The Ultimate Guide to the Catskills Mountains
It snowed literally every day during the month of January - we didn’t see this much snow in a long time!
At the beginning of this year, in the middle of the pandemic, when work and schools were still remote, we decided to move Upstate New York for a month. One of the perks of living in New York is the proximity to the Catskills mountain region. During the snow season, this mountain range turns into a true winter wonderland!
Being one of my all-time favorite destinations in Upstate New York, the Catskills have a lot to offer. If you’ve been considering a winter getaway, here are some of the features we saw and the only travel guide you’ll need… design inspiration included. ;)
Where to Stay?
The spectacular view from the house (the Airbnb we stayed at). Click the image for the link.
By the time we arrived at our destination, this beautiful Airbnb in Hobart/Stamford, it had already been snowing for days. The snow was about 2-3 feet high all around, and the temperature was well below freezing… about 7 degrees!
Despite the cold, the area itself felt serene and majestic. Settled on a few acres of land and surrounded by hills and mountains, the view was absolutely breathtaking.
Our furry babies had lots of fun too! Great Dane, Baron, followed by our Mini Pinscher, Titan - they loved playing in the snow.
The Ukrainian Church near the Hunter Mountain
With no time to waste, we started exploring the mountains as soon as we arrived. We took a walk in the snow with Baron and Titan, and let me tell you, they loved it!
There is something so calming and serene about a veil of white snow covering everything around you. There were a few villages close by, but the snow seemed to drown all the noise. I felt all my stress melt away as relaxation settled.
Hot coffee in the snowy morning on the porch of the house
Several small, charming villages were clustered around the area. We spent some time exploring and came across cute shops and adorable family-owned restaurants. Home-cooked meals in a snowy tundra? This is what winter dreams are made of.
What to Do?
All geared up for the slopes
1. Skiing or snowboarding
There are 4 mountains in the region: Belleayre, Windham, Plattekill, and Hunter. With more than 2 feet of snow, January is the perfect time to go skiing and snowboarding. We spent hours skiing the following morning and snow tubing at all 4 mountains, and I have to say that they are all worth trying. Each mountain felt distinctly different!
We couldn’t get enough of these picturesque sunsets
2. Sunset Gazing
By the end of the day, we were rewarded with another unexpected scene, a mesmerizing sunset. The pinks, purples, yellows, and oranges streaked across the sky and reflected on the white snow, making it glow this stunning violet color.
As a designer, I tend to draw inspiration from nature and beautiful sceneries such as this one. From the color palettes to the textures to the juxtaposition of dark and light. It all coexists in perfect harmony. Ahh, I just love it! Speaking of...
How magical is this nature’s art! Snowflakes on the frozen windows.
3. Getting Inspired!
I remember being told as a child that no two snowflakes are the same — and I was amazed! (I still have a hard time believing it.) The fact that each snowflake, in this infinite sea of snow, is unique inspires me in so many ways. I tried to get a close-up of the pattern of frost, but it looks more like feathers than ice! I’m not the only one seeing this, right?
Zoomed in or zoomed out, I love the composition that nature creates. It feels unique, elegant, and simply special. Plus… I can already think of a couple of ways where I would love to embrace these lines and curves in future designs.
Getting inspired is great for learning what you might like in your updated space, too. Get out there and see what gets your heart racing!
The Perfect Place to Unwind
Titan cozying up to the fire
After a full day of skiing and exploring the region, we were eager to come back to the house. We didn’t do much during the evenings — which is exactly how I like it. We enjoyed warm and cozy evenings around the fire, sipping hot beverages and passing the hours with good conversation and our furry companions.
How quaint is this old fashioned wood burning stove? Also… email alert! Guilty.
Although office hours were in effect, I wanted to hold on to my winter wonderland a bit longer. I eased myself back to work in front of this warm and cozy fireplace. This antique-looking wood stove is not there for show — trust me! It is still fully functional, warmed up the whole room, and delivered the appropriate amount of rustic charm to the space.
Love us together!
And that’s a wrap. This was one of the most fabulous winter getaways I’ve ever been on, full of joy, fun, and positive emotions. I highly recommend it. The Catskills offer a great opportunity for families to escape the city hustle and bustle and spend quality time enjoying nature, the outdoors, winter sports, and most importantly — time with each other!
What about you? What was your latest getaway?
If you’re looking for ways to bring your favorite getaways into your own home, get in touch with me here and let’s talk about it.
Yours,
Victoria