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Visit Lewis County, A Winter Lover’s Paradise
posted by Teresa Farrell at 2019-03-08 21:14:00
When you’re looking for a place to get away from the hustle and bustle, look no further than Lewis County. Located in a prime spot between the Adirondacks, Central New York and the Thousand Islands/Lake Ontario regions, this area is an excellent place to spend some time outdoors enjoying the fresh air, especially in the winter.
Lewis County is part of the Tug Hill plateau, which is known for providing some of the best snowmobiling conditions in the Northeast. Tug Hill is famous for having some of the heaviest snowfall in the state—on average, more than 200 inches per winter-- and routinely clocks in as one of the snowiest areas in the country, thanks to its proximity to Lake Ontario and the lake effect snow bands that billow off of it throughout the season. The area is home to hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails, with dedicated trail groomers and plenty of local snowmobile clubs who make it their personal mission to document trail conditions and spread the word on where the best riding can be done on a given day.
There’s also plenty of skiing to be found in Lewis County, both cross-county and downhill. Hit the slopes at Snow Ridge Ski Resort in the town of Turin, which offers 21 different downhill trails ranging from a bunny hill to freestyle areas for expert ski and snowboarders. Or, stay on flatter land and enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing along the hundreds of miles of trails in the area, including those at Whetstone Gulf State Park outside of Lowville or at the Osceola-Tug Hill Cross-Country Ski Trails, which in addition to boasting 20 miles of groomed ski trails are adjacent to nearly 2,000 acres of state land as well.
If your toes are frozen and you’ve had enough outdoor fun for the day, come inside and enjoy a glass of locally-made wine at Tug Hill Vineyards, just outside of Lowville, or stop at a local restaurant for a hearty homemade meal. When it’s time to hit the pillow for the night, choose from a variety of cozy, locally-owned inns, lodges and bed and breakfasts. When you wake up in the morning you’ll be well-rested and ready to hit the trails again!
Photo Credits
Sunset through snowy trees photo credit Timo Newton Syms
Snowmobiles photo credit Timo Newton Syms
Woman skiing photo credit Jocelyn Durston
Windmills photo credit Jeff Egnaczyk
posted at: 2019-03-08 21:14:00, last updated: 2021-04-06 15:54:15