A winter getaway is taking center stage at Thunder Ridge in Putnam County during this week’s Road Trip Close to Home.

“I could ski up and down this mountain all day long and never get tired of it,” said Dean Ryder, owner of Thunder Ridge Ski Area, in Patterson.

Ryder said Thunder Ridge is likely the closest ski area to the city and offers terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. “The trails are good. They’re everything from novice to expert. We have 22 trails,” he said.

The mountain operates eight lifts, including three chair lifts, and focuses heavily on snow conditions. “We blow copious amounts of snow. We groom constantly. We have a total of three groomers,” Ryder said.

Thunder Ridge also offers a full rental department. “We have a great rental department. Skis, boots, poles, everything you need and snowboards,” Ryder said.

Teaching is a major part of the mountain’s identity, according to Ryder. “We’re a big teaching mountain. We teach skiing and snowboarding. I learned how to ski here when it had two rope tows,” he said.

The lodge provides seating across multiple areas and mobile food ordering. “You order off your phone and 10 minutes later they bring the food out,” Ryder said.

Thunder Ridge is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with night skiing available. “Anybody can come here at any time and ski at night. We have a twilight ticket so you can get all the skiing you want in after work,” Ryder said.

Ryder said the people working at the mountain make the difference. “What makes the mountain really successful is we have great people working for us,” he said. “It’s a great place to bring your entire family. It’s just plain fun.”