Can’t Stop the Snow; Enjoy It, Erie County Officials Say

While we haven’t had a record-breaking amount of snowfall across Buffalo and Erie County this year—yet—it’s been a steady stream of snowflakes for the past few weeks.

Instead of letting cabin fever set in, there are plenty of things to do to embrace the wonderland of white before it either melts or Mother Nature turns on the defroster.

“Our Erie County parks are a treasure all year long, and the wintertime is no exception, with a wide variety of free cold weather activities for everyone to enjoy,” says Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. “While the snow and cold temperatures have created headaches on the roads, they’ve been heavenly for the parks and have left a winter wonderland for families and individuals to explore. This weekend will be a great opportunity to get out and find your next winter adventure in an Erie County park.”

Unlike recent winters, this snow should be hanging around for a little while.  Among the activities suggested for some winter fun:

• Sledding and ice skating in Akron Falls Park
• Sledding, tobogganing, snowboarding, cross-country, and downhill skiing at Chestnut Ridge Park
• Ice skating, sledding, and cross-country skiing at Como Lake Park
• Sledding and cross-country skiing at Ellicott Creek Park
• Sledding and groomed cross-country skiing at Elma Meadows Park
• Snowboarding, cross-country, and downhill skiing at Emery Park
• Groomed and ungroomed cross-country skiing at Grover Cleveland Golf Course
• Sledding, groomed and ungroomed cross-country skiing at Sprague Brook Park

Emery Park and Chestnut Ridge parks have ski tows that operate Wednesday through Friday from 3-7 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. The infamous toboggan run at Chestnut Ridge Park, with its legendary view of the Buffalo city skyline, is available from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Looking a little further ahead, it was announced this week that the November Project will host its fifth annual winter summit, SnowGlobe, in Buffalo next weekend, January 31 through February 2. The event includes indoor and outdoor activities from Canalside and Niagara Square to the Buffalo Curling Club facilities and up to the Richardson Hotel.

“Buffalo is the perfect venue for our signature mid-winter event aimed at proving that active living can be weatherproof,” says Bojan Mandaric, executive director of the November Project, a free and popular fitness movement that encourages people to stay active outdoors in all kinds of weather. “The Buffalo chapter of November Project has put together an incredible weekend of something for everyone. Saturday’s Stampede scavenger hunt highlighting landmarks throughout the city is not to be missed!”

Events include a meet and greet with participants and visitors at 42 North downtown next Thursday from 6-9 p.m.; a Friday morning workout at Niagara Square starting at 6:30 a.m.; a silent disco or ice skating at Canalside Friday evening; the scavenger hunt starting at 9 a.m. Saturday morning; and a closing party at the Richardson Hotel starting at 7 p.m., before a fun run finale Sunday morning starting at Paula’s Donuts in Larkinville at 8 a.m.

There is a $35 fee to participate in most events, while some do require additional fees; more information can be found here.