It’s not so secret that a Syracuse winter can be pretty brutal. On the bright side, there are a number of ways to make the best of it! Here are some can’t-miss activities and traditions to make chilly winter weather into fun memories.
Sled Down Crouse College Hill
Sledding down the hill in front of Course College is the Syracuse student tradition. Grab your friends, bundle up and get sledding! Just beware—you do gain quite a bit of speed going down the hill. I recommend aiming for the tree that has already been padded for prospective sledders!
Have fun sledding and make sure to go more than once during your time here—this is a snowy Syracuse U staple.
Explore Syracuse Winterfest
From Feb. 12-22, Syracuse Winterfest offers 10 days of fun events and activities all around the city. From fireworks to free open skating to food-related fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! If you find a gap in your day, check out the events calendar to see exactly what’s going on. This is the perfect event if you’re looking for some low-key free fun around the city!
Ice Skating at Clinton Square
In the heart of Downtown Syracuse, the Clinton Square Ice Rink is the perfect spot for wholesome winter fin, The beautiful open-air ice skating rink also has a concession stand and warming room, so after skating, you can take a break and cozy up with some hot chocolate. Grab some friends and immerse yourself in this winter wonderland!
Visit the NYS Winter Fair
Missing the NYS Fair and all its fun food, rides and vendors? No need to wait until the summer! The Syracuse Winter Fair will be running from Jan. 30-Feb. 1 so you can enjoy all the same fun activities indoors.
Admission tickets start at $5 for adults and can be purchased on their website. Make sure to check out the entertainment schedule to see what live performances are happening while you’re there! Oh, and save me a funnel cake, please.
Cross-Country Ski at Drumlins
Skiing is an Upstate New York essential winter activity, but it can become very expensive very quickly. But not for Syracuse U students! With the Barnes Center at The Arch’s Outdoor Adventure program, Syracuse and SUNY ESF students can cross-country ski at Drumlins Country Club for free! Yes, FREE! This opportunity is for beginners and experiences skiers alike, with staff on the premises to help guide newbie skier. Dates run almost every weekend from now through the first week of March.
Additionally, there are some opportunities to go on skiing ands snowboarding excursions to different places around the Syracuse area at a low cost to students. This includes night skiing and snowboarding at Labrador Mountain for $10 or day skiing and snowboarding at Song Mountain for $20. It’s rare to find such affordable skiing and snowboarding opportunities, so take advantage of them and have some fun!
Syracuse winters may seem cold and dreary, but there are so many fun activities to do to pass the time and enjoy the snow! Check out all the things the city and campus have to offer to make some great memories. Happy winter, Syracuse!
Written by Mirren Grimason ’29, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
This article is for reference purposes only and is not deemed an endorsement by Syracuse University.