Best Family-Friendly Winter Fun in New York State

From outdoor fun to warm escapes, there’s plenty for the family to enjoy when you make a winter getaway to New York State.

Hit the Slopes

While you might be tempted to head to Vermont or New Hampshire to fit in some ski time with the family, you should consider the slopes of New York. Not as crowded, there are plenty of options, whether you want a beginners-friendly experience or something a little more challenging. At Belleayre Mountain, you can enjoy plenty of wide-open space in the Catskills. At Bristol Mountain, one third of the slopes are rated for beginners, so you won’t run out of things to do even if your skills are somewhat limited. If, however, your family is filled with old pros, you might want to try Catamount Mountain Resort, where the slopes are sure to prove a challenge.

For the Big Kids

Of course, one of the best parts of the ski experience is après-ski. If your family is old enough to drink, you’ll find no shortage of après-ski fun in New York State. If you’re skiing in the Catskills, pay a visit to West Kill Brewing for beers created from local ingredients, or Hudson-Chatham Winery Tannersville if you prefer to sample the wines from the local vineyards.

Beer tasting flight © Kjetil Kolbjornsrud | Dreamstime.com

Splash Like It’s Summer

Pack your swimsuit! Just because it’s winter, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun in the sun … or at least a dip in some of the indoor water parks and picturesque pools you’ll find scattered throughout New York. At Rocking Horse Ranch in the Catskills, Big Splash is an indoor water park with a 250-foot-long water slide, plenty of fountains and lots of other water toys for kids of all ages. Greek Peak Mountain Resort boasts one of the biggest indoor water parks in the state, with more than 500 feet of slides and a wave pool. Then, of course, you can’t miss Six Flags Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Waterpark for a huge all-seasons swim experience in the Adirondacks.

Catch a Festival

If you can, plan your visit to New York State around one of the many festivals going on in February. For an adults-only getaway, mark your calendar for the Feb. 16 New York Ice Wine & Culinary Festival.