Shawangunk Nordic Ski Association - SNSA

10/22/2026

::: Assistant Ski Coach Needed :::
@ New Paltz Central High School

This is a Part-time, Paid Position that requires certifications (eg: CPR Training) and specific time commitments (after school and some Saturdays)

Link to New Paltz Website for more info:
https://www.newpaltz.k12.ny.us/our-district/employment/coaching

Apply here:
https://olasjobs.org/job-details/NPZN0390631-0000

Please reach out to us with general questions: [email protected]

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Not on our email list? Reach out to us to be added!

READ OUR SEASON UPDATES EMAIL HERE:
https://mailchi.mp/93d606d15c6f/ski-season-updates

We can't wait to see you on the trails!! In the meantime, please reach out to us if you are interested in volunteering or becoming more involved with Shawangunk Nordic Ski Association. You can help support our mission to advocate for and promote Cross Country Skiing in the Shawangunks by making a do...

03/15/2026

Dear Skiers,

You did it!! ❄️ 🥳 ❄️ 👏 ❄️ 🎉❄️

Thank you to the many many nordic skiers who pitched in toward the purchase of an 84” Ginzugroomer for use at Mohonk Preserve’s West Trapps Trailhead!

With the incredible support of Salt Family Charitable Trust (thank you, Jeffrey and Elizabeth), Rock and Snow, Full Moon Farm, Pitch Pine Outfitters, Hudson Valley Trailworks, Mountain Brauhaus Restaurant, and skiers from both near and far - the Ginzugroomer hit the trails just in time for the first big snow of 2026!

Shawangunk Nordic Ski Association is tremendously grateful to all who were willing and able to help support Nordic Skiing in our region, and to support Mohonk Preserve’s grooming efforts, by donating funds for this critical piece of equipment!

It has been a gift to our community to have consistently outstanding ski conditions at Mohonk Preserve this season. With state of the art grooming equipment at both West Trapps and Spring Farm Trailheads, a dedicated grooming team, including Mohonk Preserve staff, local Volunteers, and Mohonk Mountain House lending support as needed, this ski season has been truly extraordinary.

To celebrate this incredible winter, with outstanding grooming across the ridge — from to
River-to-Ridge Trail — we’ve teamed up with Mohonk Preserve to host an Après Ski Celebration at Gardiner Brewing Company on Friday, March 27th.

All are welcome to attend! Tickets are $10 per person, and include a complimentary beverage.
Tickets and more info available here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1451610780088761

P.S. Once the weather warms, we’ll be adhering our business sponsors’ logos to the Ginzugroomer!
Thank you all for your incredible support!!
🙌 ❄️ 🙌 ❄️ 🙌

03/11/2026

We can tell you there is still a mix of snow and ice on the trails at Minnewaska. Some stretches could be skied, but we are not actively trying to encourage anyone to get out there on skis at this point.
I went yesterday and was amazed at how much it had changed in a day. Lots of grayish icier sections showing up as we finally melt down to that sustaining layer of 2-3" of ice from back in January.

In yesterday's comments some telling images from UA were posted for you to peek at.

Enjoy these beautiful, mild days. The rushing return of so many birds, buds on trees, and first flowers is a delight to see.

Mark R

03/10/2026

Yesterday, I first skate skied out along the west side of Lake Minnewaska on full cover, sharing the trail with some hikers. I found a very mashed potato like consistency in parts and some firmer sections where we're getting down to the old, icier base which still skied with control but was a speed contrast to the mashed potatoes. Headed out to the first south facing hill on Millbrook Mt Trail and then came back and skied down the Hamilton Pt trail to the first lookout over the Palmaghatt Ravine. Just before I reached the lookout there was a longer bare section requiring dismount.

Returned back as I had come and then headed out on Upper Awosting. Fully covered with a firmer surface there than on the hiked areas. It's quickly going to develop some bare spots today - at the open area of the Orchard will likely be first.

Today will pick up where those conditions left off.

We had a light freeze at our home in the valley so it may have firmed up overnight but will promptly be on its way to the softening conditions we found yesterday.

The 12" base we reported a few days back is now in the 4-7" range for the most part, and changing by the hour!

Was hopeful to ski into the double digit calendar days of March - here we go!

03/09/2026

It ain't over til it's over!

There's still time to get your spring skiing in - is no longer grooming, but has reserved Upper Awosting Trail for skiers (no hiking permitted). Other trails are open to hikers, and skiers are permitted. The park is now open until 7pm!

Trapps Road and Overcliff are also still possible to ski, but open to hiking and the snow is fading more quickly than at Minnewaska's higher elevation. You'll have to walk the initial part of either trail due to bare spots. Mohonk Preserve

Once you reach the full coverage on Trapps Rd (pictured here, yesterday), you'll have about 2 miles of full snow coverage until you reach Lyon's Road.

We're hoping to organize a Community Swimsuit Ski sometime this week! ;) Don't forget your sunscreen!

03/09/2026

Good morning, skiers! I skated Upper Awosting this morning in poor, icy conditions. There is still a ton of snow compacted on the trail, so I think a better strategy would have been to Classic ski in the afternoon after everything softens up a bit. It's March 9th, I can't complain. Eric

03/08/2026

Good Morning Skiers!

Still a good base depth of snow on Minnewaska's and some parts of Mohonk Preserve, but grooming is no longer happening. With these temps and softening surface there's little to be gained from it. The ski speeds will be slower but the days on the trail will lovely with warmth, streams and waterfalls abundant throughout...and smiling skiers after an epic season :)

Base on the trails at Minnewaska is about 12"+/- with thinner areas being south and east facing.

At Mohonk Preserve about 5-10" base remains on the flatter shaded trails, ie Overcliff and Trapps Rd.

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Here's Minnnewaska's post from this morning:

Starting today, Sunday March 8, we will no longer limit hikers from accessing most of the carriage roads that had been restricted to skiing only. Upper Awosting will remain closed to hiking while there is still adequate snow for cross country skiing. We were able to do some grooming yesterday, but I don't expect more grooming to be possible with the warm overnight temps this week.

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The steeper approaches to the trail systems at both West Trapps and Spring Farm in Mohonk Preserve have some iciness showing now, so walking down would be advised for many. Their flatter trails within their network will show virtually none of this but please be attentive if you're not comfortable with those conditions on the hills.

In summary, most abundant snow at Minnewaska, but good long stretches of snow remain at Mohonk Preserve with thinning spots showing.

Enjoy!

03/08/2026

Good morning, skiers! There is still skiable snow up on the ridge. I skied Spring Farm yesterday, and it was in good condition. Also, there were some good reports coming out of Minnewaska.

Unfortunately, this morning Minnewaska has opened most trails to hikers, except for Upper Awosting, which they will continue to save for skiers. There is no grooming planned with the warm weather on the horizon. Currently, there is enough base on UA to hold on for a few more days, at least. Saving another round of snow, this incredible season is finally winding down. Get it while you can! Eric

03/07/2026

Here's the follow up to this morning's earlier post:

1. Photo by Gary Schulte, who groomed Spring Farm this morning! Mohonk Preserve
2. & 3. - Overcliff yesterday - un-groomed, but still full coverage and nice skiing (first couple hundred meters look a little rougher but all the rest of it is very well covered) Trapps Road should be much the same.
4. Minnewaska Trail Report

03/07/2026

Brief early report:

Spring Farm at Mohonk Preserve is being groomed and getting a great outcome. Foggy start to our day with temps in the mid to upper 30s. On our way to the 50s.

Full cover on all the mountain trail systems. Groomed or not, all will be skiable :)

Hope to post again later with more details.