Syracuse’s Winter Playground, Central New York (CNY), particularly the Syracuse area, transforms into a snowy paradise each winter, thanks to generous lake-effect snowfall from nearby Lake Ontario. This region boasts some of New York State’s most accessible and family-friendly ski resorts, offering thrilling downhill runs for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner hitting the bunny slopes or an expert carving through glades, CNY has options close to home. With resorts opening as early as late November—sometimes even before Thanksgiving due to early snow dumps—the season runs well into March or April.
Location: East Hill Elementary School 401 Blackmore Rd, Camillus, NY 13031
(315) 487-2778
Type: Skiing Snowboarding
The CSA Ski Facility, located next to East Hill Elementary School, offers moderately sized ski slopes, Ski School facilities, and a Tubing Park.
Camillus Ski Association
Location: 5251 Rathbun Rd, Cazenovia, NY 13035
(315) 655-8368
Type: Skiing Snowboarding
This small, private, volunteer run ski club is located on Rathbun Road behind Chittenango Falls in Cazenovia, New York.
Cazenovia Ski Club
Location: 18160 Alpine Ridge Rd, Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-8584
Type: Skiing Snowboarding Tubing
With a focus on family fun, this winter recreation area offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
Dry Hill Ski Area
Location: 8012 East Genesee Street,
Fayetteville, NY 13066
(315) 637-9023
Type: Downhill & X-country
Four Seasons Golf And Ski Center is your place for Skiing, Riding, Tubing in the winter.
Four Seasons Golf & Ski Center
Location: 2000 State Route 392, Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 218-8714
Type: Skiing Snowboarding
During the winter, Greek Peak is a large ski resort with 55 trails, six aerial lifts, two surface lifts, beginners’ slope, four Terrain Parks, including a Progression Park, and night skiing.
Greek Peak Mountain Resort
Location: 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville, NY 13066
(315) 637-6111
Type: Snowshoeing, X-Country Skiing
Green Lakes State Park is a New York State Park located east of Syracuse in the Town of Manlius a great place to enjoy Snowshoeing, X-Country Skiing.
Location: 5662 State Route 64, Canandaigua, NY 14424
585-374-6000
Type: Downhill skiing and snowboarding
Bristol Mountain Ski Resort with 39 slopes and trails are breathtaking and provide a variety of inclines for every skier and snowboarder from beginner to expert.
Bristol Mountain Ski Resort
Location: 1254 Highland Park Road, Fabius, NY 13063
(315) 683-5550
Type: Cross-country skiing
Highland Forest Park the oldest county park contains more than six square miles of rugged forest terrain detailed in free maps available at Skyline Lodge.
Highland Forest
Location: 6935 Route 91, Truxton, NY 13158
607-842-6204
Type: Skiing Snowboarding
Labrador Mountain with 22 groomed trails, a 700 foot vertical drop spread out over 250 acres, and six lifts, skiers and boarders of all levels can enjoy the slopes.
Labrador Mountain
Location: 1573 Osceola Rd, Camden, NY 13316
(315) 599-7168
Type: Cross country skiing, Snowshoeing
Osceola Ski and Sport Resort New state of the art cross country ski center and outdoor recreation. Snowshoeing trails available also! Groomed trails for all levels to enjoy.
Osceola Ski and Sport Resort
Location: 6790 Onondaga Lake Trl, Liverpool, Ny 13088
(315) 453-6721
Type: Cross country skiing
Cross country skiing at Onondaga Lake Park An 8+ mile linear greenway, featuring four great trails - East Shore Recreation, Shoreline Walking Trail, Lakeland Nature and the West Shore.
Onondaga Lake Park
Location: 4173 West Rd, Turin, NY 13473
(315) 348-8456
Type:Downhill skiing
Snow Ridge Ski Resort is a ski resort located in Turin, NY, in the middle of the Tug Hill Plateau. The Resort averages a whopping 230 inches of annual snowfall.
Snow Ridge Ski Resort
Location: 1 Song Mountain Road, Tully, NY 13159
(315) 696-5711
Type: Downhill skiing, snowboarding
Song Mountain Resort offers 24 trails accessed by 5 lifts, ideal for skiers and boarders of any ability.
Song Mountain Resort
Location: 2995 NY-174, Marietta, NY 13110
(315) 636-8486
Type: Skiing, snowboarding
Skaneateles Ski Club - A safe, affordable, and fun place where children and families can ski, snowboard, take lessons and participate in winter activities.
Skaneateles Ski Club
Location: Route 13, Verona Beach, NY 13162
(315) 762-4463
Type: X-country skiing
Verona Beach State Park X-country skiing.
Verona Beach State Park
Location: 9100 State Route 46, Westernville, NY 13486
(315) 827-4721
Type: Downhill skiing & snowboarding
Woods Valley Ski Area - Amazing ski resort, super family oriented and friendly.
Woods Valley Ski Area