Catamount straddles the New York/Massachusetts border in Hillsdale, about two hours from New York City. Mid-Atlantic Masters races Giant Slalom on Alley Cat, served by a quad with a nine-minute turnaround. Catamount is an excellent venue for non-racing spectators, since the finish area is steps away from the base lodge. Our races typically run the full length of Alley Cat (starting from the FIS start), so expect GS runs that are about a minute top-to-bottom.
Last updated: September 2026.
Do this before you leave home: Join the Race Day Communications WhatsApp group. We share start lists, weather updates and schedule changes on WhatsApp, not email.
Catamount at a Glance
| Location | Hillsdale, NY (NY/MA border) |
|---|---|
| Drive time | Approx. 2 hr 15 min from NYC; 45 min from Albany |
| Race trail | Alley Cat |
| Race lift | The quad (approx. 9 minute turnaround without lift lines) |
| Warm-up trails | Glade or Sidewinder |
| Lift ticket |
Catamount is on the Indy Pass and offers an annual pass in cooperation with nearby Berkshire East. We include your lift ticket as part of your race entry, but if you have a pass that works at Catamount we will remove the lift ticket cost from your fee. |
| Nearest towns | Hillsdale, NY and Great Barrington, MA |
Race Day Logistics
| Detailed schedule | We share our race-day schedule in advance in the race day information sheet. This will be available prior to the race on the registration page, and via WhatsApp. |
|---|---|
| Start lists | Shared on WhatsApp. Second run is reverse order within age class. |
| Registration | Enter in advance on AdminSkiRacing. Entries close roughly two days out; there is no day-of registration. |
The Race Trail
Alley Cat is the race trail at Catamount. Warm up on Glade or Sidewinder.
Racing at Catamount: Common Questions
Which trail do we race?
Alley Cat.
Do I need a lift ticket?
We price a discounted lift ticket into your race registration fee. If you have a season pass, we will deduct the cost of the lift ticket from your bill.
Where do I warm up, and how long is the lift ride?
Warm up on Glade or Sidewinder. The quad turns around in about nine minutes when there are no lift lines. Some of our racers also like warming up on Race Slope to get more practice reps from a shorter lift.
Where should I stay?
Many racers day-trip to Catamount, since it is only two hours and fifteen minutes from New York City and forty-five minutes from Albany. If you do want to stay overnight, Hillsdale and Great Barrington are the nearest towns.
Where do I find the start list and race schedule?
Start lists are posted on the Race Day Communications WhatsApp group. Timing and order of events are in the race information sheet that we will share via WhatsApp.
Is this a good venue for a first race?
Definitely! Catamount's race trail is a fun giant slalom hill with a relatively even pitch and interesting terrain. It's a favorite for many of our racers and a great course to give you the feel of a full length GS hill without feeling intimidating. The race trail is easy to find and located right by the base lodge.
Thinking About Your First Race?
Use the links below to learn more about Masters ski racing and how to get started racing with Mid-Atlantic Masters.
| Adult Ski Racing 101 | What Masters racing is, who can do it and what it costs. Start here if you have never raced! |
|---|---|
| Getting Started | Licenses, membership, and the five steps to entering your first race. |
| Camps & Training | Camps, weekly gate training and beer leagues for practice and coaching. |
| Equipment | What gear you need to race. |
| All Race Venues | Guides to every mountain where we race, with trails, logistics and travel notes. |
Enter a Race at Catamount
Check the schedule for our Catamount dates and enter through AdminSkiRacing. Entries close roughly two days out, so sign up as soon as you know your plans.