Winter in New York is as exhilarating as you want it to be. Besides world-class snowboarding and skiing, you’ll find lots of other ways to get an adrenalin rush. How about rocketing down an authentic Olympic bobsled run, tucking into a dogsled for a wild ride across a frozen lake, kite-skiing, ice-climbing, or ice fishing? Whether you like to go to extremes or just want to try something different, New York has a world of adventures for you.
What could be cooler than climbing a frozen waterfall? Specialists like Mountain Skills Climbing Guides and HighXPosure Adventures lead ice-climbing trips in the Catskills and Shawangunk Mountains (climbers call them The Gunks). In the Adirondacks, licensed guides include Adirondack Rock & River and Alpine Adventures; both run beginner to advanced programs in ice-climbing as well as mountaineering and backcountry skiing around the High Peaks. The fantastic challenges come with breathtaking views of the winter scenery.
Ride with a professional driver and brakeman down America's only dedicated bobsled track at the Olympic Sports Complex. Each sled has been custom-built for a safe, comfortable, exhilarating ride of a lifetime. Or head to a ski center for lessons in Telemark skiing, a challenging combination of turns, skating and jumps.
You can catch extremely big air, lifted by the power of the wind. A cross between skiing and paragliding, kite skiing has taken off in a big way. The persistent winds and abundant lake-effect snowfall of the Tug Hill Plateau, a favorite snowmobiling region, also create ideal conditions for snow kiting. Check out Adirondacks Tug Hill for information on events like the Ozone Snowkite Basecamp Tour that features kite demonstrations and hands-on lessons. The Thousand Islands-Seaway region, with plentiful frozen waterways and consistent winds, is another hot spot for this thrilling winter sport. Tours, lessons and equipment rentals are available with T.I. Adventures.
Get hooked on winter fishing. From trout and salmon to perch and pike, New York's thousands of lakes and ponds offer some of the nation's best ice-fishing. Check the Department of Environmental Conservation’s ice-fishing site for tips, regulations and hotspots. Many local tackle shops can hook you up with a license and a guide. Before you head out, be sure to check on ice conditions for safety.
If you do it right, winter camping is extremely fun. Just south of Lake Placid, you can stay in a tent, lean-to or cozy cabin at the Adirondack Mountain Club's Wilderness Campground. Located at the base of the High Peaks, it’s a prime starting point for extreme skiing and other adventures. Out west, Allegany State Park’s 150 winterized cabins are surrounded by some of the best snowmobile and cross-country ski trails in the Northeast. The campground at Letchworth State Park connects directly to the New York State snowmobile trail system and cabins provide easy access to snowtubing, ski trails, and horse-drawn sleighrides.
While it’s not exactly extreme, winter birdwatching can still give you plenty of thrills and bragging rights. Wellesley Island State Park in the Thousand Islands-Seaway region offers some of the best birding in the nation. Hike to Eel Bay where owls, hawks and bald eagles soar above the winter landscape.
In New York there’s a season for everything. Don’t despair when the snow melts; that just means it’s time to rock and roll into spring, with mountain biking down the ski trails (lifts will take you and your bike up), rock-climbing, and wild whitewater adventures. Trade your parka for a wetsuit and shoot down world-class rapids of the Hudson River Gorge, the Moose River, or the more gentle Sacandaga. Licensed guides around the state lead adventure tours with equipment and instruction included.