The Ghost Slopes of the Catskills

In the winter of 1935, three brothers became inspired by the Winter Olympics. Looking up at their family’s land on Romer Mountain in Phoenicia, they said what the heck, let’s start a ski mountain. So was born the Simpson Ski Slope.

It started with a few acres of land and a whole lot of determination. In those early days, there were no lifts: visitors climbed up and cruised down (some more elegantly than others). Before anyone knew it, the ski trains were introduced. Weekend warriors came in droves and the towns filled with guests.

On March 19th, 1978, the last lift ticket was sold and the slope that helped birth skiing in the Catskills fell silent. Today, Romer Mountain still sits proudly, the old ski trails slowly fading back into the forest - a reminder of when winter was a little wilder, when life was perhaps a little simpler, and when no one worried about wearing a helmet.

The Night Sky

Mark your calendars for December 7th - Jupiter's putting on its best show of the year. The giant planet will be at "opposition," which basically means Earth is passing between Jupiter and the Sun, giving us our closest view. It’ll look about 68% bigger and way brighter than usual, plus you'll be able to spot it all night long after sunset (which will be at 4:25pm, sheesh it’s getting dark early).

Trivia

Adopt Pets!

We’re adding cats, folks! Our pets of the week are Cosmo and Chili. Our canine friend Cosmo comes from an unknown origin, unknown breed, and an estimated age of under 1 year old. This means you’ll find out more when you adopt him! And our first feline friend is Chili. She’s said to have a heart of gold and loves attention. Learn more about adopting her.

RamsHorn-Livingston Audubon Sanctuary

The Audubon Sanctuary protects the birds and wildlife that make our mountains magical, from monitoring rare species to conserving habitats. Support their work to keep the Catskills wild right here.

Moment in Time

First Annual Pop-up Holiday Market
🔎 Indoor & outdoor holiday market featuring over 80+ market vendors over 4 weekends, curated flea market, food trucks, warm drinks, and bonfire hangs for family & friends.
📆 Saturday & Sunday, December 7th and 8th, from 10:30am-5pm
📍 Cannonball Factory, Hudson

A Holiday Party
🔎 Catskill Crew teamed up with Glen Falls House to put on A Holiday Party. We got cocktails, a special menu at Trotwood, live music in the Tavern, and 20% off rooms with the code “CATSKILLCREW”. The party will be open to the public until we hit capacity.
📆 December 14th at 6pm.
📍 Glen Falls House, Round Top

Upward Brewing, Livingston Manor - Fly tying and beers from 5:30-7:30pm

Temple Shiro, Stamford - Sound Bath at 5pm zen out

Colony, Woodstock - Major Mayhem Karaoke in the Ballroom at 6:30pm

Camp Kingston, Kingston - CUNext Tuesday by Queer Kingston from 6-10pm

Tubby's, Kingston - Chess Night from 6-9pm checkmate

Belvedere Inn, Stamford - Night Market details

Senate Garage, Kingston - Midtown Kingston Arts District Soiree from 6-9pm info

The Common Good, Ellenville - A morning of story and song with nursery school teacher, Robin! From 10:30-11:30AM

The Pines, Mount Tremper - Bingo with Bobby from 7-9pm B I N G O

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Queer Trivia from 7-10pm check it out along with The Lofi Sessions from 7-10pm info

Bethel Woods, Bethel - Adult Rock Band Jam at 6:30pm get down

The Half Moon, Hudson - Half Moon Karaoke from 8-9pm don’t sing free bird

Camp Kingston, Kingston - Monthly Happy Hour to support Sweet Freedom Farms from 6-9pm do some good

Colony, Woodstock - Sonny Rock's Pro Jam in the Ballroom at 7pm go go go

Griffin House, Palenville - Happy Hour Yoga from 5:30-6:30pm down dog

Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown - Trivia at 5:30pm sip sip

Park Theatre, Hudson - The Passion According to G.H. from 7-9pm learn more

Rough Draft, Kingston - Trivia with DJ Maxwell from 6-9pm

The Junction, Roscoe - Holiday Market (and there will be tamales & tattoos) from 2-7pm shop local

The Falcon, Marlboro - Live tunes with Upstate at 7pm have a good ol’ time

MayerWasner, Narrowsburg - Maker Market from 11am-6pm (until Dec. 8) shop local

Uptown, Kingston - Snowflake Festival from 6-8pm check it out

Sunshine Colony, Livingston Manor - Five year celebration from 6-8pm cheers

Woodstock - Holiday Open House info

Belvedere Inn, Stamford - Comedy with the Monroe Martin lets go

The Half Moon, Hudson - DJ Taraka Rage Peace on Earth from 8:30-11:55pm party time

Laugh it Up Comedy Club, Poughkeepsie - Stand up show with Gary Vider details

Darlings, Rosendale - Friday Vinyl Night spin

New Memories, Parksville - Holiday Market from 5-10pm (until Dec. 7) shop local

Union Street Brewing, Hudson - Winter Market from 12-6pm shop local

Angry Orchard, Walden - Mini Market from 11am-4pm homemade goodies

Orpheum, Tannersville - Ballet: The Nutcracker at 2pm and 7pm tix

Dette Flies, Livingston Manor - Holiday Open House from 11am-3pm tight lines

Big Indian Fire Dept - Holiday Craft Market by Big Indian Ladies Auxiliary to benefit the fire dept. from 11am-3pm

Hunter Mountain, Hunter - DJ Dave K from 12-4pm pray for snow

Scribner's Lodge, Hunter - Holiday Mini Market from 1-5pm info

Tannersville - Holiday Stroll, a full day of festive goodness check it out

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - Midnight Ramble ft. Michelle Willis at 8pm tix

RoostArts, New Paltz - Holiday Gala Petite Paintings from 6-9pm bob ross

The Parcel Flower Co, Cold Spring - Phoenicia Flea Holiday Market 10am-4pm buy local

Bethel Woods, Bethel - Holiday Market from 12-9pm buy local

Rosendale - Holiday Frozendale info

North River Electric House, Stone Ridge - Holiday Market from 12-5pm shop local

West Kill Supply, Kingston - 2nd Anniversary Party chug

Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook - Holiday Market from 12-6pm shop local

Bearsville Theater, Woodstock - The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays Music of Taylor Swift + More for Kids at 11am omg Taylorrrr

Shipwrecked, Coxsackie - Paint and Sip for Catskill Canines from 4-6pm sip sip

Skate Time, Accord  - Mid-Hudson Misfits Jingle Jams Derby Scrimmage from 5-9pm lace up

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Queer Holigay Market from 7-10pm shop local

West Kill Supply, Kingston - Cardinal Felting Workshop craft time

RMV Cellars, West Park - Esopus Holiday Tugboat Trail from 5-8pm go time

Historical Society, Newburgh - Annual Candlelight Tour from 12-5pm tix

Rough Cut Brewing, Kerhonkson - Trivia Night at 7pm

NightSwim, Kingston - First Karaoke Night at 9pm have fun