - Ryan Guest Services

2011-12-29T22:01:00.001-05:00

Ryan - Mount Peter Guest Services

Ryan

Guest Services

Employed since: 08/09 season

Ski or Snowboard? Both!

When did you start skiing / snowboarding? Ski-4 Board-12

Where did you learn to ski / ride? Ski- Orange County Park, Davos Ski Area Board-Vernon Valley/Great Gorge

What’s your favorite run at Mount Peter? River Bottom, of course! (Terrain Park)

Any advice that would help me get on the mountain efficiently? Get to the Ski Area early, always early!

Guest services entails both in the office and on the mountain assistance for visitors. Tell us something about your position we wouldn't know about: I have an ‘on the move’ open door policy to my 'office'! I’m always around to answer any questions you may have.

What’s your favorite Mount Peter memory? Mount Peter's 75^th year Anniversary spring rally celebration! It was a great day all around but to cap it off with the torch light parade down the mountain... being a part of that was pretty special.

There's Snow at Mount Peter!

2011-12-28T08:26:00.003-05:00

Each week on our Facebook Page we have the "Tuesday Test." In a nutshell, we post a picture taken at Mount Peter and you try to tell us what/where you think it is.

Our last "test" on December 27 was a cropped picture of our shiny red PistenBully snow grooming machine.

For those of you who are interested, we wanted to give you a little more detail about it because it's actually a pretty cool piece of equipment. Here's the whole image...

Our PistenBully is Awesome!

As a skier or rider at Mount Peter you likely won't see this machine out working. You can tell it does most of its work after hours by the large lights on the top and sides.

Youngsters compared to us (Mount Peter opened in 1936), PistenBulley started making snow grooming machines in 1969. The key features - low center of gravity, maneuverability and wide tracks - allow it to groom straight up the steepest terrain including Dynamite and Wild West.

Dynamite! - Photo from 12/26/2011

This machine and all our other snow making equipment is nothing without our dedicated Mountain Operations team.

Like the PistenBully, you likely won't see many of them while you're skiing or snowboarding at Mount Peter. A snow makers "day" usually starts when the sun goes down and ends around sunrise.

Mother Nature has been testing our patience so far this year. When you look out your window there's no snow on the ground. But rest assured, there is snow for skiing and snowboarding at Mount Peter in nearby Warwick, New York thanks to these hard working guys.

So, here's a shout out to our snow makers! Thanks for making the best snow in the region!

Meet Our Staff - Sam Cafe Manager

2011-12-18T22:36:00.004-05:00

Sam

Café Manager

Mount Peter

Employed since 2006

Ski or Snowboard?

Ski AND Snowboard

When did you start skiing / snowboarding?

I started skiing at age two.

Where did you learn to ski AND ride?

Mount Peter

What’s your favorite run at Mount Peter?

Outback

What’s your favorite food at the café?

Pretzel

What’s your favorite Mount Peter memory?

During my first year working in the café we lost our overnight cleaning crew. The customer service staff and café staff came together and worked nights after closing to keep the café running smoothly. It was fun to join forces, work together and make a success!

Tell us something people don’t know about the Café.

All the tips we collect in the tip jar are donated to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Ideas for Your First Time Skiing or Snowboarding

2011-12-07T07:56:00.002-05:00

Warm and happy is the only way to enjoy your day skiing or snowboarding. A few simple things will help increase your comfort and maximize your time at Mount Peter. Read our posts What to Wear and What to Bring for suggestions to keep you comfortable for a day on the mountain.

Some extras to pack for a ski or snowboard trip with kids.

It's important to dress right and bring the warm gear you need for a great day in the snow. Our post, Extra Stuff to Bring, outlines some extra things to tuck in your bag to help ensure everyone's day is enjoyable.

Check list for a day of skiing or snowboarding!

When you get up in the morning you want everything to flow smoothly into the car and onto the mountain for your day of fun. Every ounce of advance preparation will help you enjoy your day at Mount Peter that much more. Here are a few “night before” ideas that will help you get out the door with all the gear you need for fun!

The sign to our little piece of winter wonderland.

Hitting the road for Mount Peter is a favorite past time for many skiers and snowboarders. For many, family time in the car (watching out the window, playing games, sharing anticipation of a day on the mountain) is part of the experience. Here are some Tips for the drive to Mount Peter!

We're located in Warwick, NY, just about an hour from the New York - New Jersey metro area. Here are driving directions. See you soon!

Hitting the Road for Mount Peter

2011-12-03T13:09:00.005-05:00

Our sign on Route 17A. Turn right here onto Old Mt Peter Road.

But, before you insert the key into the ignition or push that “start” button on the car, do a quick double check. Got everything for everybody and your day? If you need some ideas, check our blog for What toBring, What to Wear, Extra Stuff to Bring and The Night Before.

One tip is that a good breakfast serves as a strong base for a day outdoors in the snow. We’ve heard of a few different routines from friends. Consider these, and see what works for your family or group.

A hearty breakfast at home before heading out the door
A hearty breakfast on the road before getting to Mount Peter
A light breakfast at home or on the road followed by a hot breakfast item at the Mount Peter Café

There are as many routines for family car trips as there are families so your questions here are different than others. But here are some thoughts…

Do you have snacks?
Do you have movies for the video player?
Is the iPod cable here?
Do we have the cell phone charger?
Paper and pen for license plate game?
Remember the words for 100 bottles of pop on the wall?

If you are coming to Mount Peter from Long Island, New York City or north/central New Jersey you’ll likely be finishing up the drive on Route 17A. When you get to 17A you’re almost here and this is one of the prettiest parts of the drive. You’ll be driving though the Highlands area of New York. Keep your eyes peeled and you might see squirrels, deer and chipmunks in the woods.

First you’ll drive through Sterling Forest State Park, climb Sterling Ridge and then descend to GreenwoodLake (where you find your first, and only, stop sign on 17A before Mount Peter). After Greenwood Lake you’ll climb up the west side of Mount Peter . You might notice a trail sign as you near the top - the Appalachian Trail crosses here.

The Appalachian Trail runs from Georgia to Maine!

Keep your eyes on the skies and you might see turkey vultures or birds of prey like red tail hawks and bald eagles soaring the breezes that flow up Mount Peter from the Warwick Valley.

Cresting the top of the mountain, you’re only a half mile away! Look to the right and you might see our lifts. Watch for the right hand turn that leads to the parking lot.

Our sign that points you into our driveway!

When you see this sign you're entering our driveway! You've made it! See you soon!

The Night Before

2011-11-28T20:16:00.001-05:00

Get to bed early. A day outdoors is tiring. A day outdoors in the winter is more tiring. A day outdoors skiing or snowboarding is even more tiring. In most cases, tired kids (and adults) have less patience so a good night’s rest is a good foundation for a day of winter-time fun.

We like to set out the gear for each person in their own separate bag the night before. Items for the group go in a group bag. This way, you can look at each person’s gear bag to make sure they have all they need packed for the day. If each bag is packed and each bag is in the car then you know all the gear you need for the day is ready to go.

If possible, we like to put gas in the car the night before so we don’t have to make a stop in the morning. Likewise, if you print driving directions, print your directions the night before (or earlier). Speaking of the car, make sure you are not overdressed for sitting in the car while driving to the mountain. You don’t want to be overheated or start the day with damp, sweaty garments. Some people we know even keep the heat in the car lower than normal to offset the warm clothing and idea that they will be outdoors all day (conversely, they crank it up for the ride home).

Charge or check the battery in all electronic devices you intend to bring (Yes, Mount Peter has wifi in the Main Lodge!). Also, look at the amount of memory you have for pictures and videos. It would be a shame to miss capturing those special moments because of memory or charge issues that could have been avoided.

So, car is gassed up, gear is all packed for each person and their electronics are in order. Early to bed and we’ll see you in the morning!

Extra Stuff to Bring

2011-11-27T21:38:00.007-05:00

It's important to dress right and bring the warm gear you need for a great day in the snow. A few extra things tucked in your bag will help ensure everyone's day is enjoyable.

The cold weather often gets little noses running so put a few tissues in your coat pocket. On cloudless days, the sun reflects off the white snow and can cause sunburn. Winter, for many folks, means chapped lips. Don’t forget the lip balm. And, in a pinch, many lip balms have UV block so you could smear some on your nose and cheeks to prevent sun burn. BONUS - you might just get a kiss on the cheek or nose!

Don’t forget that wind makes the temperatures feel even colder. So be prepared with more layers on a windy day.

If you have young children, here’s a tip shared by our Mountain School - “Youngsters are often motivated by stickers or small goodies such as plastic animals, toy cars, etc. Tuck a few in your pocket to use as a reward or motivator.” A nice cup of hot cocoa has been encouraging kids at Mount Peter for the past 76 years. And, finally, don’t forget the (fully charged) camera and video camera for saving and sharing memories!

If you end up at Mount Peter missing some piece of winter gear, stop by our retail shop Pete's Closet. We have a range of key items - from gloves and hats to lip balm and hand warmers - to help your day go smoothly. Snow time!

What to Wear

2011-11-26T11:24:00.002-05:00

This is actually a two part series, What to Bring and What to Wear. Put them together and you should be pretty well set up for your day…

Warm and happy is the only way to enjoy your day skiing or snowboarding. A few simple things will help increase your comfort and maximize your time at Mount Peter.

It is winter and you’re playing in the snow so some of these recommendations may sound obvious but….

If you have them (or can borrow them) water/wind resistant coat and snow pants are key items. Sweatshirts, jeans and sweat pants get wet from the snow making you or your kid cold and uncomfortable. Avoid cotton whenever possible. If you can’t get snow pants, a wind resistant shell will help keep snow from getting on your pants. As a last resort, make sure you wipe off any snow that sticks to your clothing. If it’s stuck there it will melt there making you wet and cold.

In a perfect situation, you’ll have long johns made of a wicking material (poly-pro, Under Armor, etc.) next to your skin with an insulating layer (wool, pile, etc.) over that covered by your jacket and pants.

The conditions change throughout the day as the sun makes its way around Mount Peter so dressing in layers is a good idea. As the day warms up, you can remove some insulation to keep comfortable. Also, remember that wind makes the temperatures feel even colder. So be prepared with more layers on a windy day.

If you end up at Mount Peter missing some piece of winter gear, stop by our retail shop Pete's Closet. We have a range of basic items to help your day go smoothly. Time to ski and ride!

What to Bring

2011-11-25T21:02:00.002-05:00

Warm and happy is the only way to enjoy your day skiing or snowboarding. A few simple things will help increase your comfort and maximize your time at Mount Peter. It may seem obvious but, it is winter and you’re playing in the snow. So…

Gloves or mittens and a hat or helmet are staple items. Unfortunately, the nice yarn mittens knitted by auntie are not the best for learning to ski or snowboard. Water resistant, nylon hand gear is best, keeping hands warm and dry. On colder days a “neck gaiter,” “balaclava” or “ski mask” covers most of the face and to keep you toasty.

For parents who are not intending to ski or snowboard, we suggest you give it a try! But, if not, you should still dress for winter weather conditions. You may plan on watching from Sunrise Lodge, but you’ll likely spend a good deal of time outside talking to your kids, meeting them before/after lessons and helping them shuttle between lodges, meals, rentals and the car. Layered clothing and appropriate winter gear will help make YOU more comfortable (and happy).