Dynamite Hill - Chestertown

Dynamite Hill (… officially known as the Town of Chester Recreation Area) is located in the hamlet of Chestertown. This is a small hill (only a 65’ drop, not exactly Adirondack alpine skiing!). It’s just a beginner/intermediate slope, but offers quite a bit.

… And best of all it’s absolutely FREE, and open to the public!

The ski hill has a rope tow and is lighted for night skiing. There is also a small covered ice skating rink, lighted cross-country skiing/snowshoe trails and an area for sleds/toboggans for those who don’t ski.

There is a small but very nice lodge for getting warm. Some refreshments are available, and at a very reasonable price!

Dynamite Hill is our favorite small hill and has great sentimental value for us (… and can for you too!).

Imagine … Vacationing for a weekend stay with family and friends at one of the local Adirondack vacation homes for rent nestled in the Adirondack Mountains. You arrive in the early afternoon and unpack, relax, and have dinner.

In the early evening you, the kids, and your friends go to Dynamite Hill. This is great because some may be just learning to ski and skiing at the hill is totally free (…imagine the cost savings?).

Later in the evening you relax at the chalet (maybe with even a couple of cocktails!).

In the morning, everyone is up early for breakfast and its back to the recreation Area for morning skiing (or sledding/ice skating if you don’t ski). Then it’s back to the chalet for lunch (or eat at the lodge at the top of the hill), and more skiing in the afternoon. Then again in the evening it’s back to the hill!

For some it might sound like a little much, but our family has done it many times! Believe me, this is how beginners really learn how to ski! ...By making it a entire weekend experience!

And don’t forget, you didn’t have to pay for a weekend full of outdoor activities.

And, if you are really creative with your weekend, maybe even some of the adults can take turns on getting away to Gore Mountain for some great big mountain intermediate/expert New York downhill skiing! And it’s only a 15 minute drive!

If you plan to go to Dynamite Hill you should probably stop by or call to check the schedule because the hill is operated by volunteers (the Rotary Club, very friendly and helpful!) and schedules may vary. Mostly, the ski area is open on weekends and holidays, and some nights.

Chestertown annual event!

Each February, Chestertown sponsors an intriguing, unusual, and hilarious show of home-built sleds at the annual "Krazy Downhill Derby" at the municipal Hill. The derby is just a small part of the annual get together at the hill that includes many activities and meeting new and interesting people.

Looking for a Place to Stay Nearby:

• Check out our Adirondack vacation home.

Directions:

The entrance to Dynamite Hill is located on Route 8, just a couples miles west off of I-87, Exit 25. If coming from our chalet at Loon Lake it’s just a 4 minute drive on Route 8 east!

View Dynamite Hill in a larger map