Winter Escape in the Finger Lakes

Looking for things to do to shake off those winter blues? The Finger Lakes’ playground has everything you need to add fun and excitement to your life. From snow-covered hills and breathtaking lake vistas to winter sports, cozy spas, and wineries, there’s something for everyone.

Whether you are looking for an adventure or a cozy relaxation, Ontario County has it all for a perfect winter escape.

Skiing and Snowboarding

For a winter adrenaline rush, hit one of the 39 slopes at Bristol Mountain Ski Resort (5662 NY-64, Canandaigua, N.Y.) for your downhill skiing and snowboarding adventures. With a 1,200’ vertical and 138 skiable acres, plus lights on 96% of the trails, you can shred powder all day and into the evening! If you want to go skiing now, but don’t have your gear with you on vacation, don’t worry — Bristol Mountain offers equipment rentals too. 

Local tip: If hills are not your thing, check out some of the ice skating options available in Ontario County.

Nordic Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Hiking

For those looking to stay active at a more relaxed pace, try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Ontario County has 44 miles of snowshoeing trails, 60 miles of groomed Nordic ski trails and 119 miles of hiking trails with special spots such as the Cumming Nature Center (6472 Gulick Road, Naples, N.Y.), Ganondagan State Historic Site (7000 Co Road 41, Victor, N.Y.), and Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area (96775 Canadice Hill Road, Springwater, N.Y.).

Luxurious Comfort

Indulge in luxurious stays, restaurants, and spas designed to help you savor the season. The AAA Four Diamond Award–winning Geneva On The Lake (1001 Lochland Road, Geneva, N.Y.), overlooking Seneca Lake, offers an elegant winter escape, with select rooms featuring wood-burning fireplaces. Its renowned restaurant, Diciannove Dieci (1910), is the perfect place to indulge in a three-course, candlelit dinner while relaxing by a roaring fire. Also located in the shores on Seneca Lake, Belhurst Castle (4069 W Lake Road, Geneva, N.Y.) offers a charming historic experience featuring three hotels, two restaurants, winery & craft beer, and the Isabella Spa. 

The Lake House on Canandaigua (770 S. Main St., Canandaigua, N.Y.) is known for its blend of modern design with year-round lakeside luxury. Here, you can enjoy a winter escape with lakeview guestrooms and suites, restaurants and cocktail lounges, an artisan coffee shop, a lakeside pool and oversized jetted hot tub, full-service spa complete with Nordic barrel saunas, yoga and meditation classes, and more.

Wine Tastings

From Geneva to Victor and Canandaigua to Naples, discover wine tasting rooms showcasing the best of the Finger Lakes. Visit Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery (6461 NY-64, Naples, N.Y.) for a glass of wine and specialty wine products such as jams, gummies, and more. Indulge in wines from Trestle 31 (436 Exchange St., Geneva, N.Y.) — co-owned by Nova Cadamatre, the first female winemaker in the U.S. to earn the Master of Wine title — and enjoy a chocolate-and-wine pairing at Belhurst Castle (4069 W Lake Road, Geneva, N.Y.). If you are looking for a more intimate experience, visit Acquilano Wine Cellars (143 S Main St., Canandaigua, N.Y.) in downtown Canandaigua.

Local tip: For a guided experience, explore the available wine trails, including the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail, Seneca Lake Wine Trail, or ROC/FLX Craft Beverage Trail.

Finger Lakes Downtowns

Stroll through the charming Finger Lakes downtowns, where cozy boutiques invite you to shop and local cafés and restaurants offer the perfect place to warm up. Canandaigua’s Main Street features local favorites such as Dalai Java (157 S Main St., Canandaigua, N.Y.), Simply Crepes (101 S Main St., Canandaigua, N.Y.), and Sweet Expressions (169 S Main St., Canandaigua, N.Y.). In Phelps, you can cozy up with a seasonal spirit at Smokin’ Tails Distillery (3 Church St., Phelps, N.Y.) or Fluffing Feathers & Flour Bakery (104 Main St., Phelps, N.Y.).

Clifton Springs' Main Street offers local favorites such as Warfield's Restaurant (7 W Main St., Clifton Springs, N.Y.) and Main Street Arts (20 W Main St., Clifton Springs, N.Y.), while Downtown Geneva rounds out the experience with unique shops like Finger Lakes Goods (40 Linden St., Geneva, N.Y.), and live entertainment and movies at the Smith Center for the Arts (82 Seneca St., Geneva, N.Y.). Wherever you go, Ontario County’s downtowns offer something special for a cozy winter getaway.

Sledding and Snow-tubing

Bundle up the kids, grab your Red Flyer, and prepare to sled, tube, or saucer. Dryer Road Park (7405 Dryer Road, Victor, N.Y.) offers a wide, open hill free of trees and fences — making it the perfect place to create lifelong family memories. You can also visit Mertensia Park (1390-1394 Mertensia Road, Farmington, N.Y.) for a smaller, more intimate setting suited to little ones.

If you are looking for more fun things to do in the Finger Lakes this winter, don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know with all things FLX!  Show us your favorite seasonal activity by tagging us @VisitFLX and using #VisitFLX.