Snowmobiliers and Skiers have been given a huge gift from Lake Ontario this weekend in Madison County.  Over 14 inches of fluffy white snow has fallen in the county opening all snowmobile trails and giving a boost to the trails at Toggenburg Mountain Ski area.
Snowmobiliers will find trail conditions in excellent shape although grooming has yet to be accomplished in all places.  Use care and dress warmly as wind-chills are below 0. 
 
 
The fourth and final installment of the Tastes of New York State features Madison County once again.  This webisode shows off winter activities across that state and at the 5:42 mark of the video Madison County is featured.  They visited Critz Farms, Nelson Farms, the village of Hamilton and had dinner at the Copper Turret.  Check it out!
 
 

WOW! Don’t Miss A Great Winter Event!  When:Sunday, February 8, 2009
Time:  1:00 PM Race Start
Where:Cazenovia, New York - Middle School 31 Emory Ave., Cazenovia, NY, 13035
Attendees:    Expecting well over 900 participants coming from CNY,all over NY State and the northeast!   A post race party/chili cook-off hosted by Cazenovia College featuring chili from  area restaurants and festive beverages.
  *Registration on race day at Cazenovia Middle School $25*

 
 

Six more inches of snow fell last night in Chittenango with a little more the further south you go in Madison County.  The snowmobile trails are open and in great shape.  The rain earlier this week served to create a frozen base and the new snow on top has created outstanding snowmobiling conditions.  Don't forget to order your snowmobile map from us and enjoy safe sledding.

If riding is not your cup of tea, you might think about heading out for snowshoeing this weekend.  Madison County offers miles of trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.  You can check out many of the area trails right here.  My two favorite spots to go are the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park in Cazenovia and the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota.  Both places give you ample opportunities to get out and enjoy the beautiful winterside in Madison County.  Take you camera and send us some pictures of your adventure and we will post them right here!

 
 

Graziano's World Famous Inn is offering snowmobilers a great deal this winter.  Spend the night right in the heart of Madison County's snowmobile country for only $39 a night.  You will also get 10% off your food in their Italian restaurant and lounge.  Click here for more details and mention the snowmobile package when booking.

 
 

The all new I Love NY winter site is up and running.  On it you can find great things to do during the Winter in New York State and some awesome hotel deals and packages.  Don't forget to check out all of our winter specials too, they are perfect opportunities to heat up your winter relationships.

 
 

No I don't mean whipped cream on a piece of apple pie, but almost just as good.  Eight inches of nice snow fell last night across Madison County (as you can see from my drive in this morning) giving us an opportunity to get back out on the trails for one more weekend.  The weather looks very promising with lake effect expected through the weekend before warming up next week.  Load your sleds on up and hit the trails while it lasts.

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The Great Swamp Conservancy Inc. is hosting its fourth Winter Hibernation Festival Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is an opportunity for central New Yorkers to shake off the winter blahs, cool down their cabin fever and come out of hibernation to play in the snow before the winter wonderland gives way to spring.

Outdoor activities include skating on the pond, ice conditions permiting, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing along the trails and a search for the GSC medallion. Skis and snowshoes will be available in limited sizes, or visitors may bring their own. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

There will be special activities for kids of all ages: meet the GSC groundhog, a tug-of-war in the snow, building an ice/snow fort, construction of a quinzhee (powder snow cave), team sled races and a snow sculpture contest with prizes awarded. The sculpture must have a nature theme; no spray-paint or anything that would hurt the environment; food coloring and props are acceptable.

There will be a bonfire to warm participants, toast marshmallows and bake bannock bread and story-telling around the fire.

Inside the nature center, warmth is provided by a wood burning stove, not to mention hot chocolate. Children can try their hand at making paper snowflakes, bird seed ornaments and a few other nature-oriented crafts. Educational displays include birds' nests, waterfowl, animal furs and a stuffed river otter.

Special displays allow visitors to test their knowledge of hibernating animals, identify winter weeds and practice pronouncing Eskimo terms for snow.  At 1 p.m., Sharon and Owen Brown of Beaver Sprite of Dolgeville, will present a program about co-existing with beavers.

 
Snow!!!! 02/12/2008
 

It has been a long time coming, but it looks like we might get enough snow to open the trails back up this week sometime. The forecast is calling for 4-8 inches tonight so lets all go to bed praying for the 8 end of things.  That would give most trails 5-10 inches of snow on them with more snow and cold weather forecast for this week.  In the meantime, keep checking back and we will let you know when the trails are ready to go.

 
 

We've told you about I Love NY's Cozy Inn promotion this winter and Inns and B&B's around the Central Leatherstocking Region have opened their doors to welcome you in.  Those are not the only deals available in Madison County this winter.  How about dinner for two with a bottle of house wine, a wonderful guest room and continental breakfast the next morning for $169?  That is the offer being extended by the Lincklaen House in Cazenovia this winter, and it is good any night of the week!  So get a baby sitter, and make plans for you and that special someone to steal away this weekend. While in town take a country drive and tour some of Madison County's Bicentennial Barns.  Give us a shout and we will gladly send you a map of their locations.  Its the perfect winter scavenger hunt that will let you discover new places and wonderful things to do.