Although snowfall has been scarce so far this winter, it’s sure to come, and when it does, we’ll be more than ready for it. After all, the Central New York Region offers the very best of New York State, especially when it comes to snow play – from downhill and cross-country skiing, to snowshoeing and tobogganing, to ice skating, ice fishing and snowmobiling.

Families are invited to bundle up and head over to the McCauley Mountain Ski Area in Herkimer County’s Adirondacks. Known as “New York’s Best Family Mountain,” McCauley offers skiers and snowboarders two dozen trails of fun ranging from gentle cruisers for beginners to steeps and glades for thrill seekers. With views to the High Peaks from its 2,300 ft. summit and miles of groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, McCauley is the most affordable and accessible Adirondack resort. A ski school, ski shop and cozy chalet with a restaurant and lounge complete the whole ski area package.

Glimmerglass State Park, overlooking Otsego Lake, the infamous “Glimmerglass” of James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales, is located just outside the village of Cooperstown. With its rolling, partially wooded terrain that’s host to a wide variety of wildlife, the park offers the perfect adventure for the whole family. While tubing is wildly popular here, the landscape is excellent for cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice fishing, as well. An uphill trail through the forest offers a spectacular view of Otsego Lake, while the Beaver Pond and Woodland trails are picturesque in their own rite.

Another scenic area to admire the romance between Mother Nature and Jack Frost is the Landis Arboretum, a public garden on 548 acres and six miles of hiking trails overlooking the Schoharie Valley. Forty acres feature trees, shrubs, and perennial plants from around the world while the remainder of the property consists of woodlands and open fields, ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Smack dab in the middle of the region, Chenango County encompasses more state land than any other county besides the Adirondack Park. Snowmobilers are welcomed to hop on their Arctic Cats for 150 miles of State Corridor Trail spanning to the north and east, used exclusively for snowmobiling. For cross-country skiers, snowmobilers and snowshoe fans, Bowman Lake State Park has 660 acres of snowy nature trails.

For cross-country skiing in Greater Binghamton, the combined trail system at Greenwood Park is approximately 5.5 miles and includes groomed trails for beginners all the way up to the expert skier. Additional winter facilities include toboggans, snowshoes and a warming room to melt the icicles off guests’ noses between trails. There are plenty of routes for snowmobiling as local clubs groom challenging trails throughout the county each year, like the BC Sno Riders and Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club. Fantastic ice skating rinks in the area include the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, Broome Community College Ice Center and the Chenango Ice Rink.

The 13-mile-long Stoney Pond Nordic Ski Trail in Madison County presents awesome trails through woodsy wonderlands. Snowmobiling fanatics are invited to dive into the powder at Brookfield State Forest, where a highly acclaimed 130-mile horse and snowmobile trail system navigates across 13,000 acres of Beaver Creek, Brookfield Railroad and Charles E. Baker State Forests. Home to interesting terrain and a wide variety of wildlife species, the forest provides families with the perfect winter wonderland setting for their recreation of choice.

For cross-country skiing in Madison County, the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota, Madison County’s only nature center, boasts several miles of skiing and snowshoeing trails through forests, fields and swamp.

The Val Bialas Ski Center in Oneida County offers guests night skiing, snowboarding, plus a quaint ski chalet complete with a snack bar and double-sided fireplace to thaw out next to. For the downhill skier, there are five trails at different degrees of difficulty, a sledding hill for those who prefer tobogganing and seven miles of groomed cross-country trails with varying degrees of difficulty. With 540 miles of trails, Oneida features exceptional lodging with direct access to snowmobile trailheads from the property, like Inn at the Beeches and Headwaters Motor Lodge.

Also, Boonville presents the Boonville Snow Festival and Vintage Sled Races every year and was recently named the sixth snowiest city in the US by the Weather Channel.

The Central New York Region has the best of all four seasons, and winter is no exception. Snow sports enthusiasts are encouraged to grab their skis, skates, sleds, snowshoes and snowmobiles and make the most of the region’s serene, frosty surroundings.

For more details concerning the Central New York Region, or to plan your snow-day getaway, visit JustGoCNY.com.