The day starts bright and early. Or, more accurately, dark and early; you'll likely wake up before the sunrise. At about 6:00 AM, about fifty SKI BUMS board our own private shuttle bus to enjoy one of the local ski resorts in the New York / New Jersey area, and by 9:00, you're in the mountains. The local resorts of Hunter Mountain, Belleayre Mountain, Windham and Mountain Creek offer dozens of trails at every skill level, the chance to polish your skills, and best of all, the chance to meet a bus full of friendly BUMS who are eager to get out of the city for a day-long adventure at higher altitudes.

Bond with a whole group of new friends

If you're new to SKI BUMS, there's nothing like a daytrip for an easy chance to meet a whole lot of great people on one fun-filled day. The daytrips bring out an especially social crowd, and -- just like you -- they've joined SKI BUMS primarily to meet new people. A SKI BUMS daytrip is the perfect way to jump in and join the fun. The day begins with introductions at the base of the mountain, where you'll meet other skiers and boarders who like the same type of terrain you do (see "Skill Levels," at right). We all meet up again for lunch, and again for the traditional afternoon happy hour, known as après-ski. From there, we board our own bus for the party bus home, which is a virtual finger-food potluck cook-off. With homemade food and drinks to share, the party bus home is one of the BUMS most favorite traditions.

Polish your skills

One of the biggest rewards of our daytrips is the chance to polish your skills. Whether you're a newbie or an advanced skier or boarder, the local terrain will give you the kind of challenge to become a stronger skier or boarder, or help you prepare for an upcoming multi-day trip. Many of our participants will use a daytrip to take a lesson; and groups like ours are often given steep discounts on instruction at our local hills.

Get out of the city -- affordably

If you're dying to get back on skis or a board but don't have a multi-day trip in your budget, our daytrips are an affordable way to enjoy a great day on the mountains without breaking the bank.

Our trips include:

• Transportation to and from the mountain
• Lift ticket
• Optional add-ons: Equipment rental, helmet rental, group lessons

Space on each trip is limited.

To learn more about each daytrip and sign up, click on the tabs, at right.

Each of our daytrips is recommended for all skill levels. At the beginning of each daytrip, SKI BUMS hosts a "group up" at the base of the mountain, where you'll have the chance to meet other skiers and snowboarders who enjoy the same type of terrain that you do.

What skill level am I?

Beginner

You're most comfortable on wide, gently-sloped runs, marked with a green circle. If you're brand new to skiing or snowboarding, you'll be spending a good amount of time in the learning area, commonly known as the "Bunny Hill."

You enjoy blue square runs, and might try a black diamond every now and then. You're less comfortable on bump runs (aka "moguls") and in deep powder. If you haven't been skiing since you were a kid, you should probably start out on beginner runs, and work your way toward intermediate ones.

You've got strong ability on steep terrain, and you're comfortable in a variety of snow types (hard pack, fresh powder, crud). You can handle bumps, but might avoid double-black runs, particularly in the American West.

You've got excellent command in all types of terrain and snow (deep powder, bumps, ungroomed, steeps, tree skiing). You can handle anything the mountain throws at you.

It's time to learn something new.

At Bunny Hill, SKI BUMS celebrates those who are ready to learn to ski or snowboard -- who we affectionately refer to as "the newbies." About half of our bus-full of participants will learn to ski or snowboard for the very first time, or polish up on old skills that they haven't used since they were kids. If you're one of those people who hasn't been on skis or a board since high school, but you can see just how cool skiing and snowboarding could be, Bunny Hill is for you.

You're in great company.

It's one thing to be on a ski trip with friends as the token newbie who doesn't really know what a toe edge or fall line are, but it's something else entirely to be in a group of full-grown adults who are just beginning to ski, snowboard --- and fall down laughing -- together. Every year, a group of new BUMS learns the ropes on the slopes. They emerge from the day with a brand-new passion and brand-new group of friends. The rest of us are there to enjoy the other parts of the mountain and cheer you on, while you put in some time in the learning area, commonly known at ski resorts as the bunny hill.

Beginners receive a free lesson.

On this daytrip, you'll have the opportunity to begin the day with a group of other newbies, while the SKI BUMS staff and volunteers walk you through the initial steps and make sure you understand all that's happening. After you've received your skiing or snowboarding equipment at the resort, we'll introduce you to one of Hunter Mountain's qualified instructors, who will begin your day with the 101's of skiing and snowboarding. If you've already had a few days on skis or a snowboard and you're not a total newbie, you'll have the chance to join a group lesson for those who are also a bit familiar with the basics. From there, you'll be off on the snow and learning from the experts!

We all meet for lunch, where you'll have the chance to reconnect with the other BUMS, brag about your accomplishments, then plan for an afternoon practice session, or even sign up for an additional lesson.

The afternoon ends with a celebratory party, which starts at our traditional après-ski and continues on our famous bus party home.

This is just the beginning.

The general rule of thumb is that it takes about three days to really learn to ski or snowboard. Keep in mind that this is just day one, and you'll likely finish the day with a newfound desire to get back on skis or a board very quickly to keep practicing. There are rich rewards in store; if you look through our photo galleries, you'll find a whole group of new snowboarders who spent their very first day on a board at Bunny Hill, took a few additional daytrips, and by the end of the season, were enjoying the spectacular vistas at world-class resorts like Telluride and Bariloche. Plan to put in a few days to get the swing of things, and by the time the snow melts, you'll be itching for winter to return.

Date and Time:

• Saturday, January 10th
• Departure: 6:00 AM *sharp*
• Return to Manhattan: 9:00 PM

• Private charter bus transportation to / from midtown Manhattan
• Lift ticket to Hunter Mountain
• Complimentary group lesson for beginner skiers and snowboarders
• Après-ski bus party home

• $125 with ski or snowboard rental -- includes helmet
• $100 without ski or snowboard rental
• Optional add-ons:Intermediate or advanced group lesson: $20, payable in cash on the morning of the trip

Cancellation policy:

• On or before January 1: $30 fee
• After January 2: No refund

Mid-week daytrips are the best.

Why? Because there's no one there. If you're the sort of person who hates waiting in a lift line, these trips are right up your alley. They're so much fun, in fact, that they're a perfect excuse to call in sick from work, so we lovingly refer to our mid-week daytrips as a "Sick Day."

Sleep in a lil' bit.

On these daytrips, we leave at 7 AM, which will give you a little extra time in the morning. We'll arrive around 9:30, and stay until the lifts close. These are the kind of days where you'll get to do lap after lap of skiing and riding, because there's no wait to hop on the lifts. Year after year, our mid-week trips emerge as one of the highlights of the SKI BUMS daytrip season, leaving the BUMS gasping, "Why don't we do this more often?" This year: we are. We've got another "Sick Day" on Thu., February 12th to Hunter Mountain.

As always, we'll meet up for lunch where you'll have the chance to reconnect with the other BUMS, mix it up a bit, or make a plan to see more parts of the mountain.

The afternoon ends with our après-ski, which starts at Windham's base-lodge bar and continues on one of our famous bus parties home. Everyone brings drinks and food to share, and we crank up the tunes. You'll finish the day with a whole group of new friends. Even better, you'll have the chance to see them all again at one of our SKI BUMS events back in the city.

Date and Time:

• Wednesday, January 21st
• Departure: 7:00 AM *sharp*
• Return to Manhattan: 8:30 PM

• Private charter bus transportation to / from midtown Manhattan
• Lift ticket to Windham Mountain
• Après-ski bus party home

• $125 with ski or snowboard rental
• $100 without ski or snowboard rental
• Optional add-ons:Intermediate or advanced group lesson: $18, payable in cash on the morning of the trip

This trip is currently full, but SKI BUMS members can -- and should -- add their name to the wait list. Click "Sign up for Windham" to add your name..

Cancellation policy:

• On or before January 13: $30 fee
• After January 14: No refund

We've been talking about this for years.

On Saturday, January 24th, SKI BUMS is taking its very first all-female trip, and it's something we've been dreaming about since the early days of SKI BUMS... back in 2005. Over the last four years, we've been lucky to have more than 75 women become SKI BUMS members. When's the last time you were in a room with more than a handful of women who love to ski or board... and love other women? It's a rare, great thing, and we hope that this daytrip inspires a bus full of women to join even more SKI BUMS trips in the future.

We're making history here. Come join us and say that you were there at the beginning of a new tradition.

Let us show you a great time.

All you've got to do, really, is show up. Board our private charter bus first thing in the morning, take a sleepy nap on the two and a half hour ride to Belleayre, and wake up to a friendly pep talk from your SKI BUMS hosts. We'll walk you through the plan for the day, announce our meetup locations, and even help you find other skiers and riders who like the same type of trails that you do. Upon arrival, we'll distribute lift tickets and introduce you to the mountain... and then the adventure begins.

We all meet for lunch, where you'll have the chance to reconnect with the other BUMS, mix it up a bit, or make a plan to see more parts of the mountain.

The afternoon ends with après-ski, which starts at Belleayre's fun mid-mountain bar and continues on one of our famous bus parties home. Everyone brings drinks and food to share, and we crank up the tunes. You'll finish the day with a whole group of new friends. Even better, you'll have the chance to see them all again at one of our SKI BUMS events back in the city.

Belleayre: an introduction

The best part about Belleayre -- other than its proximity -- is that it's one of those great local hills that finds ways to surprise you. Beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders are always extra giddy at Belleayre, just because there are so many trails right up their alley, but Belleayre's got some nifty tricks up its sleeve. Steep, bank turns and well-maintained mogul fields serve up ample challenge for the black diamond set. No matter what your skill level, you'll find more than enough to enjoy for a full day on the mountain. And, Belleayre offers a complimentary group lesson, which gives you a great opportunity to sharpen your skills. Add in a bus full of BUMS, and it's the perfect recipe for a fun-filled getaway that's really one-of-a-kind.

Date and Time:

• Saturday, January 24th
• Departure: 6:00 AM *sharp*
• Return to Manhattan: 9:00 PM

• Private charter bus transportation to / from midtown Manhattan
• Lift ticket to Belleayre Mountain
• Complimentary group lesson for any skill level
• Après-ski bus party home

• $125 with ski or snowboard rental
• $100 without ski or snowboard rental

Cancellation policy:

• On or before January 18: $30 fee
• After January 19: No refund

In 2009, our daytrips continue to rock.

After three super-fun daytrips (Bunny Hill, Sick Day and Girl Powder,) the BUMS are ready to head out to the hills for another day of fun. Because Mountain Creek is a mere 90 minutes away, we've got a 7 AM departure for this one. The terrain over at Mountain Creek is unique; they've got an entire huge area devoted to snowboarding and terrain parks! And -- for those of you who missed Bunny Hill, we like to think of this as "Bunny Hill Part 2." Mountain Creek has a complimentary lesson if you're learning to ski or snowboard. Newbies -- get on board the bus and prepare for a day full of fun with the BUMS!

As always, we'll meet up for lunch where you'll have the chance to reconnect with the other BUMS, mix it up a bit, or make a plan to see more parts of the mountain.

The afternoon ends with our après-ski, which starts at Mountain Creek's base-lodge bar and continues on one of our famous bus parties home. Everyone brings drinks and food to share, and we crank up the tunes. You'll finish the day with a whole group of new friends. Even better, you'll have the chance to see them all again at one of our SKI BUMS events back in the city.

Date and Time:

• Saturday, February 7th
• Departure: 7:00 AM *sharp*
• Return to Manhattan: 8:00 PM

• Private charter bus transportation to / from midtown Manhattan
• Lift ticket to Mountain Creek
• Complimentary learn-to-ski or learn-to-board lesson for new skiers & snowboarders
• Après-ski bus party home

• $125 with ski or snowboard rental
• $100 without ski or snowboard rental
• Optional add-ons:Intermediate or advanced group lesson: $35, payable in cash on the morning of the trip

Cancellation policy:

• On or before February 4: $30 fee
• After February 5: No refund

Mid-week daytrips are the best.

Why? Because there's no one there. If you're the sort of person who hates waiting in a lift line, these trips are right up your alley. They're so much fun, in fact, that they're a perfect excuse to call in sick from work, so we lovingly refer to our mid-week daytrips as a "Sick Day."

Sleep in a lil' bit.

On these daytrips, we leave at 7 AM, which will give you a little extra time in the morning. We'll arrive around 9:30, and stay until the lifts close. These are the kind of days where you'll get to do lap after lap of skiing and riding, because there's no wait to hop on the lifts. Year after year, our mid-week trips emerge as one of the highlights of the SKI BUMS daytrip season, leaving the BUMS gasping, "Why don't we do this more often?" This year: we are. We've got another "Sick Day" on Wed., January 21st to Windham Mountain.

As always, we'll meet up for lunch where you'll have the chance to reconnect with the other BUMS, mix it up a bit, or make a plan to see more parts of the mountain.

The afternoon ends with our après-ski, which starts at Hunter's base-lodge bar and continues on one of our famous bus parties home. Everyone brings drinks and food to share, and we crank up the tunes. You'll finish the day with a whole group of new friends. Even better, you'll have the chance to see them all again at one of our SKI BUMS events back in the city.

Date and Time:

• Thursday, February 12th
• Departure: 7:00 AM *sharp*
• Return to Manhattan: 8:30 PM

• Private charter bus transportation to / from midtown Manhattan
• Lift ticket to Hunter Mountain
• Après-ski bus party home

• $125 with ski or snowboard rental
• $100 without ski or snowboard rental
• Optional add-ons:Intermediate or advanced group lesson: $18, payable in cash on the morning of the trip

This trip is currently full, but SKI BUMS members can -- and should -- add their name to the wait list. Click "Sign up for Hunter" to add your name..

Cancellation policy:

• On or before February 5: $30 fee
• After February 6: No refund

The final daytrip of the season is always legendary -- the BUMS like to squeeze as much fun out of our season as possible, and before all our fun melts away, we're determined to end the year on a high note!

On Saturday, March 21st, we'll escape from the city to enjoy the deep base of snow that's still adorning the hills of Belleayre, NY, one of the area's most fun-filled mountains.

Let us show you a great time.

All you've got to do, really, is show up. Board our private charter bus first thing in the morning, take a sleepy nap on the two and a half hour ride to Belleayre, and wake up to a friendly pep talk from your SKI BUMS hosts. We'll walk you through the plan for the day, announce our meetup locations, and even help you find other skiers and riders who like the same type of trails that you do. Upon arrival, we'll distribute lift tickets and introduce you to the mountain... and then the adventure begins.

We all meet for lunch, where you'll have the chance to reconnect with the other BUMS, mix it up a bit, or make a plan to see more parts of the mountain.

The afternoon ends with après-ski, which starts at Belleayre's fun mid-mountain bar and continues on one of our famous bus parties home. Everyone brings drinks and food to share, and we crank up the tunes. You'll finish the day with a whole group of new friends. Even better, you'll have the chance to see them all again at one of our SKI BUMS events back in the city.

Belleayre: an introduction

The best part about Belleayre -- other than its proximity -- is that it's one of those great local hills that finds ways to surprise you. Beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders are always extra giddy at Belleayre, just because there are so many trails right up their alley, but Belleayre's got some nifty tricks up its sleeve. Steep, bank turns and well-maintained mogul fields serve up ample challenge for the black diamond set. No matter what your skill level, you'll find more than enough to enjoy for a full day on the mountain. And, Belleayre offers a complimentary group lesson, which gives you a great opportunity to sharpen your skills. Add in a bus full of BUMS, and it's the perfect recipe for a fun-filled getaway that's really one-of-a-kind.

Date and Time:

• Saturday, March 21st
• Departure: 6:00 AM *sharp*
• Return to Manhattan: 9:00 PM

• Private charter bus transportation to / from midtown Manhattan
• Lift ticket to Belleayre Mountain
• Complimentary group lesson for any skill level
• Après-ski bus party home

• $125 with ski or snowboard rental
• $100 without ski or snowboard rental

Cancellation policy:

• On or before March 14: $30 fee
• After March 15: No refund

Q: May I drive to a daytrip and join you at the mountain?

A: Absolutely! If you're an official SKI BUMS member and you've paid your 2009 membership dues, you may sign up for the trip as driver by submitting this form at least one week before the trip. You'll receive a confirmation that you've signed up, along with specific instructions on where to meet us, the day's itinerary, and how to get the most out of your day.

Q: Why do you leave NYC so early?

A: Although we enjoy catching "first chair," the primary reason is because we want to arrive at the mountain with enough time for our group to get their rental equipment and get suited up before the first round of lessons begin. It's about a two-and-a-half hour drive from midtown Manhattan to Hunter, Windham, and Belleayre, and the first round of group lessons traditionally begins at 9:30 AM.

Q: I haven't been skiing or snowboarding in years, and I don't have a whole lot of skiing / snowboarding clothes. What do I really need?

A: We've got an in-depth answer for you in our article at our online learning center, Freshies. Check it out >

Q: I'm signing up for a daytrip, but I don't need the full equipment rental package. What should I do?

A: If you've already got your own boots, but just need skis / board, or you just need to rent a helmet, etc, it's best to sign up for the trip a rental package, then visit the rental counter at the mountain to rent whatever items you need on the morning of the trip.

Q: Do I really need to bring homemade food for the bus ride party home?

A: We'll keep it real with you. If you want people to like you and think you're cool, you have to bring food. But wow, what an easy way to get people to like you and think you're cool! ;)If you're really just not much of a cook, pick a lil' something up, but you'd be wise to opt for savory over sweet.

Q: What kind of drinks are best?

A: Beer is most popular -- partially because it's easiest to drink on a moving bus. Cocktails tend to get messy. You can store drinks in the bus during the day to keep them cool.

Q: I've never been skiing / boarding on one of the local hills. How do they compare to the larger resorts?

A: Even if you're accustomed to skiing / riding in Europe or the West, you'll be surprised how much fun can be had at the local hills. Mountain Creek has a world-class snowboarding terrain park (and is home to many snowboarding championships). Hunter Mountain is the local training ground for nationally-certified skiing and snowboarding instructors, and has plenty of steep stuff to challenge any skier or rider. Belleayre is full of long, wide beginner and intermediate runs that the locals fall in love with, and Windham's got fantastic variety for all skill levels. That said, the best reason to come on a SKI BUMS daytrip is quite simple: to meet the other BUMS and make new friends.

Have a question for us? Don't hesitate to ask -- just email us!