NEWSLETTER
Chautauqua County, N.Y. – Chautauqua County receives a large amount of snow every winter, up to 150 inches annually, due to its proximity to Lake Erie making it the perfect destination for a winter getaway.
Holiday-Themed Celebrations, Winter Festivals and More
Throughout the winter months, the calendar fills with events to help you get into the holiday spirit and get you excited for all the wonderful parts that the season brings. Holiday-themed events start appearing on the calendar in late November and continue through to the New Year. Events include opportunities to help you get your holiday shopping done while supporting local small businesses, indulge in favorite seasonal treats and allows kids to partake in favorite holiday traditions. Weekends in January, February and early March are filled with events such as winter festivals that celebrate all the best parts of winter and how we embrace it in Chautauqua County. Visit our website for an up-to-date calendar full of events this winter and all year long.
Winter Sports
Due to the large snowfall totals, the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region is a great choice for those who enjoy winter sports. Chautauqua County is home to two of the winter resorts in Western NY. Peek’n Peak Resort features 27 slopes and trails, state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment, eight chairlifts, and multiple, progressive terrain parks for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels can enjoy. Peek’n Peak Resort is also home to a renowned ski and snowboard school as well as a seven-lane tubing area with a “Magic Carpet” lift. At night, the tubing area lights up for Lunar Lights tubing which features thousands of projections lights that pulse and fade in coordination with music. Visit Cockaigne Ski Resort for the chance to ride their slopes and explore their Snowmobile Adventure Park.
During winter, the region’s multi-use trail system is utilized by cross-country skiers and snowshoers with the most popular locations being Long Point State Park, Lake Erie State Park, Boutwell Hill State Park, the Eastside and Westside Overland Trails to name a few. Chautauqua County is also home to the most miles of groomed fat tire bike trails in all of New York State. Enjoy a day of ice skating or driving ice bumper cars at the Northwest Arena in Jamestown.
Snowmobiling
Another great way to embrace winter and explore the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region of Western NY is by snowmobile. Chautauqua Count has over 400 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. Multiple local snowmobile clubs are responsible for grooming and maintaining the trails and snowmobilers are encouraged to join a club. Trails open after hunting season and are available to the public. All visitors must register their snowmobiles in New York before riding. For the most up to date trail conditions, please call the Snowmobile Hotline: 1-800-242-4569, dial 2, then press 5.
Après Ski: Craft Beverages & Cultural Attractions
Warm up after a day of winter fun and enjoy après ski activities in the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region. Taste wine from over 20 local wineries collectively known as Lake Erie Wine Country, raise a pint of beer or sip a hand crafted cocktail from a local brewery and distillery. Experience one-of-a-kind cultural attractions during your visit. Learn about the history of grape growing in the region at the Grape Discovery Center or immerse yourself in all things comedy at the National Comedy Center and Lucy Desi Museum. Winter is the perfect time to tour museums throughout Chautauqua County with options ranging from local and national history, pop culture, sports and more.
The Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau is the official New York State Tourism Promotion Agency for Chautauqua County. Utilizing both public and private funds, the Visitors Bureau promotes the region through a variety of programs targeted at drawing visitors into the area from surrounding states and communities. For more information, visit TourChautuaqua.com.
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Contact: Victoria Burch, Marketing Coordinator
Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau
716-357-4569