Mountain Creek & Crystal Springs - New Jersey's Burgeoning Vacation and Real Estate Destination

Recreational activities

Tucked away in the Northwest corner of New Jersey lie two little known gems - Mountain Creek Resort & Crystal Springs Golf Resort (affiliated with the Minerals Resort). Far and away the top ski and snowboard destination in New Jersey, Mountain Creek offers not only fabulous skiing and snowboarding, but a top notch water park for those hot summer months. Being at elevation in quaint Vernon, NJ not only serves the skiers well but helps to keep the temperature an average of ten degrees warmer in summer.

The snow resort is home to classic beginner-through-expert terrain on Vernon and Granite Peaks. First-timers, families and all leisure skiers and snowboarders spend their time playing then choose where to relax for a break. Discount lift tickets are available for much less than the retail price. There are myriad places in nearby Vernon, Warwick NY, and other small towns which offer a tremendous selection of activities for both singles and families. More about this below.

Mountain Creek - formerly known as Vernon Valley or Great Gorge - has long been a fixture in the NJ Skylands region. In the 70's Action Park was the summer attraction. It has long since been revamped and modernized and is now called the Mountain Creek Water Park, a truly unique park carved into the natural mountainside, and featuring over 26 rides and attractions.

When mountain biking became popular in the 80's the designers sculpted out an internationally renowned mountain bike course. Diablo Freeride Park has risen to the top of every thrill-seeking mountain biker's must ride list. Playing host to the U.S. Open of Mountain Biking, Diablo features challenging terrain serviced by the open air gondola used by skiers and snowboarders in winter.

If golf is your game, you can experience world class golfing just minutes from Mountain Creek. Choose from six award-winning golf courses, each with its own set of characteristics and challenges. From beginners to experts, the courses offer something for everyone. There are 6 distinct and challenging courses to choose from:
- Crystal Spring Golf Club in Hardyston, NJ
- Wild Turkey Golf Club - Hardyston, NJ
- Great Gorge Country Club - McAfee, NJ
- Minerals Golf Club - Vernon, NJ
- Ballyowen Golf Club - Hamburg, NJ (rated #1 public golf course in NJ)
- Black Bear Golf Club - Franklin, NJ

Real Estate
As urban and suburban areas get more and more congested, people are increasingly moving further and further from NYC and the more congested areas of NJ.

The Village at Crystal Springs is an exclusive, northern New Jersey real estate community in a comfortable resort setting. Nestled in the scenic Kittatinny Mountains, the collection of luxurious New Jersey homes are situated in the Northeast's premier four-season residential resort.

This choice selection of prime real estate in New Jersey is complemented by Crystal Springs Resort's 7 award-winning golf courses, 2 luxury spas, world-class dining and wine-cellar - and is just 47 miles from Manhattan.

Whether you're looking to buy a primary residence, vacation getaway spot or investment property, you'll find a variety of home styles and floor plans to meet every taste.

Spas

Elements Spa

The Elements Spa is located at Crystal Springs Resort (often called Minerals Resort) is ranked in the top 20 spas in America and #1 in NJ. This Northern New Jersey luxury spa was designed in such a way that the healing powers of the earth have been incorporated into breathtaking design and rejuvenating services.

Reflections Spa
The brand-new Reflections Spa is certain to challenge Elements for the honor of being the # 1 ranked spa in NJ Reflections' Service Menu includes many themes and elements of the resort and local environment, such as "The Wine Cellar" featuring treatments using wine and grape seed extracts.

Other local attractions and activities in the NJ Skylands region:

There are a plethora of things to do year round in this area. Pumpkin and apple picking, hayrides, wineries, vineyards, and distillers. Experience how wine is made and life on the orchard.

Explore the Appalachian trail through the Kitatinny range in Northern, NJ. You'll find amazing scenery and you only need a day to hike a portion of beautiful New Jersey. Hot air balloon rides are offered by http://www.abovethecloudsinc.com

They are located just over the border in Harriman, NY.

Warwick, New York

Located fifty-five miles from New York City, The Town of Warwick has a distinctly rural character with rolling hills and farmland dotted with red barns and gracious old farmhouses. The Town of Warwick spans 104 square miles and includes three villages (Florida, Greenwood Lake, and Warwick) and five hamlets (Amity, Bellvale, Edenville, New Milford and Pine Island). Warwick's natural beauty extends beyond its farmland to mountains, streams and lakes. Greenwood Lake, the closest lake to New York City large enough to accommodate water sports, has long been a popular summer resort of such famous entertainment and sports figures as Babe Ruth. The ten-mile-long lake straddles the New York / New Jersey border.

Jamis Mountain Bikes

The story behind Jamis Mountain bikes is one of passion, commitment, inspiration and perfection. In short it's a story of great men and women dedicated to build a perfect bicycle. In fact, what is Today a national powerhouse distributing globally, started out in 1937 as a humble local distributor of imported European bicycles and their parts. Today, GJC is one of the largest and oldest bicycle companies.

GJC acquired Jamis mountain bikes in the year 1990 and since then it has been improving. Notably, the then bunch delivered in Dakar in early 1990's for racing. This were no gimmicks, no compromise and no nonsense designs that were custom built and ready to race.

Dual-suspended Diablo, is another type that has been sensational to the fans worldwide. Made of monocoque frame molded of carbon fiber, it has remained the first of it kind. At the pick of carbon fiber, a Xenith series of road bikes were introduced and as if not enough, the XC Expert and Dakar XC Pro featured the lightweight carbon bell-cranks and seat stays.

Good things always last and so will good history in the making. With Jamis mountain bikes, it's not yet done and actually the history is still in the making. With the newly redesigned carbon fiber Xenith series, things couldn't be any better. They are a major hit and in fact many professional racers are already proclaiming it's the best for racing. The frame is designed with stiffness, comfort and light weight well balanced. As if all this is not enough, the New MP3 suspension that is even lighter, stiffer and more efficient is destined to be introduced this year.

Mountain Bike Trails in California

Mountain biking is very popular in the golden state of California. If you want a ride or mountain bike trials in California, then northern California is the best place. The whole of California has a beautiful landscape and you can find many social biking clubs in California. As a beginner or professional, you can get the right guidance from the experts or just keep reading to find the perfect trial place in California.

The Los Angeles County and San Diego County in the southern part offers the best place for mountain bike trials in California. The breathtaking sights and ideal climate allows you to experience the amazing bike trials in the woods or along the beach side. The 8 miles bike trial along the Huntington Beach in Orange County is a great venue for those who like to have fun by the coast. The San Diego Creek bike trial is 10 miles long and starts from the city of Irvine to upper Newport Bay. For the best mountain biking experience, you can choose the Azusa Mountains in Los Angeles County. You can start the trial at an altitude of 1000 feet above the San Gabriel River and paddle down the mountain.

If you want to experience extreme mountain bike trails in California, the Eastern Sierra is the best place. You can practice the most adventurous and new advanced trials at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area's bike park in Sierra. You really need a modern bike for trial at Mammoth Mountain because the route has plenty of obstacles on the way. The trial route is designed according to your ability of riding. As a newcomer, you are not allowed to take trial on a route that is designed for experts. Each route is thrilling and has its own identity. Apart from Mammoth Mountain, the grassy, rolling Hill of Marin County in northern California is another adventurous venue in California.

A guide to mountain bike trials in California is never ending. The north state offers miles of excellent sing track trials. The Whiskey town, Shasta Lake, Weaverville, and Redding California is surrounded by stunning scenic locations. Mount Diablo is the heart and soul of mountain bike trials in California. Mount Diablo is the tallest mountain in east Bay area and offers bike riders a great chance to adapt with the nature. The next in the list is the most successful and beautiful lined bike path in Sacramento. The mountain bike trial is approximately 32 mile long and starts from downward Sacramento to Folsom dam.

Well, the list of mountain bike trials in California cannot be listed in words. With the increase in popularity of mountain biking the new venues are adding up at fast pace. As a newcomer, you just need to be strong and mentally prepared. Never forget to carry the safety equipments such as helmet, goggle, hand gloves, biking shoes, and above all the modern mountain bicycle.