Adventure seekers will find serious satisfaction in the Catskill Region year-round. 
Winter features great skiing, ice climbing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.  Come spring, the ice and snow recede and feed the rivers, opening up a full menu of water-borne activities.  If you wish to get your feet wet, you should head west to Lander’s River Trips.  Lander’s offers canoeing, kayaking, rafting and tubing down the Delaware River, which can rise to a Class III when the water levels are high enough.  The warmer months also reveal a bevy of outdoor opportunities in the Catskill Region such as rock climbing, skydiving, mountain biking and hiking.

Gliding
If it has ever been your wish to experience the freedom of soaring through the sky and taking a birds-eye view of the world – look no further, as several outfitters in the Catskill Region can help you to reach those heights.  Mountain Wings in Ellenville offers lessons in hang-gliding, paragliding and ultra-lighting.  The type of aircraft used varies, and can be a single- or two-seater with an open or closed cockpit; the Flight Star is a widely used model. 

The oldest soaring site in the U.S. is at Wurtsboro Airport in Wurtsboro, where Schweizer 233 gliders are towed by L19 aircraft.  These two-seat gliders boast a vintage appeal and reach heights of 2,500 feet! 

Ice Climbing and Rock Climbing
Ice climbing is a sport akin to mountaineering and involves the use of ropes, harnesses, ice axes and crampons, all of which you’ll need as you attempt to ascend ice formations over steep cliffs and up frozen waterfalls.  The Catskill Region is one of the best locations in the U.S. for the sport, due to its high number of gorges and waterfalls, which, as they freeze form vertical walls of ice perfect for climbing.  The Shawangunk Mountains (a.k.a. “The Gunks”) in Ulster County have been a Mecca for rock climbing for years.  When the winter freeze sets in, they yield superior ice climbing conditions. 

Routes such as The Notch, The Playground, Hellhole and Kaaterskill Falls are excellent and challenging terrain for your first attempt or to perfect your skill set.  Climbing shops, outfitters and adventure specialists such as Alpine Endeavors, Rock & Snow and Mountain Skills, are instrumental in supporting ice climbing, rock climbing and hiking in the Catskill Region.  If you intend to venture out there it is highly advisable to visit one of these shops to make sure you have the right gear and to glean as much local knowledge as you can.  Eastern Mountain Sports maintains a rock climbing school in New Paltz that offers one- to four-day lessons in rock climbing or one- to three-day instruction in ice climbing. 

Skydiving
One of the most reputable skydiving outfitters, not only in the northeast, but also throughout the country, is located right in the Catskill Region in Gardiner.  Skydive the Ranch offers a wide range of jump programs for certification as well as the one-time tandem skydiving adventure. 

Mountain Biking
A challenging fat-tire jaunt can be an adventure throughout upstate New York.  When you’re riding in the Catskill Region, there is a prevailing sense that something special may be stumbled upon during a journey or discovered along the trail.   Whether it’s an invigorating excursion on the nine miles of the Overlook Mountain Ascent near Woodstock, a challenging route down Hunter Mountain or a moderate passage along the 12 miles of the D&H Heritage Corridor, the Catskill Region has something to offer every rider.

If you’re looking for a technical challenge, head on over to Plattekill Mountain any time from April through November and reward yourself with a descent down the winter resort’s slopes.  The mountain features more than 60 miles of everything from fast, open runs to narrow single-track, serviced by the mountain’s ski lifts. 

Plattekill is a classic bike park with some of the best riding on the East Coast, and was voted one of the “top five places to ride in the U.S.” by Bike Magazine in 2003.  The mountain is also host to a number of National Off-Road Biking Association (N.O.R.B.A.) sanctioned mountain bike races.  Additional N.O.R.B.A. race series events, such as Masters of the Mountains, have been held in recent years at Windham, Hunter Mountain and Riedlbaur's Resort.

Skiing, Snowboarding and Snowtubing
There is a vast range of ski slopes in the Catskill Mountains featuring almost 200 trails offering a diverse range of challenges.  Which means that whether you are an expert, intermediate or a beginner – get ready to strap on those boots, lock into your bindings and start carving up some snow.  Sophisticated snowmaking capabilities have been installed at the major resorts to lend a hand when nature’s allotted snowfall is a bit lacking, which goes a long way towards hedging the risk involved with advance bookings.