Winters in Syracuse can be cold and windy, but they offer us a chance to try new activities off campus that might not be available during the warmer seasons. From trying new foods to snowshoeing, there are plenty of things to do during these chilly months!
Ski or Snowboard on Song Mountain
Song Mountain is a local ski and snowboard mountain with a full-service restaurant. Located 30 minutes away in Tully, they offer daily skiing from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and on weekends from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Song offers a college student discount of $54 all day or $32 for a night pass. Make sure to bring your student I.D. for validation. If you don’t know how to ski or snowboard, they have a bunny hill for beginners, and rentals are available. Grab some friends and enjoy a day on the mountain!
Visit the Everson Museum of Art
If you’d rather stay warm and out of the snow, the Everson Museum of Art has a new exhibit titled Hoop Dreams, a basketball and contemporary art exhibit. The exhibit began Feb. 4, and will be available to view through May 21. Hoop Dreams shows how basketball is more than just a game, “it is also a vast cultural universe—fashion, music, film and electronic media, dance, art and design.” Several artists are working in this exhibit, and tickets are only $8 for students.
Eat Something New at Salt City Market
Tired of campus food? Salt City Market has anything your heart (and stomach!) desires, from Jamaican to Southern food. Talented chefs from across the Syracuse area are gathered under one roof for your enjoyment. Stop by Miss Prissy’s for some soul food, or swing by Mamma Hai’s for a delicious Vietnamese dish. If you’re not that hungry, Salt City Coffee has a variety of different coffees to choose from. (You might know Salt City Coffee from their sister location just off campus on University Ave.) Try the wintry sugar plum latte, or give their iced golden milk a go. Salt City Market is only a five-minute drive from campus, and it’s a great place to study with friends while trying new food!
Try Snowshoeing
Located just 20 minutes away from campus, Beaver Lake offers over nine miles of trails. During the winter months, Beaver Lake has snowshoeing available. Snowshoers can experience three different trails, some hillier than others. They offer snowshoe rentals for $5 per hour, weather permitting. Rentals are available from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and shoes must be returned by 4 p.m. If you’re new to snowshoeing, the park offers one-hour Try Snowshoeing clinics every winter weekend as long as snow conditions are good. If you’ve never snowshoed before, this is a great time to give it a chance!
Participate in Syracuse Winterfest
Syracuse Winterfest kicked off on Feb. 16 and will continue until Feb. 26. Festival highlights include the annual treasure hunt, which requires participants to follow clues in the hopes of finding a plastic Treasure Hunt medallion hidden somewhere in Onondaga County. The person who finds the medallion wins $2,000! Alongside the treasure hunt, Winterfest attendees can enjoy food, contests, live music, and ice skating at various locations across the Syracuse area. Stop by and try some delicious food from local vendors or hear some local talent!
These are just a few of the many things to do off campus in Syracuse in the wintertime! Spring will be here before we know it, so make sure to try some of these activities out before the snow melts!
Written by Tessa Hodinger G’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
This list is for reference purposes only and is not deemed an endorsement by Syracuse University.