Snowplace Like the
FINGER LAKES Visiting New York’s Winter Hotspot
Winter Sports | 1
Aerial View, South End of Canandaigua Lake, Woodville, NY
Table of Contents Everyone enjoys winter differently: some like to spend the coldest months in the comforts of a cozy lakehouse or beside the ski-lodge fireplace, taking in the snowy scenes before them. Others like to hit the slopes on skis or snowboards, gliding through the soft snow and embracing the elements. The Finger Lakes are a winter playground for any type of traveler – a picturesque region of inviting lodges, culinary excellence, world class beverages, seasonal celebrations, and rugged adventure. Discover why there's truly no place like the Finger Lakes during the chilliest time of year.
Chapter 1 Winter Sports in the Finger Lakes ����������������������������������������� 4-9
Chapter 2 Winter Wines and Finger Lakes Food �������������������������������� 10-15
Chapter 3 Winter Festivals and Celebrations ������������������������������������� 16-19
Chapter 4 Take Home a Souvenir �������������������������������������������������������� 20-23 Cover Image: Skier, Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Cortland, NY
®I LOVE NEW YORK logo is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission.
Get Out There! Winter sports in the finger lakes
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n the winter, the Finger Lakes are filled with picturesque snow-covered trails, hills, lakes, waterfalls, and mountains – all ready for you to explore! Voyagers can quietly traipse through snow-dusted parks on snowshoes to take in sparkling snowflakes and curious wildlife. Sledders will love zooming across rural and forested trails on snowmobiles, with Sugar Hill and Hammond Hill State Forests as some of the best in the region. You’ll find that trails are marked for your activity level, vehicle, and expertise, so read carefully and explore to your heart’s content! Several of our parks are also known for their waterfalls, rushing in the summer, and freezing still in the depths of winter. Take in these unique beauties.
Slopes for all While our Adirondack neighbors to the north may be renown for their treacherous slopes, the Finger Lakes is the perfect ski destination for any skill-set: anyone from the beginner ski bunny to the seasoned expert... 4. www.fingerlakes.org Nordic Skier, Lime Hollow Nature Center, Cortland, NY
...will enjoy their time on the powdery slopes of the Finger Lakes. With several large ski resorts like Bristol Mountain, Song Mountain, Greek Peak, and Labrador Mountain boasting well over a combined 100 trails, any skier or snowboarder will find their powdery paradise. Improve your skills with a private lesson, work on your tricks at a terrain park, or soar over freshly fallen (or man-made) snow under the stars. Stay at a ski resort equipped with fun for all, or take a day trip to a smaller mountain, like Hunt Hollow or Skaneateles Ski Hill. Prefer cross-country skiing? Nordic skiers will find miles of both groomed and ungroomed trails to glide over. The local favorite, Hammond Hill State Forest has 20 miles to explore, or head to Livingston County to tour the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park.
Sharpen your skates From downtown setting on city streets to indoor community rinks, there are outdoor and indoor ice skating opportunities scattered throughout the Finger Lakes. More of a spectator? Check out a Division One hockey game at Cornell University, or cheer for professional teams like the Syracuse Crunch or Rochester Americans. Ice Skating, Clinton Square, Syracuse, NY Family of Skiiers, Bristol Mountain Ski Resort, Canandaigua, NY
WINTER SPORTS | 6
7. www.fingerlakes.org
The Gorge Trail, Filmore Glen State Park, Moravia, NY
A frozen fishing paradise We’re known for our pristine lakes – which means superb fishing year round. The Finger Lakes are regularly lauded as home to some of the most impressive fishing in the country. Some varieties in the area include trout, walleye, perch, and more. While our largest lakes can be several hundred feet deep, shallower lakes like Hemlock Lake, Honeoye Lake, and Keuka Lake are perfect for hours of ice fishing. Anglers, be sure your fishing license is updated, and pack your pole! Don’t have a license? It's easy for out-of-state visitors to get a 3-day visitors license. Or visit the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to find “Free Fishing Days.”
Group of Sledders, Weedsport, NY
8. www.fingerlakes.org Ice Skaters, The Lake House on Canandaigua, Canandaigua, NY
Food & Drink WINTER WINES & FINGER LAKES FOOD
Fox Run Vineyards, Penn Yan, NY
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t would seem as though "hibernation season" is the perfect time to indulge our sense of taste. On the heels of the fall harvest, eating and drinking your way through the Finger Lakes vibrant food scene is one of the best ways to experience the region without braving the elements. If there’s one thing the Finger Lakes are known for, it’s our remarkable food and wine. Some say that New York’s Finger Lakes are an unlikely place to cultivate delicious varietals, but we’d tell you otherwise! In fact, New York is the country’s third-largest wineproducing state: its pure, sparkling glacial lakes and its gentle hillsides have their own micro-climate, ideal for growing grapes. You'll find 140 wineries in the region, each with a unique style and selection of wines. The Finger Lakes are well-known for producing delicious Rieslings, but visitors to the area find that the region produces a wide assortment of delicious and complex wines – dry, sweet, white, red, sparkling, dessert, and everything in between. Feeling lost? Schedule a wine-tasting class during your visit and learn the ropes from a professional.
11. www.fingerlakes.org "Beverage University" Class, New York Kitchen, Canandaigua, NY
Chocolate and Wine Tasting, Heron Hill Winery, Hammondsport, NY
Trax Pub & Grill, Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Virgil, NY
A trip focused on wine is made even more entertaining when you follow a wine trail. Take a day to follow these trails, stopping at wineries along each one. Cayuga, Seneca, Canandaigua, and Keuka Lake each have a wine trail of their own, and there are plenty of others to help connect the dots along the way. Hire a guide or travel safely with a designated driver, and enjoy!
Getting crafty If you’re giddy about our wine, you’ll be blown away by the rest of the craft beverage scene in the Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes are booming with warm, welcoming, and up-and-coming breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Friendly purveyors and their teams greet you with a smile and serve brews crafted in small batches, with a whole lot of heart. Many of these watering holes also serve up local specialties and spectacular views of the lakes at the same time. Check out the Finger Lakes Cider Trail as a starting point.
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2000 Route 392 Cortland, NY 13045 greekpeak.net
Feasting in the FLX Looking for a meal in the Finger Lakes? You’ll find yourself pleasantly overwhelmed with choices, from fine dining and upscale farm-to-table eateries, to global cuisine, to cozy local joints focused on seasonal ingredients. This range of options allows for a multitude of experiences, with room for both the white tie celebration or cocktail party and the jaunt through town, familiarizing yourself with local specialties, and new go-to dishes. Take a chef-lead cooking class at a culinary center, hire a private chef to help you explore the flavors of the area, or embark on a Finger Lakes Food tour for a guided adventure. The Finger Lakes even has it's own "Cheese Trail," linking a dozen family-run dairy farms to sample from. Locally-sourced produce and homemade goods run rampant in the Finger Lakes all year round. You can find farmers’ markets in most Finger Lakes towns, with tasty treats like pies, jams and jellies, and local meats for sale. Stroll the Geneva Winter Market, and visit the Finger Lakes Visitor Center for a focus on local fare. New York State is also the second largest maple syrup provider in the country. Tap into the growing industry in late winter to learn how it’s made while enjoying endless pancakes. The Krebs Restaurant, Skaneateles, NY
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14. www.fingerlakes.org Ice Wine Pairings for Two, Boundary Breaks Winery, Lodi, NY
Feeling Festive WINTER FESTIVALS & CELEBRATIONS
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ife in the Finger Lakes doesn’t go dormant in winter – in fact there are many festivals, celebrations, and events around the region during the colder months. Small towns and big cities alike embrace the colder temperatures with seasonal celebrations centered around art, culture, tradition, music, and food.
ROC Holiday Village 2019 photo by Tomas Flint, Rochester, NY
Parade of Lights, Gaffer's District, Corning, NY
Holiday celebrations If you’re looking to spend the holiday season in the Finger Lakes, you’ll find several festivals in the months November and December. Drive north of the Erie Canal into the heart of the bustling city of Rochester to enjoy the ROC Holiday Village. Located in the downtown area, this festival runs throughout most of December. It includes local vendors, live music, a kids craft area, and free ice skating, all surrounded by cozy igloos and crackling fire pits. In the southwest corner of the Finger Lakes area is Corning, otherwise known as “The Crystal City.” It’s home to one of the worlds largest glass manufacturers, as well as the Corning Museum of Glass – housing one of the largest historic collections of glass in the world. During the holiday season, this quaint city’s Gaffer District turns into a glittering gem – with blocks of festive lights, live entertainment, and local shopping. It’s no wonder Country Living Magazine named Corning, NY, one of “America’s 25 Best Small Towns for Christmas.” Take a step back in time in Skaneateles at their annual Dickens Christmas. Every weekend from Thanksgiving... EXPERIENCE THE
Finger Laksiesdes Country
YATES COUNTY, NY
>>winter itinerary
recreation, relaxation, tasting, & touring - it’s all here. 17. www.fingerlakes.org
...to Christmas, the charming downtown is filled with street theater actors dressed as Charles Dickens and his cast of characters, turning the town into a scene from an 1800’s postcard. The festival is complete with Christmas caroling, horse-drawn carriages and wagons, and plenty of music and theatrical performances. Seneca Falls is long believed to have been the inspiration for Bedford Falls, the setting of the beloved holiday film, It’s a Wonderful Life. On the second weekend in December, the town puts on It’s a Wonderful Life Festival, which includes visits from movie cast members, a train ride (pajama-wearing encouraged), a winter fun run, and of course an interactive screening of the classic movie. Embracing the chill Come down from the Bristol Mountain slopes to enjoy the Canandaigua Winter Carnival every January. Over the course of three days, festival-goers are encouraged to “shop, sip and taste” what the Finger Lakes has to offer. Eat your way through a food truck rodeo, sample flights of Finger Lakes beverages, and enjoy family-friendly activities, all topped off with nighttime fireworks over Canandaigua Lake. Downtown Ithaca’s Ice Festival offers a delightful blend of winter fun and artistic expression. In early December, Ithaca’s streets transform into an icy art gallery, featuring stunning sculptures crafted in this nationally-sanctioned ice-carving competition.
Ganondagan Winter Games, Victor, NY
Visitors can grab Finger Lakes wine, beer, and coffee from the ice bar in Ithaca’s central shopping district, The Commons, before taking in the ice-carving competitions, a chowder cookoff, and live music. If you're staying in town, don't miss the Annual International Rutabaga Curl – a wacky event held for decades. Aptly named, this festival includes a curling competition using the root vegetable. If you’re looking for a more sizzling winter experience after dark, head to the Watkins Glen Fire and Ice Celebration. Against the stunning backdrop of Watkins Glen State Park’s frozen waterfalls, visitors can take in 20,000 pounds worth of ice sculptures while drinking cocktails (check out the martini luge!). With hors d’ouevres, dancing, and fireworks over Seneca Lake, this fun night out is always a hit for locals and visitors alike.
Honoring traditions Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor preserves and interprets the history and culture of the Seneca people. Every February, it hosts the Native American Winter Games, featuring a variety of traditional Native American activities. Observe dogsled races, create your own snow-boat, go for a snowshoe excursion, or listen to Haudenosaunee stories. 18. www.fingerlakes.org
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Winter Shopping TAKE HOME A SOUVENIR
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he Finger Lakes region is known for its beautiful landscapes, wineries, and outdoor activities, but it also has a thriving shopping scene that caters to both visitors and locals. However you celebrate, the holiday season is the perfect time to shop in the Finger Lakes – which offers a focus on locally crafted goods, artisanal products, and a variety of antique shops.
Ithaca Farmer's Market, Ithaca, NY
Farmers markets The Finger Lakes region is home to numerous farmers markets, where you can find fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, baked goods, and handcrafted items. The Ithaca Farmers Market, held on the shores of Cayuga Lake, is one of the most well known and features a wide array of local products. From January through March, they take the market indoors. In the heart of downtown Rochester is the city-run Public Market, where one can find a culturally diverse array of foods and local produce. 21. www.fingerlakes.org
Bring home history Antique lovers will find plenty of treasures in the Finger Lakes. Towns like Skaneateles, Aurora, and Hammondsport are known for their antique shops where you can discover vintage furniture, collectibles, and unique finds – often with rustic origins from rural Finger Lakes life in years gone by.
Artisanal food and beverage shops The Finger Lakes region is known for its artisanal food products, including cheeses, chocolates, maple syrup, honey and more. Many local shops offer tastings and the opportunity to purchase these delectable treats. Many of the Finger Lakes wineries, cideries, breweries and distilleries have on-site shops where you can purchase local beverages. You can also find wine-related accessories and gifts in these shops.
Artizanns Gift Gallery, Naples, NY
Unique boutiques Explore the charming downtown areas of towns like Canandaigua, Auburn, and Penn Yan, where you’ll find unique boutiques selling clothing, accessories, home decor, and gifts. The Finger Lakes region has a thriving arts scene, and you can explore various art galleries featuring works by local and regional artists. Many towns in the Finger Lakes have artisans that sell handmade crafts, jewelry, pottery, and textiles. These items often reflect the beauty of the region’s natural landscapes. Visit the Corning Museum of Glass to purchase (or make your own) exquisite glass art.
Go big with brand names Shop ‘till you drop at malls in Syracuse, Rochester, Auburn, and Horseheads: sift through racks at upscale department stores, enjoy indoor activities like gokarting, or keep the family entertained at the movies. If you’re looking for brand-name bargains, Waterloo is home to a large outlet mall – a popular shopping destination in the region.
23. www.fingerlakes.org Artisinal Goods from New Hope Mills, Auburn, NY
Snowplace Like the
FINGER LAKES
Plan your stay, find upcoming events, and follow our interactive map, all at www.fingerlakes.org.
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