Lantern-Lit Snowshoe Hike
Make or bring your own lantern, or pick up a DIY lantern kit from CPF!
Event Highlights
Hike Date & Time: Saturday, February 8, 4:30 p.m.
Location: Meet at Meier’s Creek Brewing Company; hike on the Fairchild Hill Trail.
Snowshoes: We encourage you to bring your own. A limited number of snowshoes, courtesy of the Friends of Stoney Pond (FROSTY) are available to borrow. Please make an online reservation in advance.
Refreshments: After the hike, you can purchase hot cider and other drinks to enjoy by the fire pits at Meier’s Creek Brewing Company.
Lanterns: Join the Lantern Making Workshop, Feb 1-2, at CazArts or pick up a make-your-own lantern kit from CPF (suggested donation for materials: $5 per kit), or make or bring your own lantern (no glass, no flames).
Snowshoeing by Lantern Light
There’s no better way to embrace the delights of winter than with a magical evening hike through the snowy woods. The Cazenovia Preservation Foundation (CPF) is inviting you to experience the beauty of the season in a unique way at the Lantern-Lit Snowshoe Hike, part of Cazenovia’s Winter Fest Celebration, on Saturday, February 8, at 4:30 p.m. The hike will start and end at Meier’s Creek Brewing Co. at 33 Rippleton Rd. in Cazenovia, NY.
Create Your Own Lantern
What makes this hike truly special is the glowing lanterns that will light our way. To get in the spirit, join the CazArts Lantern Making Workshop on February 1-2, where local artist Krista Brown will guide you through the process of creating your very own lantern. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon.
If you can’t make the workshop, don’t worry! CazArts also has do-it-yourself lantern kits available for purchase at $5 per kit. Contact info@cazpreservation.org to arrange a time to pick one up at the CPF office. These kits come complete with instructions, so you can create your lantern at your own pace—just be sure to allow for drying time before the hike.
While you’re not required to make or bring a lantern to join the hike, it’s definitely a fun way to enhance the experience. Please note, for safety reasons, no glass or flames are allowed on the trails, so be sure your lantern is safe for outdoor use. Add a small bell or chime to your lantern for a festive touch!
Why Snowshoeing?
Snowshoeing has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. As one of the most accessible winter sports, snowshoeing allows individuals of all ages and ability levels to enjoy the outdoors in the snowiest months. Unlike skiing or snowboarding, snowshoeing doesn’t require advanced skill or prior experience—just a pair of snowshoes and a sense of adventure. It’s an easy, fun activity that anyone can enjoy, and we’ll be there to guide you along the way.
Whether you're a seasoned snowshoer or new to the activity, this is the perfect opportunity to explore the winter landscape under the glow of lantern light. If there isn’t enough snow for shoeing, we’ll go for a winter hike instead.
What to Expect
We’ll meet at Meier’s Creek Brewing Company to head out on the trails with our lanterns. The evening will kick off with a short climb to the top of CPF’s Fairchild Hill for an expansive snowy view. We’ll wind our way back down the hill, along a beautiful and tranquil route, for a total hike that’s approximately 1-mile long. As the sun sets, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the soft glow of lanterns, the first stars of the evening, and the nearly full moon lighting up the snow underfoot. We’ll stop near the pines and listen to the quiet hush of a winter evening, and with a little luck, perhaps we’ll hear the call of a great-horned or barred owl.
Once we finish our hike, we'll return to Meier’s Creek Brewing Company, where you can purchase hot cider or other refreshments to enjoy while you sit and relax around the fire pits.
Snowshoes
We encourage you to bring your own snowshoes. We have a limited number of pairs available to borrow, courtesy of the Friends of Stoney Pond (FROSTY). Reserve your pair online, in advance. If you reserve shoes to borrow, please arrive at 4:00 p.m. so that we have enough time to get everyone outfitted before the hike begins.
More Details
For more information about this and other snowshoe events, including a helpful FAQ section, check out CPF’s events page. CPF will also be hosting a daytime Snowshoe Hike on Sunday, February 9 at 12 noon, sponsored by 20 | East, starting at Meier’s Creek Brewing Co., as part of our regular Snowshoe Sunday event series.