Winter FAQs

Currently there are no businesses offering snowmobile rentals in Chautauqua County. Learn more about where you can ride your snowmobile in Western New York.

There are more than 400 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Chautauqua County. Trails are generally open from January to mid-March depending on the weather, and are groomed by members from five local clubs.

Peek'n Peak Resort, located on the southern end of Findley Lake in Chautauqua County, boasts 26 groomed slopes, miles of cross-country trails, snowboarding, snow tubing, and equipment sales and rentals.

You can visit Chautauqua Institution year-round. A gate pass is only required during the nine-week summer season. The gates are open the rest of the year, including during the winter, and admission is free. Locations such as the Book Store, Library, and Post Office are open year-round. Some hotels and vacation rentals are open year-round, and some restaurants and shops at Chautauqua Institution are open outside of the summer season. Chautauqua Institution holds some events during the winter, including weekend sleigh and wagon rides.

Some locations for cross country skiing and snowshoeing include Long Point State Park, Lake Erie State Park, Boutwell Hill State Forest, the Eastside and Westside Overland Trails, Chautauqua Institution, Audubon Community Nature Center, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Rails to Trails, and Roger Tory Peterson Institute.