By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Though not as mountainous as other regions of the state, Central New York offers a few places to ski that can keep locals on the slopes more regularly and offer a novel skiing experience to tourists.
Resort
Ski resorts allow you to stay where you play. With on-site dining, ski shops and more, they offer the ultimate in convenience. While CNY has only one ski resort, it is an excellent family destination.
• Greek Peak is an all-inclusive family resort with more than just great skiing, cross country skiing, snow tubing and snowshoeing. Its indoor waterpark provides a balmy break from the cold and a fun option for any non-skiers in your group (although some features may not be open because of the pandemic). Cascades Waterpark includes a wave pool, indoor pool and the kiddie pool. (Its hot tub, slides and splashing water features remain closed because of the pandemic.) To further entertain the children, Greek Peak has an arcade and the Bearfoot Den Activities Center, which offers Wii games, creative crafts, board games, books, and puzzles. Greek Peak’s children’s programing includes daily events, such as pajama parties, movie nights, scavenger hunts and more. The facility offers a fitness center and kick sled rentals for all ages. The full-service spa on the grounds is an ideal way to unwind and rejuvenate after a day’s skiing adventure. Greek Peak also offers dining on the grounds at Edgewater, its poolside café, Trax Pub & Grill ski-side, Acorn Grill, and Bobcat Lounge (temporarily closed) at Hope Lake Lodge.
Directions: 2000 state Route 392, Cortland. 800-0955-2754. www.greekpeak.net
Ski Centers
Oriented toward beginning skiers who have much to learn and more advanced skiers who want to stay active in their sport between ski trips, local ski centers can make skiing more accessible to all.
• Song Mountain Ski Resort offers on-site dining, but not lodging. Nevertheless, Song Mountain’s two dozen trails in a variety of levels of difficulty make it a worthy ski trip. It also provides an inter-mountain passport for access to Labrador Mountain at no additional fees.
Directions: 1 Song Mountain Road, Tully. 315-696-5711. www.skicny.com
• Labrador Mountain provides 20 trails and a restaurant. Stay at a place of lodging nearby and enjoy both Song Mountain and Labrador for a ski weekend.
Directions: 6935 Route 91, Truxton. 607-842-6204. www.skicny.com
• Cazenovia Ski Club is a private ski club; however, its 100 acres represent a broad spectrum of skiing terrain. For frequent skiers in the area, it may be worth joining to ensure constant and close access to skiing opportunities.
Directions: 5251 Rathbun Road, Cazenovia. 315-655-8368. http://skicaz.com
• Camillus Ski Club offers beginners an introduction to skiing and snowboarding; however, the nonprofit also benefits the community through a variety of outreaches involving food justice and volunteering.
Directions: 401 Blackmore Road, Camillus. 315-487-2778. https://camillusskihill.com
• Toggenburg Mountain Winter Sports Center has 21 trails at all levels of difficulty, lessons, a ski shop and an on-site restaurant. A family ski center, Toggenburg is a great choice for locals who frequently ski together.
Directions: 1135 Toggenburg Road, Fabius. 315-683-5842. www.skitog.com
• Four Seasons Golf & Ski Center offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing, making it a good place to go for families that want a variety of winter recreation. Four Seasons has recently added more warming areas. Discount season passes, one-time passes and lesson packages are available online.
Directions: 8012 E. Genesee St. Route 5, Fayetteville. 315-637-9023. www.fourseasonsgolfandski.com