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Created January 10, 2026 19:08
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Ski Trip Research - Presidents Day Weekend 2026

Ski Trip Research - Presidents Day Weekend 2026

Trip Overview

  • Dates: February 14-16, 2026 (2 nights - Saturday to Monday)
  • Group: 2 families, 8 people total
    • Quinn Family: Victor, Sue, Tallulah (7), Beckett (5)
    • Brown Family: Nick, Caitlin, Thatcher (7), Emmeline (3)
  • Requirements: Lodging that sleeps 8, ski lessons for kids, programs for 3-year-old

Executive Summary

Resort Total Cost Per Family Drive Time Emmeline (3yo) Can Ski?
Camelback, PA $4,952 $2,476 2 hours No (min age 4) - Waterpark
Hunter Mountain, NY $5,111-$5,582 $2,556-$2,791 2.5 hours Yes
Mount Snow, VT $6,141-$6,531 $3,071-$3,266 4 hours Yes

Top Recommendations

  1. Best Value: Camelback ($4,952) - Cheapest overall, includes waterpark for Emmeline
  2. Best for Emmeline Skiing: Hunter Mountain ($5,582 with Emmeline) - Accepts 3-year-olds, affordable
  3. Best Lodging: Mount Snow ($6,141) - Ski-in/ski-out 4BR house with pool, 9.8/10 rating

Option 1: Camelback Resort, PA (RECOMMENDED - Best Value)

Location: Tannersville, PA | Drive: ~2 hours from NYC

Lodging: King Bunk Suite at Camelback Lodge

  • Status: ✅ CONFIRMED Available Feb 14-16, 2026
  • Room: 1 King bed + 2 bunk beds (sleeps 8), 500 sq ft
  • Price: $3,190 for 2 nights (includes taxes/fees)
  • Bonus: Includes 8 daily Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark tickets!
  • Book: https://be-p1.synxis.com/

Lift Tickets (2 days)

Person Price/Day 2-Day Total
4 Adults $65 $520
2 Kids (Tallulah 7, Thatcher 7) $65 $260
Beckett (5) & Emmeline (3) FREE $0
Total $780

Book: https://www.camelbackresort.com/lift-tickets-and-passes

Rentals (2 days)

Lessons (1 day)

Child Age Price Includes
Tallulah 7 $169.99 Lesson + Rentals + Beginner Lift
Thatcher 7 $169.99 Lesson + Rentals + Beginner Lift
Beckett 5 $169.99 Lesson + Rentals + Beginner Lift
Total $509.97

Book: https://www.camelbackresort.com/lessons

Emmeline (Age 3) Options

  • ❌ Too young for ski lessons (minimum age 4)
  • Best Option: Enjoy the included Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark (valued at $608!)
  • One adult stays with Emmeline at waterpark while others ski

Total Cost Breakdown

Item Cost
Lodging (2 nights) $3,190
Lift Tickets (2 days) $780
Rentals (4 adults × 2 days) $472
Lessons (3 kids × 1 day) $509.97
TOTAL $4,951.97
Per Family ~$2,476

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • ✅ Cheapest overall option
  • ✅ Closest to NYC (2 hours)
  • ✅ Includes waterpark tickets for Emmeline
  • ✅ Lessons include rentals (saves hassle)
  • ✅ On-site lodging - walk to slopes

Cons:

  • ❌ Emmeline can't take ski lessons
  • ❌ Hotel room less spacious than house
  • ❌ More crowded Presidents Day weekend

Option 2: Hunter Mountain, NY (Best for Emmeline Learning)

Location: Hunter, NY | Drive: ~2.5 hours from NYC

Lodging: River Front Bavarian House (VRBO)

  • Status: ✅ CONFIRMED Available Feb 14-16, 2026
  • Property: 4BR house, sleeps 11
  • Price: $1,240 for 2 nights
  • Location: 14 min walk to Hunter Mountain
  • Book: https://www.vrbo.com/2438494

Lift Tickets (2 days)

Person Price/Day 2-Day Total
4 Adults $149 $1,192
2 Kids (Tallulah 7, Thatcher 7) $113 $452
Beckett (5) & Emmeline (3) FREE $0
Total $1,644

Book: https://www.huntermtn.com/plan-your-trip/tickets-passes/lift-tickets.aspx

Rentals (3 days)

Person Price Total
4 Adults (Sport Ski + Helmet) $76/day $912
3 Kids (ages 7, 7, 5) $62/day $558
Emmeline (if skiing) $62/day $186
Without Emmeline $1,470
With Emmeline $1,656

Book: https://www.huntermtn.com/plan-your-trip/rentals/winter-equipment.aspx

Lessons (1 day)

Child Age Price Type
Tallulah 7 $249 Full Day
Thatcher 7 $249 Full Day
Beckett 5 $259 Full Day
Emmeline 3 $285 Half Day
Without Emmeline $757
With Emmeline $1,042

Book: https://www.huntermtn.com/plan-your-trip/ski-and-ride-lessons/kids-lessons.aspx

Emmeline (Age 3) Options

  • Hunter ACCEPTS 3-year-olds for ski lessons!
  • Half Day Lesson: $285
  • Rental needed: $186 for 3 days

Total Cost Breakdown

Without Emmeline Skiing:

Item Cost
Lodging (2 nights) $1,240
Lift Tickets (2 days) $1,644
Rentals (4 adults + 3 kids) $1,470
Lessons (3 kids × 1 day) $757
TOTAL $5,111
Per Family ~$2,556

With Emmeline Skiing:

Item Cost
Lodging (2 nights) $1,240
Lift Tickets (2 days) $1,644
Rentals (4 adults + 4 kids) $1,656
Lessons (4 kids × 1 day) $1,042
TOTAL $5,582
Per Family ~$2,791

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • ✅ Cheapest lodging ($1,240 for 4BR house!)
  • ✅ Emmeline can take ski lessons (age 3+)
  • ✅ More space - 4 bedroom house
  • ✅ Good snow conditions in Catskills

Cons:

  • ❌ Higher lift ticket prices ($149 vs $65)
  • ❌ Lessons don't include rentals
  • ❌ No waterpark alternative
  • ❌ 14 min walk to slopes (or drive)

Option 3: Mount Snow, VT (Best Lodging)

Location: West Dover, VT | Drive: ~4 hours from NYC

Lodging: 4BR 2BA Ski-in/Ski-out House (VRBO)

  • Status: ✅ CONFIRMED Available Feb 14-16, 2026
  • Property: 4BR house, sleeps 8-9
  • Rating: 9.8/10 (22 reviews)
  • Price: $2,238 for 2 nights
  • Features: Ski-in/ski-out, FREE Moover shuttle, heated pool
  • Book: https://www.vrbo.com/1622340

Bed Configuration:

  • Master: 1 Queen
  • Bedroom #1: 1 Twin + 1 Double
  • Bedroom #2: 2 Twins
  • Bedroom #3: 1 Twin + 1 Queen

Lift Tickets (2 days)

Person Price/Day 2-Day Total
4 Adults $135 $1,080
2 Kids (Tallulah 7, Thatcher 7) $102 $408
Beckett (5) & Emmeline (3) FREE $0
Total $1,488

Book: https://www.mountsnow.com/plan-your-trip/lift-access/tickets.aspx

Rentals (3 days)

Person Price/Day Total
4 Adults (Sport Skis + Helmet) $79 $948
3 Kids (ages 7, 7, 5) $55 $495
Emmeline (if skiing) $55 $165
Without Emmeline $1,443
With Emmeline $1,608

Book: https://www.mountsnow.com/plan-your-trip/rentals.aspx

Lessons (1 day)

Child Age Price Type
Tallulah 7 $324 Full Day
Thatcher 7 $324 Full Day
Beckett 5 $324 Full Day
Emmeline 3 $225 Half Day
Without Emmeline $972
With Emmeline $1,197

Book: https://www.mountsnow.com/plan-your-trip/ski-and-ride-lessons.aspx

Emmeline (Age 3) Options

  • Mount Snow ACCEPTS 3-year-olds for ski lessons!
  • Half Day Lesson: $225
  • Rental needed: $165 for 3 days

Total Cost Breakdown

Without Emmeline Skiing:

Item Cost
Lodging (2 nights) $2,238
Lift Tickets (2 days) $1,488
Rentals (4 adults + 3 kids) $1,443
Lessons (3 kids × 1 day) $972
TOTAL $6,141
Per Family ~$3,071

With Emmeline Skiing:

Item Cost
Lodging (2 nights) $2,238
Lift Tickets (2 days) $1,488
Rentals (4 adults + 4 kids) $1,608
Lessons (4 kids × 1 day) $1,197
TOTAL $6,531
Per Family ~$3,266

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • ✅ Best lodging - ski-in/ski-out with heated pool
  • ✅ Excellent reviews (9.8/10)
  • ✅ Emmeline can take ski lessons (age 3+)
  • ✅ Vermont snow typically better/more reliable
  • ✅ Kids 6 & under ski FREE

Cons:

  • ❌ Most expensive overall
  • ❌ Longest drive (4 hours)
  • ❌ Highest lesson prices
  • ❌ Lessons don't include rentals

Comparison Table

Feature Camelback Hunter Mount Snow
Total Cost $4,952 $5,111-$5,582 $6,141-$6,531
Per Family $2,476 $2,556-$2,791 $3,071-$3,266
Drive Time 2 hours 2.5 hours 4 hours
Lodging Hotel suite 4BR house 4BR ski-in/out
Lodging Cost $3,190 $1,240 $2,238
Lift Tickets/Day $65 $149 $135
Emmeline Can Ski
Lesson Incl. Rentals
Extra Amenities Waterpark - Pool, Ski-in/out

Final Recommendations

If Emmeline NOT skiing is OK:

Choose Camelback - Best value at $4,952, includes waterpark entertainment for Emmeline, and shortest drive.

If you want ALL 4 kids skiing:

Choose Hunter Mountain - At $5,582, it's $949 cheaper than Mount Snow and 1.5 hours closer. Emmeline can take lessons and it has great lodging value.

If you want the premium experience:

Choose Mount Snow - The ski-in/ski-out house with heated pool is exceptional (9.8/10 rating). Vermont snow is typically better. Worth the extra cost and drive for a memorable trip.


Quick Booking Links

Camelback

Hunter Mountain

Mount Snow


Research completed January 2026. Prices and availability subject to change. Book early for Presidents Day weekend!

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