Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY
Pavilion Manager (845) 256 2775
Outdoors, open seasonally -
For those not familiar with Mohonk Mountain House - it is a national historic landmark/hotel/resort high in the Catskill Mountains of New Paltz, NY; a place for weddings, meetings, family reunions, vacations, or just a weekend getaway. The resort encompasses acres of forest, circuitous trails, hotel facilities, and Mohonk Lake. As the resort is open year round, there are many activities that go in and out of season: nature walks, golf, spa, fishing, fitness, tennis, swimming, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and our area of interest - skating.
The skating rink facility is recently constructed (it opened in 2001), and although smaller than an NHL regulation rink (it is slightly larger than the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink), is a great addition to the resort. It is a few minute walk from the main building and is surrounded by the other amenities Mohonk has to offer. The rink is outdoors but protected from the elements via a rustic timber framed roof. On one end of the rink is a large fireplace with a roaring fire - a great place to warm up when not skating. The other end of the rink overlooks Mohonk Lake. Adjacent to the rink is the changing chalet. Inside are benches for settling into your skates. Below the benches are cubbyholes to store your footwear, although there is no place to lock up your belongings. There is also a skate shop with the typical skating necessities along with skate rental.
The ice was in excellent condition, the staff friendly and attentive. As far as skating rinks go, the skating 'atmosphere' is magnificent. The setting is beautiful. Our one complaint is that the rink should have longer hours of operation. Typical hours seem to be a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours in the afternoon daily, plus a couple of hours on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Ice skating and skate rental is available at no additional charge to overnight
guests at Mohonk Mountain House.
Day visitors may skate mid-week for a fee of $25 per session.
Meal guests may skate for a fee of $15 per session.
-- written Nov 2009 (last visit before write-up Feb 2009)
Find out more about the Skating Pavilion on the Monhonk Mountain House web site.
Last updated Nov 14, 2009.