There’s a flurry of activity at Campgaw Mountain as the winter ski season kicks off.
Joe Fox, CEO of Ski Campgaw Management Incorporated, oversees it all. “We usually open in mid-December, but it always depends on when the weather permits snowmaking,” he says. The park itself is county-owned but operated by the management company.
Seasonal passes are on sale now, and daily passes are also available; however, Joe warns that along with COVID, came the crowds. “It’s easier if you have a season pass rather than having to get in line to buy tickets. We’ve segmented the day for morning and evening passes to distribute the crowds better and make more rentals available for everyone. You can purchase day passes ahead of time online or buy them on-site, but if it’s a busy day, you may be out of luck. You can also reserve equipment online.
Campgaw offers learn-to-ski programs for young children through adults. They offer a variety of private lessons that fit every demographic—from newbies who have never been on skis to experienced skiers. “It’s a great mountain for beginners, says Joe. We have a 300’ vertical drop, and it’s not super-crowded like other mountains. The lifts get you back up quickly, and you can get a lot of runs in!”
Campgaw opens up to 13 trails as the season progresses with natural snowfall and snow-making weather. The facility also offers night skiing.
Tubing is another popular option that opens up the beauty of the great, wintry outdoors to people who don’t ski. “If you loved sledding as a kid, tubing is right up your alley,” says Joe. “It also lends itself to large group activities. We can arrange for groups of 20 up to several hundred.” Campgaw hosts high school and middle school ski clubs, moms’ groups, church youth groups, and Boy and Girl Scout Troops.
The ski lodge offers retail sales for ski accessories, t-shirts, and hoodies. Grab lunch or a snack when you need a break from the commissary, which offers burgers, hot dogs, soup, and more. Settle in alongside the giant wood-burning fire pit in the center of the lodge, where a blazing fire is always ready to welcome chilly skiers.
Since it first opened in 1969, Campgaw has been a “frozen asset” of our community. The site employs about 700 residents throughout the winter and provides the perfect, close-to-home skiing for adults and kids alike. It’s an easy drop-off for parents of teens and a great place to unwind with a few runs in after work. Stop by and enjoy all that this Mahwah mountain has to offer!
skicampgaw.com
