Winter Getaways In Upstate New York

With miles of snowmobile trails, family downhill skiing, fun outdoor events, performances, museums and shopping, a winter vacation to scenic Washington County, New York makes a great getaway.

Snowmobiling

Snowmobile over 900 miles of trails throughout the county with trails in open space farm land, along the Champlain Canal and in wooded terrain. Nine snowmobile clubs support the trails in the county www.wcasc.snowclubs.com - for conditions and trail information.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Visitors can enjoy family skiing, snowboarding and tubing at Willard Mountain. Willard offers packages including lift tickets, lessons and rentals for all skiing and snowboarding levels. The popular family ski area also has a tubing park, restaurant, snack bar and lounge. For more information visit www.willardmountain.com

Fun Outdoor Events

The Winter Raptor Fest features live Birds of Prey in flight, educational programs, youth snowshoe races, horse drawn sleigh rides and much more. The Winter Raptor Fest will be held on March 10 and 11 in 2012. For more information, visit www.winterraptorfest.com.

Remarkable Performances

Hubbard Hall, an 1878 opera house, is a modern day arts and performance center located in Cambridge, that offers may performances, lectures, workshops and classes throughout the winter season. A full calendar of events can be found online at www.hubbardhall.org.

Explore History

With several local museums open throughout the winter, visitors interested in history and heritage will have several options to choose from. The Slate Valley Museum features the local history of slate mining in both Washington County and the surrounding area. For more information on The Slate Valley Museum, visitors can go online to www.slatevalleymuseum.org. The Pember Museum showcases the natural history of the area and offers a collection of 10,000 artifacts as well as ongoing exhibits. For a full schedule of activities, visitors can go online to www.pembermuseum.com. The Skenebourgh Museum in Whitehall located on the Champlain Canal highlights the birthplace of the U.S. Navy and the silk industry. Look across the canal and see the last remaining structure of the seven sisters which is Skene Manor.

Shop Local Stores And Galleries

Washington County is also home to many art galleries and locally-owned shops featuring local artisans. Stroll through a scenic village or stop by a gallery to find a unique treasure or artwork. For a full list of Washington County artists and galleries, please visit http://www.washingtonnycounty.com/retail/artantique.php.

Come and Enjoy

Washington County, New York is a great place for your next winter getaway.

Photo: Winter Raptor Fest www.winterraptorfest.com