Winter Trails

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Winter Trails Etiquette

CPF’s winter trails are multi-use trails enjoyed by cross-country skiers, snowshoers, dogwalkers, fat tire bikers, and in the case of the South Trail, snowmobilers. By following these few rules of winter trail etiquette, we can improve the experience for everyone.

When walking on snowy trails, snowshoes are preferred to prevent “post-holing”—when your legs sink deep into the snow with each step—unless snow conditions are very firm.

On trails where tracks have been set for cross-country skiing by grooming machines or where skiers have established well-travelled tracks, please be sure to walk/snowshoe in the flat packed area and not in the ski tracks.

We know that we can’t keep the dogs out of the ski tracks entirely, but if we humans can do our part, it helps! As is the case in all seasons, please clean up after your pets. Please remove all used waste bags from the trail and parking area. CPF properties are carry-in, carry-out.

Safe Winter Recreation Guidelines

• Dress for the weather—wear layers and avoid cotton.

• Tell someone where you are going.

• Choose trails appropriate for your abilities.

Trail Use Disclaimer

By using CPF’s public access trails, you agree to the following liability release and waiver.

I am aware that cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and walking on winter trails is potentially dangerous. I will hike, ski and snowshoe sensibly and I assume all risks associated with the activity including but not limited to injuries caused by slips, contact with other participants, equipment malfunction, getting lost, effects of weather and/or condition of trail, hypothermia, all such risks being known and appreciated, even welcomed, by me. Having read this waiver and knowing these facts, I, for myself and my minor dependents and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation and FROSTY, or successors from all claims or liabilities arising from my participation in these activities.

Winter Trail Conditions

We’ll repost the Friends of Stoney Pond (FROSTY) trail reports here throughout the season.

FROSTY Trails Report - Sunday, February 18, 2024

Attention all Snow Stompers,

If you've been endlessly jumping up and down in an attempt to shake flakes out of the sky, today is the day to reap the rewards from your cry.  Enough snow blanketed the trails to enable some long-awaited grooming. The rolled roster of trails is limited to Stoney Pond: 1,2,3,4,6,17,19 and 22. Thin snowpack kept the corduroy comb up, but the rolled texture is very skiable with 100% coverage.

Other FROSTY venues remain ungroomed with enough snow for a pleasant snowshoe or ski in open fields. Go to Nordic Pulse for all the details.

Groomer's Choice:  With this favorable weather window closing soon, get out on the trails on this Sunday after-noon!

FROSTY Trails Report - Tuesday December 26th

Snow Seekers,

Now that Santa has emptied his sleigh before retreating to the North Pole, it's time to ask Mother Nature to deliver a thick fluffy blanket to CNY.  For now, take advantage of balmy temps for an outdoor booted tramp while envisioning effortless sliding and gliding on the skinny sticks.

As a reminder, this week is the DEC Holiday Hunt, so follow Rudolph's advice and prance safely in the woods.

Cazenovia Preservation Foundation has a full slate of Snowshoe Sundays this winter, so swing on over to Meier's Creek for a stompin' good time.

Happy Holidays––may your days be filled with brightness throughout the New Year!

In addition to the FROSTY report, you can check out Nordic Pulse’s real-time conditions of trails in and around Cazenovia including CPF’s Gorge Trail, Fairchild Hill, and Burlingame Trails, the Lorenzo State Historic Site, Meier’s Creek Brewing Co., and the Madison County Distillery.