Long Island Ski Area Looking Up

In early June, I mentioned the daydream of an enclosed ski area in Riverhead, Long Island. Well that dream is a little closer to becoming a reality - about $2,000,000 closer.

Recently, officials of Riverside Resorts turned over an unrefundable $2M to the town of Riverhead to initiate the environmental, engineering, energy, and other review studies necessary before the proposed project can began construction. The investors, led by Scottish home builders Baldragon Homes Ltd. and real estate developers Bayrock Group LLC, say the payment is a sign of their commitment to the project, which is being proposed for 160 acres of the old Northrup Grumman site.

Only 75 miles east of New York City, the resort will include, in addition to the 35 story ski area, an indoor water park, a convention center and hotel, a winery, equestrian trails, campgrounds, an artificial lake, and a spa surrounded by botanical gardens.

While, if all plans go as the developers see it, skiing isn't planned until 2013. Maybe you might want to makes some subtle inquiries into possible slopeside properties, but don't look for anything resembling an alpine chalet.

_{Dubai Snowdome Copyright Getty Images Chris Jackson}