Welcome to Powderful Syracuse
If there’s one thing Syracuse is known for, it’s our snow — and we love embracing every single snowflake.
Head south of the city for a number of ski resorts and slopes, explore in any direction for plenty of prime snowshoeing and sledding, or stay right in the heart of Syracuse for superb ice skating, indoor bowling fun and much more. Here are the best ways you and yours can enjoy the wonderful elements (or come inside from them!) this winter season.
Shred It
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned professional on the slopes, Syracuse has hundreds of trails and a number of ski resorts for you to dust the cobwebs off your boards or skis. Song Mountain Resort in Tully is a quick 15-minute drive from the city and conveniently located just off of Interstate 81. With five lifts, 24 trails, two new terrain parks, childcare center, rental shop, cocktail lounge and restaurant, Song is a fantastic spot to shred the powder all season long. Outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy all kinds of winter fun at Four Seasons Golf & Ski Center. Tube, ski or board down their beginner hills, complete with an express chairlift and conveyor lift. Right across from Green Lakes State Park, this Fayetteville spot is an ideal place for kids and families to enjoy the winter months and have fun together outside.
Sled It
Thanks to the spacious valleys and hilly landscape of Syracuse, there are more sledding hills to toboggan down than you can hit in one whole day. Check out Burnet Park on the west side where kids and adults of all ages can grab their mittens and make their way down the hill behind the golf clubhouse near the first tee. Southeast of the city in Fabius, grab your saucers and slide down the 300-foot slope at Skyline Hill at Highland Forest County Park. This hill is not only spacious and steep, but it also boasts a breathtaking view of the nearby countryside and scenic Route 80. Longbranch Park in Liverpool is another Onondaga County Park with sledding from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. With plenty of ample parking, it’s a nice 100-foot hill to hit up on a snowy day. Open daily, the Town of Van Buren Park in Baldwinsville is another great public spot to sled it all out when the snow starts falling. And it’s always a good idea to stash the sleds in the car just in case you stumble upon a hidden hill prime for a fun powder day.
Strike It
Maybe you need a little warm up after a fun-filled day strutting through the snow, and bowling is the perfect way to keep the good times rolling. Syracuse is loaded with lanes, and one of the biggest bowling alleys in the greater Syracuse area is Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool. This spacious spot is open for reservations and is safe, sanitized and ready for you to rock and roll your way down the lane, whether it’s during their Cosmic Bowling Thursday through Saturday nights, or if you’re looking to sharpen up your game in your spare time. A favorite on the east side is Green Lakes Lanes, a great alley for all ages with a full kitchen featuring top-rated chicken riggies that are out of this world. AMF Strike ‘N Spare Lanes in North Syracuse is another long-standing and large alley featuring casual grub & pitchers, leagues & party events.
Skate It
The quintessential skating spot of the season is the Clinton Square Ice Rink in Downtown Syracuse. Bring your ice skates or rent a pair and prepare for a day full of cold weather entertainment in the heart of the city. Check the city website for pricing and any weather-related updates. Visitors can skate at own risk at Beard Park in Fayetteville, a picturesque park at the center of this charming village. The City of Syracuse also offers indoor ice skating at Sunnycrest Ice Rink, located on the city's east side. The rink offers a variety of weekly special offers, including Wednesday free skate, Senior Skate and Skate and Shoot. The rink is also home to the City of Syracuse Rec Broomball Leagues, Speedskating Club and Learn to Skate programs.
Your Personal Winter Wonderland:
Make your own path in Syracuse this winter
Known as the “Adirondacks of Central New York,” Highland Forest has it all when it comes to making your own powder-friendly playground. Discover miles of hiking and walking trails, enjoy cross-country skiing or one of their six snowshoeing trails. Free sledding is available and dogs are always welcome to accompany you on your journey through over 20 miles of year-round trails. Visitors can also savor the season with 20-minute horse-drawn sleigh rides through the wintery woods on Saturdays and Sundays now through February.
Gorgeous frozen waterfalls and miles of snow-laden trails to ski, hike or snowshoe, Pratt’s Falls County Park is dog-friendly and a great area to explore when the snow falls. Traipse through the beautiful forests to encounter the 137-foot waterfall and gorge or trek across natural dirt and gravel trails through the woods to revel in a variety of terrain.
Related Stories
