Erie gets a lot of snow - and does it better than anyone. Visit Erie for a true snow day and embrace the snowy season. Grab your gear, bundle up, and make plans to play in the snow at one of these snowy spots this winter. 

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Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle isn't just a summer destination - it's a peaceful, and still destination in the winter months. The trails at Presque Isle are open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, in addition to hiking and birdwatching. The paved Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail is plowed from the main park entrance to the Public Safety Building, allowing visitors to navigate the path with ease. The trail is left snow covered from the Public Safety Building to Perry Monument. Beyond the park, winter is a great time to get out on the ice of Presque Isle Bay when it's thick enough to safely do so (the general rule is 4" for a single angler, 6" for ice boating, and 7" for a small group). Presque Isle Bay and Misery Bay are popular for skating, pond hockey, and ice fishing.  On the lake side, walk the beaches to admire the ice dunes, but don't climb on them. Their instability makes walking on them extremely dangerous. 

Asbury Woods

Throughout winter, as long as there are at least six inches of snow on the ground, Asbury Woods allows visitors to snowshoe or cross-country ski across five trails that wind through its scenic 216-acre property of native species, old-growth forests, and sprawling terrain. Visitors can bring their own gear or rent equipment inside the Nature Center. For those new to either sport or looking to refine their technique, Asbury Woods offers basic skills clinics on weekends during the winter months, weather permitting. When there isn’t enough snow, visitors can still enjoy outdoor fun with various nature hikes.

Peek 'n Peak

The region's biggest ski resort is at Peek'n Peak, just over the New York line in Clymer, NY. Featuring 26 trails and slopes of varying difficulty levels, as well as three terrain parks for those looking to get creative, the Peek offers a complete winter getaway experience, so you never have to leave the resort. Rentals and lessons are available on site. Skiing isn't a prerequisite for visiting: the seven-lane tubing hill includes a "Magic Carpet" lift to take tubers to the top, and is colorfully lit up at night for "Lunar Lights." Between runs, warm up at the lodge, where a full restaurant and bar are available, as well as a pool, spa, and lodging. 

Mount Pleasant of Edinboro

Nestled among the rolling hills of Edinboro, just south of Erie, Mount Pleasant of Edinboro is a small ski resort with a big family atmosphere. Mount Pleasant features 15 distinct trails with difficulties ranging from beginner to advanced, including six trails that are supported with snowmaking and lights for night skiing. Additionally, the eight-lane, 600-foot tubing hill features a tube tow to take visitors back to the top. The resort also offers a covered conveyor lift, tubing tow, clubhouse, equipment rentals, and a tuning shop.

Frontier Park 

With a picturesque backdrop of dormant trees and frost-kissed foliage in the heart of Erie, Frontier Park provides an ideal setting for a contemplative stroll or a moment of quiet reflection. The park’s paved, natural, and gravel paths are maintained during the winter and are suitable for hiking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. In the northwest corner of the park, the Benjamin Winter Garden offers a peaceful space. Only the third of its kind in the country, the garden features plants that thrive when most others are dormant, such as winterberry, a holly plant with vibrant red berries.