By Elizabeth Lemire
Snow came early this year – many of us were still raking leaves when a foot of fresh powder arrived to cover them. As I write this, another round of significant snowfall is blanketing the region, closing schools and local businesses while plows hustle to keep up. Snow predictions aren’t always perfect, but no matter how much snow falls in the Mohawk Valley, here is your playbook for a few easy, accessible gems to help you glide through winter.
Black River Environmental Improvement Association (BREIA), Herkimer County
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
BREIA’s 1,500 acres were a gift from Gilbert Butler to the people of the Mohawk Valley and to anyone lucky to visit. The land is so stunning that it makes you wonder if what you are looking at is real. Mr. Butler, who grew up in Utica, wanted to give back to the community where he was raised. As a lifelong lover of the outdoors, he wanted everyone to have access to nature, specifically in an area he had cherished throughout his life. He purchased the Tug Hill land 41 years ago and has preserved it and developed it into a world-class recreational facility open to all, year-round.
As a great admirer of this man’s environmental philanthropy (Google “Butler Parklands”), it’s also worth noting that he is responsible for the largest kids’ outdoor recreational program – right here in the Mohawk Valley – serving 8,000 to 10,000 children each year. His goal? Give them a great time, help them fall in love with the outdoors, and inspire them early to be good environmental stewards.
BREIA offers 80 kilometers of groomed trails, warming huts stocked with firewood, and skis, boots, and snowshoes for loan – at no cost. Josh Entwistle, a local mason, is so passionate about these trails that it’s hard not to prioritize getting to them. He loves the five points of accessibility, the breathtaking scenery, and the fact that, should you need equipment, Gilbert Butler has you covered.
Public access points are best understood by looking at the fantastic interactive maps at breiax-countryski.org. The “Trail Conditions” tab provides up-to-date information on plowed parking lots, warming hut access, and loan program hours.
Town of Webb
Snowmobiling
Old Forge, the largest hamlet in this 500-square-mile area, is celebrated as the snowmobiling capital of the East. The region has earned national and international recognition for its size and breadth of trails, and for the fact that almost all restaurant and lodging options are accessible by snowmobile.
Tourism began in the late 1800s, when the railroad ruled the North Country, long before the development of roads. Even today, one cannot drive from southern Herkimer County to northern Herkimer County (Old Forge area) without briefly entering Oneida County – unless you’re on a snowmobile!
There are 39 intersecting and converging trails to choose from, winding through forests, along the rivers and lakes, and over hilltops. The trail system is magnificently maintained by full-time town employees, who operate a fleet of grooming machines two shifts per day, seven days a week. It’s up to you whether you want something short and scenic or a route with major mileage. The terrain is varied enough to keep you interested all season and enticing enough to bring visitors back for generations.
Specific trail information is available on the New York State Snowmobile Association website, NYSnowmobiler.com, or you can stop in at the Old Forge Visitor Information Center for a map and the required permit. Permits are also available at OldForgeNY.com.
Val Bialas Ski Center, Utica
downhill skiing, snowboarding, outdoor skating
Many of us have experienced the disbelief that Utica has a zoo. But people are even more flabbergasted when you tell them that Utica has a ski hill. It’s unique for a city of our size – there are barely a handful of municipally run ski areas, maybe five total in Maine and New Hampshire. But surely no resort anywhere offers glimpses of lions as you bomb down the mountain.
Mayor Galime has long championed the hill’s revitalization, calling Val Bialas “a key recreational asset to the city of Utica.” Thanks to new snowmaking equipment, Val Bialas is no longer at the mercy of Mother Nature. This upgrade, made possible by $2 million secured by Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, will be a game-changer for winter enthusiasts eager to ski even when natural snow is scarce.
But when you have snow and no lift, what’s the point? In an era when few things are repairable, a combination of vintage parts, time, and talent brought the lift back to life. Special thanks to Joe and Josh Amodio from New Age Hotrods for scouring the planet for the parts and repairing what was once deemed a teardown. Skiers and snowboarders get ready to hop on the hill – a full opening is expected in early 2026.
Skate
The new, outdoor rink on the Parkway is fantastic fun, and we at MVL applaud the city for its renewed investment in recreational amenities that can be enjoyed by all. Now fully staffed and running its own Zamboni, the rink is ready for sliding and gliding!
Public skating: Wed–Fri 4–9 pm; Sat 12–4 pm & 6–9 pm; Sun 12–4 pm.
January School Break: Jan 1 closed; Jan 2–3 12–4 pm & 6–9 pm; Jan 4 12–4 pm.
Admission $5, rentals $5.
Utica Curling Club, Whitesboro
But what is curling, anyway? Most sports are identifiable by their name, but “curling” might need a little explanation – at least for me. In one sentence: two teams compete to slide a 40 lb. granite “stone” to the center of a target.
Curling has been part of the Mohawk Valley for a very long time. Not much in our playbook dates back to 1868, but the Utica Curling Club does. We’re fortunate to have this renowned facility here, serving both local residents and visitors who come for national and international tournaments hosted at UCC.
This year, the Utica Curling Club will offer a Winter Curling Sampler on Thursdays in January and February – a four-session introduction showcasing the different aspects of the game. Mike Krumme, a longtime club member, said that one of curling’s biggest attractions is its sportsmanship and friendliness. Curling culture emphasizes shaking hands before and after the game, supporting opponents and teammates, and, his favorite part – socializing post-match, where winners buy losers their drink of choice. Mike also points out another big selling point: no equipment is required. If you’re interested in league play or just starting out, contact curlingsampler@uticacurlingclub.org.
Chenango Canal Trail
Walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing
After a tragic bike accident claimed the life of a beloved Hamilton College professor, Sam Pellman, the college community and Clinton residents were motivated to get people off the road and onto safer paths. Beginning in 2018, with help from the Town of Kirkland, the county, and the state, the group, now Kirkland Trails, Inc., revitalized a portion of an old railbed that once ran from Binghamton to Utica (fun fact: one section now serves as our current arterial).
If serenity and quiet sound appealing, walk, cross-country ski, or snowshoe the Chenango Canal Trail. Depending on your stamina, you can travel two miles to Deansboro from the Dugway Road trailhead and continue for three more miles to Oriskany Falls on the Town of Marshall Towpath Trail. You’ll pass through fields, follow a winding creek, and encounter the original clapboard train depot, with its leaded-glass windows – worth looking through for a moment, to glimpse a different time. Just past the depot, donkeys and sheep may trot down the hill to say hello, or more likely, try to mooch some food.
The trails are beautifully maintained by the Town Highway Department under Superintendent Jon Scott, who supports efforts to improve people’s quality of life. The Mohawk Valley thanks you!
McCauley Mountain, Old Forge
Downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat-tire biking
Once a loyal McCauley person, always a loyal McCauley person. They fall in love, and it’s hard for them to ski anywhere else in the Mohawk Valley – just ask Paul Rayhill. The terrain can be steep, rocky, and challenging, but that’s exactly what the thrill seekers love. For those who prefer to take it a little easier and soak in the landscape, there are meandering blues and greens at the summit. As you ascend to the top, the magnificent view on a clear day creates clusters of people debating whether they’re seeing Blue Mountain, Whiteface Mountain, Mount Marcy, or all three.
There is a fantastic beginner hill for those just starting out, nicely situated near the base of the lodge. New this year is a “magic carpet” lift – a very welcome innovation for those of us who grew up hanging on to a rope for dear life.
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat-tire biking
McCauley also boasts 15K of groomed Nordic trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, all well marked and documented on a clear trail map for your pocket. New this year – thanks to Doug Wescott, of the Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company – is a dedicated fat-tire biking trail. Call ahead if that is your desired activity, because it’s Doug and his dog Willow, who prep the Reggie Trail for riding.
Root Glen, Clinton
Winter Walk, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing
A gem of the Mohawk Valley in all seasons, and quietly majestic on a cold, winter day. Established as a “place of beauty for public enjoyment,” it never disappoints as you navigate its lovely bridges and occasional steep paths. The elements can make the crushed red stone icy, so note the weather conditions or use crampons.
Connected to Root Glen are the Kirkland Glen Trails, which meander through the 7.5 acres of land filled with towering trees that create a natural canopy should you run into inclement weather.
Pond skating in Old Forge
A new skating rink with regulation-sized hockey boards now sits at the intersection of Upper Joy Tract Road and Railroad Avenue in Old Forge, designed for free skating, figure skating, and hockey. Mike Farmer, Tourism Director for the Town of Webb, puts safety concerns to rest with a laugh: “There are no fish under our skating ice, and although you can fall down, you cannot fall in!” An added bonus, the town’s Zamboni will keep the ice in great shape. There are no set hours – after dark, if the moon is out, you’re golden; otherwise, the lights shut off at 10 PM.
Osceola Ski & Sport Resort, Camden
Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing
Dustin Hite has cross-country skied for 40 years. He trained in Lake Placid, raced competitively, and skied with kids who went on to become Olympians: “They succeeded, I went to work.” Six years ago, Dustin and his wife built a ski center from scratch on Tug Hill, a spot famous for some of New York State’s best snow and beautiful scenery. The center features 20 km of groomed trails, rentals for all ages, lessons, ski and snowshoe sales, and full-service repairs. Once you’ve had your fill of skiing or snowshoeing, relax by the fireplace with warm soup or a cold beer. Reservations are recommended.
Woods Valley, Westernville
Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding, Tubing
Woods Valley creates a five-star experience for skiers, snowboarders, and sledders from three to eighty-five. It might not be the longest run of your life, but its exceptional hospitality, state-of-the-art snowmaking, and meticulous grooming make it a multigenerational favorite. Despite having one of the shortest verticals in the area, the Woods family continues to innovate – expanding terrain, adding lifts, upgrading the lodge, and inspiring kids to play outside with super-cool terrain parks, carousels, and carpets that make the ride up the mountain half the fun.
Whether your passion is skiing, snowboarding, or tubing, when you’ve had your fill of crisp “mountain” air, step inside for a roaring fire, live music, and an après-ski scene that lingers well after the lights have dimmed on the mountain.
Indoor Ice Skating
All of the following rinks are open to the public. Their hours vary, which actually works in your favor—if one isn’t open, another likely is.
Utica University Nexus Center (Utica) – Public skating hours vary; check nexusutica.com/public. If no hours are listed, none are available.
Clinton Arena (Clinton) – Public skating: Wed 12–2, Thu 11:30–4:30, Sun 4–6, school holidays 12–2. Admission $5, rentals $5. Skate sharpening daily 7 a.m.–11 p.m.
Kennedy Arena (Rome) – Public skating: Wed–Fri 1–2:30, Fri 7:30–9, Sat 1–2:30 & 7:15–8:45, Sun 3–4:30, school holidays 1–2:30. Admission $2, rentals $3, season passes $50. Skate sharpening available.
Whitestown Community Center & Ice Rink (Whitesboro) – Public skating: Sat 7–8:45 pm, Sun 1–2:45, school holidays 1–2:45. Join “Skate and Shoot” Sun 7 pm—flow atop the ice and take shots on goal (bring helmet, gloves, stick). Admission $5, rentals $5. The only rink in the area open year-round!
New Hartford Recreation Center (New Hartford) – Public skating: Fri 6:30–8, Sat 6–7:30, Sun 3–4:40. Adult Skate: Tue–Fri 11-12:30. Admission $2, rentals $5.
Rayhill Trail, New Hartford/Whitesboro
Winter walk
Phil Rayhill championed the idea of converting an old rail corridor between New Hartford and Whitesboro into a safe, accessible path that is particularly beautiful in winter, and it is plowed! There are fascinating wetlands, woods of evergreens, active beavers, osprey, blue herons, bald eagles, and an array of dogs to observe as you walk the 3.8-mile trail with a friendly community that will come to know your name if you’re a regular. 
The Root Farm, Sauquoit
Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
The Root Farm began in 1997 as Dr. Alice Root’s small equine-assisted therapy center and has since grown into a place where people of all ages and abilities can connect with nature. In winter, the farm’s peaceful trails are ideal for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, and quiet exploration. Go at your own pace on a self-guided outing, or join a guided walk to discover more about the land and the wonderful animals that call it home. Snowshoes are available to rent, and registration is required.
Rates:
• Self-guided: $10 (add $5 for snowshoe rental)
• Guided: $17 (add $3 for snowshoe rental)
