Oswego, NY Outdoor Activities

Twenty-one runs streak across the Toggenburg Mountain Winter Sports Center trail map, furnishing skiers and snowboarders with ample real estate to perfect swerves and test nerves in the crisp high country air. Five lifts—two doubles, a triple, and a pair of beginner rope tows—hoist snowy revelers to the top of runs such as the black diamond Oh My Goat, the blue square Angora Alley, and the green circle Capricorn Caper, as well as two terrain parks. Here, a gantlet of rails, boxes, and tables not only give daredevils the chance to show off their aerial acrobatics, but also provide a rough idea of what it would be like to wear skis into a furniture store. First-timers and skiers in need of a refresher can sign up for snow school, where expert instructors illuminate proper technique during private, semiprivate, and group lessons.

Off the mountain, Chilly Choices ski shop keeps skiers and snowboarders warm on the outside with hats, gloves, goggles, and apparel. Meanwhile the Foggy Goggle and Toggenburg Cafeteria keep them warm them on the inside with toasty eats such as braised tenderloin tips and pizza.

Snow Ridge Ski Resort offers skiers and snowboarders 130 acres of snowy mountain terrain with 500 feet of vertical drop. Six lifts—including four double chairs, a T-bar, and a bunny tow—usher visitors to the top of 22 different trails. Skiers of all stripes will find terrain suited to their particular skill level, including healthy servings of green, blue, and black-diamond runs. A terrain park features a gauntlet of rails and boxes designed for grinding, jumping, and mid-air wardrobe changes.

The resort is also home to a PSIA-certified ski school, where kids as young as 3 learn the ins and outs of proper downhill technique through instructional games and props. For a snapshot of current conditions at the resort, check out the ski report, which includes information on recent snowfall, the percentage of open terrain, and the number of lifts in operation.

Clasped between Saguaro National Park and the Ironwood Preserve, Double R Ranch appears as though it were plucked straight from the frames of an old Western movie. The windswept grounds stand as a gateway to the thousands of untouched acres that quietly stitch together the Northwest side of Tucson. The ranch gives visitors a chance to explore that land with horseback rides and birthday parties. It also offers weekend getaways and RV hookups to city-dwellers in need of an escape from the crowds and door-to-door minivan salesmen that come with urban living. Double R also accommodates guests who have their own horses with overnight stabling services.

The ember of Nick Coppola's fervor for fishing began years ago. While Nick studied biology in college, this passion bloomed into a full-blown vocation as he spent summers scouring the rivers of Southwest Montana. Since those early moments wading in the tides, Nick has become a New York State–licensed guide, continuing to catch trophy salmon, steelhead trout, brown trout, and runaway goldfish as the head of Slickwater Adventures.

Throughout two seasons each year, Coppola and his staff lead anglers of all levels into some of the East Coast's most picturesque habitats, including the Ausable River during summer months and the eastern Lake Ontario tributaries during winter. No matter the location, Coppola encourages participants to customize each adventure to their specific goals, whether they are honing existing skills, learning basic techniques, or luring in trophy catches with tricks and well-timed eyewinks.

Since sculpting its first fairway in 1928, The Brookwoods Country Club has earned hosting rights to such prestigious events as a U.S. Women’s Open qualifying tournament and multiple New York State Amateur Championships, each attracted by the pristine upkeep and spectacular views sculpted into the Geoffrey Cornish–designed course. Golfers must navigate the dense forestation lining the fairways and the water in play on all holes except the par 3 14th hole, placing a premium on deft club selection and the use of hydrophobic golf balls.

Afterward, players can head to the 19th Hole and refuel with soups and sandwiches on the outdoor patio that overlooks the course. Indoors, a fireplace warms patrons as they sip on post-round beers and regale each other with tales of the time they putted the entire course.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course

• Total length of 6,806 yards from the back tees

• Four sets of tees per hole

• Designed by Geoffrey Cornish

At CNY EQ, head trainer Nicolle Madonna guides students through a specialized training program while paying attention to individual needs. Using her 21 years of experience as a competitive rider, Nicolle identifies the strengths of each pupil, helping them cement the basics of classic equitation before focusing on the style best suited to them. As part of her focus on showmanship, many of Nicolle's protégés go on to compete for top ribbons around New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey as part of the CNY EQ Team. She also leads private and group lessons for equestrians of all ages, allowing trainees to translate horses' Morse-code clops at their own pace.