Winter Gear for Dogs

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Most dogs stay pretty warm in their own natural coats and do not require anything else all winter.

But others do not grow coats thick or long enough for extended walks in winter weather.

Or the hair around their ears is thin and short enough that they don’t stay comfortably warm.

The salt used on walkways can cause painful cuts on dogs’ pads.

That is why dog coats, hats and boots can keep your pal more comfortable this winter.

Many dogs dislike wearing clothing — at least at first. With some time, patience — and maybe a few treats — your dog will forget about his outerwear and it will become part of his winter walking routine.

To find the right fit, carefully measure your dog, compare it to the manufacturer’s size chart and make sure you order the correct size. Many pet clothing items may be adjusted to fit. It is usually better to go up a size rather than ordering something too snug. Many manufacturers allow returns and exchanges for clothing that does not fit.

Walkee Paws (www.amazon.com, Item: B08GQDNM4M. $29.99) not only protect your pooch’s feet, but also his legs, which can help keep slushy messes out of your house. Typically, dog boots are easy to kick off—and often fall off on their own. Walkee Paws extend higher on the legs, like built-in leggings, and then their straps fasten together on the dog’s back. The outsole has treads to ensure no skidding and the boots are machine washable.

The Kuoser British Style Plaid Dog Winter Coat (www.amazon. com, Item: B07Y537V92. $12.99) gives your dog snazzy style and extra warmth with polyester fiber filling and a water-resistant inner layer. It fastens with a hook and loop closure at the neck and chest and even has a small pocket on the back. The seven available sizes should fit most dogs. The coat also comes in solid red.

The Dogo Trapper Hat (www. amazon.com, Item: B01M23NN1X. $250.1) keeps the dog’s ears completely covered for optimal warmth. The denim hat is lined with faux fur. With a broad closure under the throat, the hat stays on better than those with a thin strap.

The Scheppend Original Adidog Pet Sweatshirt (www.amazon.com, Item: WL-13. $9.48) looks like the similarly named human brand but is sized and styled for fashionable dogs who need an extra layer. The cotton material is lined with Sherpa fleece. The hooded shirt snaps underneath the chest and the pants have an open underside. Choose from a variety of

colors to coordinate with your dog’s fur.

In addition to the cold and sidewalk salt, winter dog walking also means fewer hours of daylight. When walking in poor lighting, stay visible by wearing clothing with reflective elements or use a flashing clip-on safety light. Stay on the sidewalk or if that is not possible, walk against traffic for safety.

The BSEEN LED Dog Leash (www.amazon.com, Item: B0723CLFFJ. $16.99) offers a bright light to make drivers aware of your presence. The three modes allow you to set it for slow flash, quick flash or steady flash. Charge with a USB cable in two hours for 12 hours of illumination.

Snow tubing at Four Seasons Golf & Ski Center in Fayetteville. The facility also offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing, making it a good place to go for families that want a variety of winter recreation. Photo provided

Ski Central New York

Bobcat Lounge (temporarily closed) at

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Though not as mountainous as other regions of the state, Central New York offers a few places to ski that can keep locals on the slopes more regularly and offer a novel skiing experience to tourists.

Resort

Ski resorts allow you to stay where you play. With on-site dining, ski shops and more, they offer the ultimate in convenience. While CNY has only who have much to learn and more

one ski resort, it is an excellent family destination.

• Greek Peak is an all-inclusive family resort with more than just great skiing, cross country skiing, snow tubing and snowshoeing. Its indoor waterpark provides a balmy break from the cold and a fun option for any non-skiers in your group (although some features may not be open because of the pandemic). Cascades Waterpark includes a wave pool, indoor pool and the kiddie pool. (Its hot tub, slides and splashing water features remain closed because of the pandemic.) To further entertain the children, Greek Peak has an arcade and the Bearfoot Den Activities Center, board games, books, and puzzles. Greek Peak’s children’s programing includes daily events, such as pajama parties, movie nights, scavenger hunts and more. The facility offers a fitness center and kick sled rentals for all ages. The full-service spa on the grounds is an ideal way to unwind and rejuvenate after a day’s skiing adventure. Greek Peak also offers dining on the grounds at Edgewater, its poolside café, Trax Pub & Grill ski-side, Acorn Grill, and Hope Lake Lodge.

Directions: 2000 state Route 392, Cortland. 800-0955-2754. www.greekpeak.net

Ski Centers

Oriented toward beginning skiers which offers Wii games, creative crafts,

advanced skiers who want to stay active in their sport between ski trips, local ski centers can make skiing more accessible to all.

• Song Mountain Ski Resort offers onsite dining, but not lodging. Nevertheless, Song Mountain’s two dozen trails in a variety of levels of difficulty make it a worthy ski trip. It also provides an inter-mountain passport for access to Labrador Mountain at no additional fees.

Directions: 1 Song Mountain Road, Tully. 315-696-5711. www.skicny.com

• Labrador Mountain provides 20 trails and a restaurant. Stay at a place of lodging nearby and enjoy both Song Mountain and Labrador for a ski weekend.

Directions: 6935 Route 91, Truxton. 607-842-6204. www.skicny.com

• Cazenovia Ski Club is a private ski club; however, its 100 acres represent a broad spectrum of skiing terrain. For frequent skiers in the area, it may be worth joining to ensure constant and close access to skiing opportunities.

Directions: 5251 Rathbun Road, Cazenovia. 315-655-8368. http://skicaz. com

• Camillus Ski Club offers beginners an introduction to skiing and snowboarding; however, the nonprofit also benefits the community through a variety of outreaches involving food justice and volunteering.

Directions: 401 Blackmore Road, Camillus. 315-487-2778. https://camillusskihill.com

• Toggenburg Mountain Winter Sports Center has 21 trails at all levels of difficulty, lessons, a ski shop and an on-site restaurant. A family ski center, Toggenburg is a great choice for locals who frequently ski together.

Directions: 1135 Toggenburg Road, Fabius. 315-683-5842. www.skitog.com

• Four Seasons Golf & Ski Center offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing, making it a good place to go for families that want a variety of winter recreation. Four Seasons has recently added more warming areas. Discount season passes, one-time passes and lesson packages are available online.

Directions: 8012 E. Genesee St. Route 5, Fayetteville. 315-637-9023. www.fourseasonsgolfandski.com

Ski the Adirondacks

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

The Adirondacks region provides New Yorkers plenty of opportunities to stay close to home with their ski vacation. Some of the state’s oldest skiing areas are among those in the Adirondacks, which offers both topnotch ski resorts and skiing centers.

Resorts offer a winter vacation that include places to stay and dine. Resorts also typically have a larger variety of ski runs and other activities and amenities on-site.

Here are some of the option: • Gore Mountain allows skiers to reload their existing SKI3 frequent skier card or season pass from last season or choose to have a new card mailed to them. The first and sixth day are free, with the first day pre-loaded on the frequent skier card valid at Gore, Whiteface, or Belleayre Mountain in the Catskills region. The resort features two new ski lifts with access to all four peaks and the Straight Brook Valley. The Cutoff Trail has been lengthened and dubbed Pete’s Paradise with more beginner-friendly options. Gore Mountain has also expanded its snowmaking capacity.

Directions: 793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek. 518-251-2411. https://goremountain.com.

• White Face Mountain Ski Center & Gondola offers a frequent skier card that provides a 50% savings off mid-week, non-holiday lift tickets and 25% off weekends and holidays. As with Gore, cardholders also get their first and sixth day free. White Face is adding a new Midstation Lodge this season, a new quad at Bear Den and, to keep the season white, increased snow making capacity.

Directions: 5021 Route 86, Wilmington. 518-946-2223. https://whiteface. com

Ski Centers

Whether it is a daytrip or part of a longer, overnight getaway, these ski centers offer a variety of skiing experiences in the Adirondacks. Check the website of each ski center for tips on where to stay in the area, which includes hotels, motels and B&B accommodations. Some may offer stay-andplay packages and dining deals.

Some options:

• McCauley Mountain Ski Center is a 633-foot vertical drops and double black diamond runs. The center was voted No. 1 for 2020 Nordic and downhills skiing by Adirondack.net. Three Olympic skiers started out skiing McCauley Mountain: John “Louie” Ehrensbeck, Hank Kashiwa and Maddie Phaneuf.

Directions: 300 McCauley rd., Old Forge. 315-369-3225. www.mccauleyny. com

• Oak Mountain Ski Center gives the feel of a big mountain ski adventure with its 650-foot vertical drops, but on a smaller scale. This is the center’s 70th anniversary year.

Directions: 141 Novosel Way, Speculator. 518-548-3606. www.oakmountainski.com

• Snow Ridge Ski Area has renovated its former Candlelight Restaurant and rebranded it as Tavern230 with a new menu and improved dining area.

Directions: 4501 West Road, Turin. 315-348-8456. https://snowridge.com

• Titus Mountain was named “Best in Snow” by Liftopia.com. The center now offers a slope-side “skibana” for additional comfort for guests.

Directions: 215 Johnson Road, Malone. 518-483-3740. www.titusmountain.com

Holliday Valley is home to numerous ski trails and offers tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, mountain coaster and “secret” fort for children. It’s located near Buffalo.

Ski the Finger Lakes and Western New York

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

While the Finger Lakes and Western New York regions’ ski venues are more spread out, these areas provide some unique properties worth visiting by locals and tourists alike.

Resorts

• Bristol Mountain is a must-do for any diehard skier. Its trippy 1,200-foot vertical rise is the highest between the Adirondacks and the Rockies. Plus, Bristol’s 34 trails and snowmaking system offer plenty of powder. Bristol also provides several dining options, including Rocket Lodge, Satellite Lounge, Morning Star Café, Sunset Lodge and Summit Grille. Though Bristol offers no ski lodge in the traditional sense, its North Star Village rents two-bedroom townhouses at the base of the mountain for convenient access. Numerous other lodging is nearby as well.

Directions: 5662 Route 64, Canandaigua. 585-374-6000. www.bristolmountain.com

• Peek ‘n Peak Resort & Spa provides 27 trails, a tubing hill and ski and snowboard lessons. Non-skiing activities include the indoor pool, basketball court, fitness center and indoor playground. The resort features a variety of lodgings, Serenity day spa and six dining options: The Market at the Inn, The Sports Bar, Sugar Shack, Starbucks, The Retreat, Bistro 210, and the Main Ski Lodge. Check the website for a variety of getaway packages.

Directions: 1405 Olde Road, Clymer. 716-355-4141. www.pknpk.com

• HoliMont Ski Resort. Billed as America’s largest private ski area, HoliMont offers eight lifts servicing over 50 slopes and trails, as well as the Terrain Parks and Halfpipe. Fatbiking is also available, plus skiing and snowboarding

lessons and equipment rentals. HoliMont does not operate a traditional ski lodge but does provide long-term rental units adjacent to the slopes.

Directions: 6921 Route 242, Ellicottville. 716-699-2320. https://holimont. com

• Holliday Valley is home to numerous ski trails and offers tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, mountain coaster and “secret” fort for children. Skiing lessons and daycare are available. Multiple lodging and rental opportunities offer something for every guest. Check the website for getaway packages. Dining options include John Harvard’s Brew House, McCarty Café, Marketplace in the Yodeler Lodge, Mountainside Grill at the Holiday Valley Lodge and Tannenbaum’s Seven Headwalls Cafe.

Directions: 6557 Holiday Valley Road, Ellicottville. 716-699-2345. www.

Ski Centers

• Powder Mills Park allows beginner skiers to learn experience skiing in the park. The gentle slope is accessed by a single rope tow. There’s also a small lodge, rental equipment and instructors available. Powder Mills is perfect for those possibly interested in skiing who do not want to invest a lot up-front and also those who live locally and want to sneak in a quick ski session.

Directions: 154 Park Road, Pittsford. 585-753-7275 or 607-545-6511. www.facebook.com/PowderMillsPark/?fref=ts

• Brantling Ski Slopes is a family-owned ski center with nine trails served by lifts and tows. Brantling also offers lessons, a small café and, for outside food, a picnic area on the second floor.

Directions: 4015 Fish Farm Road, Sodus. 315-331-2365. www.brantling. com

• Hunt Hollow Ski Club boasts 80 acres of trails. Though a private club, it opens to the public on weekends. Hunt Hollow provides childcare, equipment rental, dining, fire pit and grills, and mountainside residences.

Directions: 7532 County Road 36, Naples. 585-374-5428. www.hunthollow.com

• Buffalo Ski Center offers 43 trails from beginners to expert. Snow making equipment keeps the action going all season. Buffalo Ski Center provides childcare, lessons and dining on-site, but not equipment rentals.

Directions: 7707 Lower East Hill Road, Colden. 716-941-5654. www. buffaloskicenter.com

• Kissing Bridge is meant for beginner through intermediate skiers. Its 26 trails are served by two base lodges and two complete rental facilities. Lessons are available. Kissing Bridge’s snow making equipment keeps the hills covered all season. Dining options include Central Café, The Harvest Room, Lake Effect Saloon and Willies Smokehouse.

Directions: 10296 State Road, Glenwood. 716-592-4963. www.kbski.com

Old Forge. 2021 SnoFest in Old Forge. Get a sneak peek at 2022 snowmobiles and equipment from some of the biggest dealers. Check website for more details. Free. www.adirondack.net/winter/annual-events/snofest. 315-369-6983.

March 6

Old Forge. 2021 SnoFest in Old Forge. See March 5.

March 11

Auburn. SpotLight Showcase. A talent show that repeats the second Thursday of the month. Light refreshments provided. 6:30 p.m. Free. Seneca Cayuga ARC, 39 Genesee St. http://www.arcofsenecacayuga.org. 315-252-7016.

March 20

Statewide. Maple Weekend. Visit any of numerous participating maple farms across the state for their annual open house. Tour the farm, see educational exhibits, witness tapping and boiling demonstrations, shop and sample maple wares. Most farm stores include items such as maple candy, cream, cotton candy, popcorn, and syrup in a variety of functional and decorative containers. Some include other local products for sale. Some farms provide pancake breakfasts. Wear appropriate clothing, outerwear and footwear for visiting a farm. Many activities are outdoors and on uneven ground. Call participating farms listed on the New York Maple Producers website before visiting to ensure COVID guidelines, times, dates, and acceptance of cash or credit card. https:// nysmaple.com.

March 26

Buffalo. Sass Jordan with Special Guest Jessie Galante. Juno Award-winning artist Sass Jordan has made a living singing, performing, writing and recording music internationally for the past thirty years. She is an internationally recognized singer/songwriter who has sold over one million CDs worldwide. 7 p.m. $25. Showplace Theater Event Center, 1065 Grant Street. www. theshowplacetheater.com/sass-jordan.