Mountain Creek Ski Resort Celebrates 60 Years in New Jersey

The popular winter destination offers skiing, snowboarding, and a rich history of winter sports in the Garden State.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Scribe embarks on a 'Ski the South' adventure, visiting Mountain Creek Ski Resort in Vernon, New Jersey. Despite being an unlikely winter sports destination, the resort has been in operation for 60 years and is the largest in the state, offering six chairlifts, a unique open-air gondola, and terrain across three distinct peaks. The Scribe explores the busy resort on a crowded President's Day weekend, finding excellent snow conditions, vibrant terrain parks, and a community of local skiers and snowboarders with deep roots in the sport.

Why it matters

Mountain Creek's longevity and popularity as a winter destination in the Northeast highlights how skiing and snowboarding have become ingrained in the culture of the Garden State, even in areas not traditionally associated with winter sports. The resort's evolution from smaller, separate areas into a major regional draw showcases how dedicated communities can build thriving winter sports hubs, even outside of the major mountain ranges.

The details

The Scribe finds Mountain Creek bustling with activity, with a packed parking lot and long lift lines, despite its location in New Jersey. He explores the resort's three distinct peaks - Vernon, Granite, and South - accessing them via six chairlifts and a unique open-air gondola called a cabriolet. Mountain Creek has a rich 60-year history, growing out of the merger of the Great Gorge and Vernon Valley ski areas, and is home to one of America's most famous winter Olympians, gold medalist mogul skier Donna Weinbrecht.

  • Mountain Creek is celebrating its 60th anniversary of operations this year.
  • The Scribe visited the resort on a busy Sunday during President's Week.

The players

Mountain Creek Ski Resort

A major ski resort in Vernon, New Jersey, offering 1,040 feet of vertical drop across three peaks and six chairlifts, as well as a unique open-air gondola.

Donna Weinbrecht

A gold medalist in mogul skiing at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics, who hails from the Vernon Valley area near Mountain Creek.

Tanya Patrie

The Race Director at the Mountain Creek Ski Racing Department.

Boris Kaushansky

A long-time member of the Mountain Creek Ski Racing team.

Gregory Gilkes

A long-time member of the Mountain Creek Ski Racing team, with a daughter who races at a ski academy.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Scribe plans to continue his 'Ski the South' tour by visiting WISP Ski Resort in McHenry, Maryland next.

The takeaway

Mountain Creek's success as a major winter sports destination in New Jersey, despite its unlikely location, demonstrates how dedicated communities can build thriving ski and snowboard cultures outside of traditional mountain regions. The resort's 60-year history and support for winter sports like racing and terrain parks have made it a hub for winter enthusiasts in the Northeast.