Winter adventures in New York State

New York State has laid on a host of unmissable winter experiences across each of its 11 vacation regions.

Whether it’s carving fresh tracks in the Adirondacks, savoring local flavors in the Finger Lakes or discovering small-town holiday magic in the Hudson Valley, travelers will find countless ways to ways to make winter in New York unforgettable.

I LOVE NY Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, “Winter in New York State is where excitement meets relaxation. Every region offers something extraordinary, from world-class ski destinations and luxurious new hotels to charming small towns.”

Here’s what’s new across New York this winter:

Ski Upgrades 

New York’s ski areas are redefining the winter experience with new lifts, modernized lodges, expanded amenities and sustainable snowmaking improvements.

Gore Mountain (Adirondacks): The Station at North Creek Ski Bowl, a brand-new lodge opening this season, will mark the next milestone in Gore Mountain’s transformation into a four-season destination. The lodge will feature expanded indoor and outdoor seating areas with panoramic views, a full-service restaurant and bar plus a retail shop stocked with mountain gear and regional goods. The Station will serve as both a lively après-ski hub in winter and a welcoming community gathering place in warmer months.

Whiteface Mountain (Adirondacks): Continued enhancements include the addition of the new Little Whiteface Lift – a modern fixed-grip double chair replacing two 1980s-era lifts – and 15 high-efficiency snow guns to upgrade the snowmaking process. Whiteface Mountain has also joined both the Mountain Collective and Triple Play Pass, which provides pass holders access to 25 mountains across the globe and 16 partner resorts in the Northeast.

Belleayre Mountain (Catskills): A 28,000-square-foot addition to the Discovery Lodge enhances nearly every aspect of the visitor experience, with a new rental shop and a tuning machine. Guests will also find an expanded Marketplace cafeteria, a new espresso bar and carved sandwich station, additional seating, and upgraded locker and restroom facilities. The resort’s Overlook Lodge, a Catskills icon since the 1950s, continues a restoration to blend its historic charm with modern comforts. The renovation introduces more natural light, upgraded fireplaces and improved accessibility.

Hunter Mountain (Catskills): The popular ski resort is rolling out a fresh look in the Main Lodge with updated interiors throughout and redesigned food and beverage outlets like the Marketplace and Grand Central, serving everything from grab and go snacks, to drinks, waffles and ice cream.

Mount Peter Ski Area (Hudson Valley): Family fun takes center stage with a new 1,500-square-foot tubing lodge and all-weather snowmaking system ensuring perfect conditions all season. The resort also will debut new fare at Pete’s Pub, making it an ideal winter outing for families.

Winter Events and Experiences 

From Olympic celebrations and sparkling solstice strolls to ice festivals and family-friendly holiday villages, New York’s winter calendar is packed with new ways to experience the magic of the season.

Adirondack Winter Pride Weekend (Adirondacks): The vibrant three-day celebration of community, winter sports and inclusion will take over Lake Placid between February 27 and March 1. Guests will enjoy a glamorous opening gala in the village, thrilling ski and skate adventures at Whiteface Mountain and the Olympic Oval, energetic après-ski parties and immersive experiences at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum.

Catskills Pride Ski Weekend (Catskills): Returning for a third year and taking place on January 31 and February 1, this lively two-day celebration at Belleayre Mountain brings together the LGBTQ+ community and allies for a weekend of skiing, snowboarding and shared pride in the great outdoors. The event features group ski lessons, guided mountain runs and a dazzling “Pride Glide” down the slopes. Attendees can also expect festive après-ski gatherings, themed parties and local dining experiences.

International Biathlon Union Cup (Adirondacks): Lake Placid will host its first IBU Cup at Mt. Van Hoevenberg on February 26 through March 8. As the only stop outside Europe in 2026, the event will feature top emerging men’s and women’s athletes in sprint, pursuit, individual and mixed relay races just after the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games.

Lake Placid Winter Olympic Celebration (Adirondacks): As the world watches the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Lake Placid – a two-time Olympic host city – kicks off a month-long celebration in February. The festivities begin on February 5 at the opening ceremony of the Empire State Winter Games. Throughout the event, visitors can enjoy the Legacy & Heritage Exhibit showcasing local Olympic memorabilia, and the Olympic Museum’s 2026 Special Features including interactive exhibits, a live medal-tracker and the “From Lake Placid to Italy” athlete showcase.

Catskill Winter Solstice Stroll (Catskills): On December 21, the Village of Catskill will transform Main and Bridge Streets into a twinkling pedestrian-only wonderland to mark the longest night of the year. Visitors can join the festivities, which include live music, cozy fire-pits, local shopping, seasonal bites and warm drinks, as the community ushers in the return of light.

Fire & Ice Winter Festival (Finger Lakes): Downtown Canandaigua will come alive on February 22 and 23 for the ninth annual celebration of winter, transforming Main Street into a lively showcase of fire, ice, and community spirit. The two-day event features professional ice-carving competitions, fire shows, and snow-sculpting demonstrations, along with dog-sled teams, animal encounters and family-friendly entertainment. Culinary highlights include the Chefs’ Challenge, with local chefs competing in a live cook-off, and the Comfort in a Cup Beverage Trail: a self-guided tasting experience featuring cozy creations like rich hot chocolate and mulled cider to spiced cocktails and craft brews.

ROC Holiday Village (Finger Lakes): Returning December 5 through 28, downtown Rochester will be transformed into a holiday themed winter village filled with lights, music and seasonal magic. Visitors will enjoy free outdoor ice skating, browse artisan vendors in the shopping village and cozy up by fire pits in Adirondack chairs. Families can explore the Winter Igloo Village and Igloo Inn, enjoy story-time events and crafts, hear live music performances nearly every weekend and visit Santa’s Workshop. Meanwhile, The Lodge Bar and a variety of food trucks and vendors will serve festive drinks and warm comfort fare.

LEGOLAND New York’s Holiday Bricktacular (Hudson Valley): Running from November 29 through January 3, this festive celebration transforms LEGOLAND New York Resort into a dazzling winter wonderland filled with holiday spirit. Included with general admission, the event features themed activities across the park and a 35-foot LEGO Christmas tree built using more than 360,000 bricks. Visitors can lace up for ice skating at the new synthetic Glice Rink in LEGO City and meet holiday favorites like LEGO Santa, the Gingerbread Man and the Toy Soldier.

Radio City Rockettes Centennial Celebrations (New York City): Marking their 100th anniversary in 2025, the iconic dance troupe launches a milestone edition of the Christmas Spectacular, running from November 6 through January 4 at Radio City Music Hall. There are special activations, exclusive merchandise and a refreshed show that blends tradition with cutting-edge technology are part of this year’s commemoration, as the Rockettes continue to dazzle audiences.

New Attractions: Culture and Recreation

New York’s newest attractions celebrate creativity, innovation and community offering fresh spaces to play, connect and be inspired.

Studio Museum in Harlem (New York City): Following a long-awaited renovation, the seven-story, $160 million museum reopened on November 15 with twice the exhibition space, and will introduce artist studios, classrooms, community rooms and a dramatic central staircase that serves as a social hub. Founded in 1968 as a haven for Black artists, the museum now begins a new era with sweeping views from its rooftop garden.

Destination KP Sports Park (Long Island): Scheduled to open in January 2026, the 44-acre, cutting-edge sports complex in Kings Park will feature outdoor athletic fields, a multi-level indoor sports facility and a variety of supporting amenities, including retail shops, sports medicine clinics and recreational green areas.

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