VERNON, N.J. -- At the foot of Hamburg Mountain, less than 50 miles
from New York, Mountain Creek -- one of the newest resorts from
Canadian developer Intrawest Corp. -- has begun construction on
another World Class Destination Resort Village.
I had a chance to view a scale model of the Village at Mountain
Creek shortly before they broke ground on its first building last
summer, and I can say I've seen nothing like it in New Jersey. The
Appalachian at Mountain Creek -- the heart of the Village -- will
be ready for guests next winter, according to Jay Wilmoth, director
of development for Mountain Creek.
The Village will consist of pedestrian plazas with shops,
boutiques, galleries, restaurants and cafes lining cobblestone
streets. When completed, the Appalachian, which will stand at the
entrance to the Village and at the foot of the slopes, will offer
177 resort mountain homes.
It also will provide a four-season, private swimming pool; two
hot tubs; ski-in/ski-out access; a fitness center; a family
restaurant -- and a fresh opportunity for travel agents to earn 10%
commission on a high-end product.
Each home is designed to fit into the Intrawest Lodging Program,
which makes units available for rent at the owner's discretion.
Rentals are available now at Black Creek Sanctuary, Mountain
Creek's initial development here, which opened in 2000.
Of the 133 one-, two- and three-bedroom, privately owned homes
-- many of which abut an estuary that flows into the Black Creek
(thus the name) -- a variety are available for rent year-round.
Room rates average $159 to $379 per night and rise to $229 to
$449 per night during peak ski season.
When making a reservation, be sure to request a townhouse that
overlooks the estuary. You'll have great views of birds and other
wildlife from the living room, dining room and master bedroom.
Mountain Creek recently replaced the estuary's old boardwalk,
dock system and bridge with a floating boardwalk; a gazebo; a
nature trail that includes nesting boxes for bluebirds and wood
ducks; bat houses; bird blinds; and restored habitats for wood
turtles and other wildlife, turning the wetlands into a refuge for
guests to enjoy.
My husband and I, our teen-age grandson and his friend spent the
weekend at Black Creek Sanctuary.
The three-bedroom townhome we occupied mixed homestyle comfort
with luxurious touches, including Adirondack-style furnishings; a
dining room with an enormous table; a large, comfortable bedrooms;
a bathroom with a Jacuzzi and a separate shower; daily maid
service; and a laundry room that came in handy after a surprise
downpour.
I was content to sit by the gas fire and read, looking up now
and then to soak in the view, while my husband took the boys for a
real soaking at the Mountain Creek Waterpark.
Guests at Black Creek Sanctuary can walk along paths to the
30-plus-acre park, one of the state's largest themed water
attractions.
The waterpark has 26 rides, slides and attractions, including a
variety of water-fun activities for little ones.
Black Creek, located across Route 94 from the Appalachian, is
considered an extension of the coming Village and will be connected
via shuttle, Wilmoth said.
For golfers, Mountain Creek boasts access to a variety of
championship courses and is offering golf packages that include
accommodations at Black Creek Sanctuary. Rates start at $155 per
person, per night. Rates for nongolfers are also available and
include accommodations only.
Intrawest owns and/or operates more than 12 mountain resorts,
including Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Tremblant in
Quebec, Stratton in Vermont and Mammoth in California.
For lodging information, call (973) 209-3300 or visit www.mountaincreek.com.
To contact Destinations editor Margaret Myre, send e-mail to
[email protected].