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Mountain Creek ski resort is Sussex County’s big winter playground, a four-peak ski and snowboard area at 200 Route 94 in Vernon, NJ. Its winter season runs December through March, and passes for the 2026-27 season are on sale now, so here is our team’s guide to lift tickets, passes, lessons, rentals, night skiing and what we know about opening day.
- What: Skiing, snowboarding, terrain parks, lessons, rentals, Sno-Go ski bikes and snowtubing
- Where: Mountain Creek Resort, 200 Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
- When: 2026-27 winter season, which the resort lists as December through March; opening day not yet announced
- Cost: All Access Season Pass $399.99 plus fees, Value Season Pass $349.99 plus fees, Triple Play Card $119.99 plus fees (limited time)
- Link: Mountain Creek tickets and passes
Mountain Creek by the numbers
Mountain Creek calls itself the NYC metro area’s closest four-season mountain resort, and the resort says it sits just 47 miles from New York City. Its winter quick facts list a vertical drop of 1,040 feet, a summit elevation of 1,480 feet, 100 percent snowmaking coverage and an average of 65 inches of natural snow per year.
The mountain has 46 trails and 8 lifts: two high speed quads, a high speed eight-passenger gondola, two fixed grip quads, a fixed grip triple, a fixed grip double and three magic carpets. Skiing and riding are spread across four peaks, including Vernon Peak, home to the Red Tail Lodge base area, and South Peak with its own South Lodge.
The resort has been teaching people to ski since 1965 and says it has introduced more than 1 million guests to their first days on snow.
Mountain Creek opening day for 2026-27
As of this writing, Mountain Creek has not posted an opening date for the 2026-27 winter. The resort lists its season length as December through March, and opening depends on cold enough nights to make snow. Season passes and Triple Play Cards are picked up at the resort on the first day of the season, so the opening announcement is the moment to watch for.
The best place to check is the Mountain Report, which lists lift and trail status, hours and daily updates. Until then, Fall Fest wraps up on Sunday, November 1; see our Mountain Creek Fall Fest guide.
Mountain Creek ski pass options
Mountain Creek sells two season passes for 2026-27, both valid for ages 7 to 79. Prices do not include taxes and municipal fees.
- All Access Season Pass, $399.99 plus fees: Unlimited access for the 2026-27 winter with no blackout dates and no reservations required.
- Value Season Pass, $349.99 plus fees: Valid any time except blackout dates of December 24 through January 3, January 16 to 18, and February 13 to 16. No reservations required.
Skiers and riders age 80 and up get a free season pass, and children 6 and under can be added for free during checkout with an adult season pass purchase (proof of age is required at pickup). An optional Pass Guarantee costs $49.99.
Both passes include Bonus Hour, when the slopes are reserved for All Access and Value pass holders every Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Cabriolet and South Peak lifts. The season pass page also lists perks for 2026-27 such as 15 percent off food and beverage (excluding alcohol and packaged products), 15 percent off retail and rental packages, repair shop discounts, free ski and board check, lodging discounts at the resort’s Appalachian Hotel, free snowtubing on non-holiday Thursday and Friday nights, and discounts at partner resorts including sister resort Big SNOW American Dream. Check the chart on that page to see which perks come with which pass. Season passes do not include parking.
Triple Play Cards and lift tickets
If you plan to ski a handful of days instead of all winter, the Triple Play Card gets you three anytime visits with no blackout dates and no reservations. Mountain Creek lists it at a limited time price of $119.99 plus fees and says that price goes up after Sunday, November 1 at 11:59 p.m.
The Triple Play Plus, listed at $169.99 plus fees, bundles three full day access tickets, three full day ski or snowboard rentals and access to the Terrain Based Learning skills area on all three days.
Single day lift tickets are sold online only. The resort offers a Full Day Access Ticket and a Twilight Access Ticket that starts at 3 p.m., and children 6 and under and guests 80 and up ski free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Day ticket prices for 2026-27 were not posted yet when we checked, and quantities are limited, so buy ahead once they go live.
Terrain and terrain parks
Mountain Creek is known for its parks. The resort’s terrain park page says its parks span an entire mountain peak with setups from extra small to large, ranging from ride-on progression boxes to big street-style rails and large jumps. Park trails include Canyon and Cloud 9 for smaller features, Lift Line and Tail Spin for medium, and The Gully, The Arena and Red Tail for bigger hits.
Want something different? Sno-Go ski bikes can be rented at the Red Tail Lodge and now have access to all trails and all lifts across all four peaks. Riders must be at least 5 feet tall, and a snow access ticket is required.
Lessons and rentals
The Snowsports School operates daily out of the Snowsports building directly across the footbridge in the Vernon base area. First timers can book the GO Package, which bundles a full day access ticket, full day ski or snowboard rentals and access to the Terrain Based Learning area, where ambassadors guide you through the basics in a controlled setting. GO Packages must be bought online with an arrival time slot at the rental shop.
Kids ages 4 to 12 can join Kid’s Camp packages that include a two hour lesson with snow access, rentals and group instruction, and private lessons are available for anyone who wants one-on-one coaching. Adaptive lessons and racing programs are offered too. See all options on the lessons and camps page.
The rental center is on the first floor of the Red Tail Lodge and uses Burton snowboards and Head skis. Season pass and Triple Play holders can reserve a la carte rental packages online.
Night skiing at Mountain Creek
Mountain Creek’s quick facts list night skiing as offered daily, and the Twilight Access Ticket kicks in at 3 p.m. Lift hours change through the season, so check the Mountain Report for the current schedule before you drive up.
Getting there and parking
From most of North Jersey, take Route 23 North, exit onto Route 515 North, then follow Route 94 South to the resort, per Mountain Creek’s directions page.
General parking is free in the lot across the street from the Red Tail Lodge. Premium parking in the Cobblestone Village lot is $20 and must be bought online, and a premium lot right next to the Red Tail Lodge is also sold online. Mountain Creek is a cashless resort, so bring a card.
Where to stay near Mountain Creek
The closest beds are at The Appalachian at Mountain Creek, a condominium hotel at the base of Vernon Peak with studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units featuring kitchens, working fireplaces and mountain views, plus a heated outdoor pool and hot tub.
A few minutes away, Crystal Springs Resort runs two hotels. Minerals Hotel at 2 Chamonix Drive in Vernon has indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, steam room and hot tubs, with Frosty’s Cantina open in winter, and Grand Cascades Lodge is a AAA Four Diamond hotel with its Biosphere indoor and outdoor pool complex. Planning a holiday stay? See our Crystal Springs Thanksgiving guide.
More to do in Vernon this winter
Mountain Creek stays busy before the lifts even spin. The resort’s annual Holiday Market fills Cobblestone Village on Saturday, November 21, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with local vendors and photos with Santa, and you can find more like it in our Sussex County Christmas markets roundup. Later in the season, the Vernon Township Board of Recreation brings back the Yeti or Not Snowshoe Invasion on Saturday, January 30, 2027.
After a day on the slopes, refuel at one of our picks for the best restaurants in Vernon, or plan a full weekend with our things to do in Vernon NJ guide. Non-skiers in your crew can lace up at a local rink from our ice skating in Sussex County guide, and our November things to do list covers what is happening across the county right now.
Tip from our team: If you are on the fence about a season pass, the Triple Play Card is the smart middle ground, but lock it in before the price goes up after November 1. Then buy your parking online ahead of time and aim for an early start, since Bonus Hour pass holders get first tracks on weekends from 8 to 9 a.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Mountain Creek open for the 2026-27 ski season?
Mountain Creek has not announced an opening date yet. The resort lists its winter season as December through March, and updates are posted on the Mountain Report at mountaincreek.com.
How much is a Mountain Creek ski pass?
For 2026-27, the All Access Season Pass is $399.99 plus fees with no blackout dates, and the Value Season Pass is $349.99 plus fees with holiday blackout dates. Both cover ages 7 to 79. Kids 6 and under get a free pass with an adult pass, and guests 80 and up ski free.
Does Mountain Creek have night skiing?
Yes. The resort’s quick facts list night skiing as offered daily, and the Twilight Access Ticket starts at 3 p.m. Check the Mountain Report for current lift hours.
Is there snow tubing at Mountain Creek?
Yes. The resort runs a snowtubing park near Cobblestone Village in the winter, and the 2026-27 season pass perks include free tubing on non-holiday Thursday and Friday nights. Check the snowtubing page for sessions and tickets.
Primary sources: Mountain Creek season passes, Triple Play, day tickets and parking, rentals, lessons, news and press quick facts, terrain park, directions, resort lodging and Crystal Springs Resort.
Featured photo: Mountain Creek Resort via mountaincreek.com.
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