BREIA/Tug Hill Weekend Trip for February 2024 - Cancelled
(Updated Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Back by popular demand, CNSC is excited to offer another weekend trip to the Black River Environmental Improvement Association (BREIA) and the Tug Hill region in February 2024. Depending on the snow conditions, we will plan our February weekend centered around skiing at BREIA trails (more information on BREIA below) and/or the Tug Hill region.
Since BREIA is just 121 miles from Ithaca (35 miles north of Utica), you can join us for the day or for the weekend. We have scheduled the group ski tours (see tour schedule below) to make it easy to join us for the morning, afternoon or the entire day.
We plan to ski different trail systems on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, depending on trail conditions, interest and skier experience.
As we get closer to the weekend, we will closely monitor the trail conditions. The Tug Hill region is famously known for lots of snow so let's hope we can return to enjoy the BREIA trails as we did in Janury 2024.
Important: To keep up-to-date on trip planning, including a weekend schedule (see tentative schedule below) of group ski tours, trail conditions and social activities with other participants, we will post updates here and on the Club Google Group Email List. Please make sure you are subscribed to the Google Group to stay up to date.
Transportation to BREIA: You are responsible for arranging your own transportation for the trip. If you would like to ride with someone or share transportation, we suggest posting to the Club Google Group Email List.
Questions? Contact Jen Woltjen at jenrunner2@gmail.com or text/cell to (607) 444-1735
Weekend Dates
February 9 - 11, 2024 (Friday - Sunday)
Host Hotel - The Lodge at Headwaters, Boonville, New York (see lodging information below). Located at 13524 NY-12, Boonville, NY 13309 More information about the host hotel below.
Information on the BREIA Trails and Other Nearby Ski Trails
Located near Boonville, New York , the Black River Environmental Improvement Association (BREIA) manages and maintains more than 50 kilometers of trails near Boonville, New York. Access to the trails and facilities is free and the trails remain open throughout the year, offering hiking and biking in the warmer months. Visit the BREIA website for more information about their trails, levels of difficulty, various trailhead locations, trail maps and trail conditions.
We highly suggest downloading/printing the PDF maps before you leave home. Links to all the trail maps provided below on the ski tour schedule.
Boonville is also close to the Tug Hill Region where you can ski on groomed and ungroomed trails at other locations such as Osceola Ski & Sport and Osceola Tug Hill (both about 30 minutes from Boonville). See details below for information on where to ski.
February 9 - 11 Tentative Weekend Schedule of Group Ski Tours and Social Gatherings
Updated Monday, January 29, 2024
All ski tours are subject to trail conditions at the time of the ski tour. We will post all updates here and on the Google Group Email List.
Questions? Contact Jen Woltjen (607) 444-1735 (cell/text) or email jenrunner2@gmail.com
Note: BREIA does not charge trail fees.
Come up for the Day!
Interested in coming up for just the day, a morning or afternoon? We have designed the schedule of group ski tours to accommodate that. You are welcome to join us at any or all of the following group ski tours throughout the weekend. You can also ski on your own if you wish.
Please Note: We will have a policy of "no skier left behind" on our scheduled group ski tours. This means we will ski together as much as we can with a person at the lead and a person or two to "sweep." We will also stop and re-group as necessary.
Friday, February 9
Afternoon Group Ski Tour
Meeting Time 2 PM - 3:30 PM (ski as much or as little as you wish)
Where: Potato Hill Farm and Trails (just 5 minutes from downtown Boonville)
Meet - at parking lot
Link to Trail Map (PDF) Showing Trailhead Meeting Location (red arrow on map)
Ski Tour Leader: Jen Woltjen
Description for Afternoon Ski Tour
We will start our weekend ski trip with a relatively easy group ski tour on the easier Potato Hills Trails, located located just 5 minutes from downtown Boonville. The Potato Hill trails offer over 6 kilometers of well-maintained and easier trails offering majestic vies of the Tug Hill Plateau.
Download and/or print the PDF map before you leave.
Friday Night Social/Appetizers to Share
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Where: The Lodge at Headwaters
Join other club members at our host hotel, the Lodge at Headwaters, in their inviting lounge and dining room for happy hour and lively conversation. If you can, please bring an appetizer to share with others We will review the weekend's activities and answer any questions. Feel free to come anytime between 5:30 to 7:30 PM.
Contact: Jen Woltjen, (607) 444-1735 (cell/text) or email jenrunner2@gmail.com
Saturday, February 10
Morning Group Ski Tour
Meeting Time: 10 AM - 10:30 AM
Where: Jackson Hill Sunfield Trails, 8240 Jackson Hill Road, Boonville, NY 13309
Google Map Link to Trailhead (parking lot) - look for the BREIA sign
Ski Tour Leader(s): Jen Woltjen and others
Link to Trail Map (PDF) Showing Trailhead Meeting Location (red arrow on map)
(607) 444-1735 (cell/text) or email jenrunner2@gmail.com
Description for Morning Ski Tour
Plan to park in the parking lot for the Jackson Hill trails and meet us at the Jackson Hill Skyfields Trailhead warming hut (just near the parking lot) on Jackson Hill Road. Together, we will explore the Beginner and Intermediate trails across the road before breaking for lunch/snacks back at the warming lodge (warmed with a wood stove) around 1 PM. Plan to bring your own snack/lunch, hydration (warm thermos is nice) and extra layers of clothing. You can leave stuff in the warming lodge while you ski.
Option - you may ski on your own if you wish.
Download and/or print the PDF map before you leave. Link here to the Jackson Hill Skyfield Trails (PDF) with trailhead meeting location (red arrow on map).
Please Note: We will have a policy of "no skier left behind" on our scheduled group ski tours. This means we will ski together as much as we can with a person at the lead and a person or two to "sweep." We will also stop and re-group as necessary.
Afternoon Group Ski Tour
Meeting Time: about 1 PM in the warming hut (feel free to come early to warm up)
Where: Jackson Hill Sunfield Trails, 8240 Jackson Hill Road, Boonville, NY 13309
Google Map Link to Trailhead (parking lot)
Link to Trail Map (PDF) Showing Trailhead Meeting Location (red arrow on map)
Ski Tour Leader(s): Jen Woltjen
(607) 444-1735 (cell/text) or email jenrunner2@gmail.com
Description for Afternoon Ski Tour
Plan to park in the parking lot and meet us at the Jackson Hill Skyfields Trailhead warming hut (a short ski from the parking lot) on Jackson Hill Road. Together, we will continue to explore the Beginner and Intermediate trails on both sides of the road for about 2 - 3 hours depending on group consensus. Plan to bring your own snack/lunch, hydration (warm thermos is nice) and extra layers of clothing. You can leave stuff in the warming hut (wood stove) while you ski.
Option - you may ski on your own if you wish.
Saturday Night Social/Dinner
Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Where: The Lodge at Headwaters
We will celebrate our day of skiing back at our Host Hotel, the Lodge at Headwaters, in their inviting lounge and dining room. Options for your meal including dining out, ordering a take-out meal from a local eatery (see recommendations below) or bringing your own. The dining room at the Lodge at Headwaters has a microwave for our use.
Sunday, January 28
Morning Group Ski Tour
Meeting Time: Meet 10 AM to 10:30 AM
Where: Alder Creek Gorge/Egypt Road Trails
Link to Trail Map (PDF) Showing Trailhead Meeting Location (red arrow on map)
Ski Tour Leader(s): Jen Woltjen and others
(607) 444-1735 (cell/text) or email jenrunner2@gmail.com
Description for Morning Ski Tour
We will meet at the Egypt Road Trailhead Parking Lot on Egypt Road. Together, we will explore the Rim Trail (Intermediate level) with the option of crossing the road and finishing up on the intermediate level Glacier Trail (with a Black Diamond downhill). We will ski for about 2 to 3 hours with the option of skiing longer or going shorter if you wish to get back on the road and head home.
Plan to bring your own snack/lunch, hydration and extra layers of clothing. A warming lodge (wood stove) is available just off the trail southwest of the parking lot. You may ski on your own if you wish.
Download and/or print the PDF map before you leave. Link here to the Egypt Road Trail Map (PDF) with trailhead meeting location (red arrow on map).
Information on Places to Ski Nearby (with distance from the Lodge at Headwaters, Boonville):
Black River Environmental Improvement Association (BREIA) Trails, Boonville - access to these trails are free.
Egypt Road Trail System - 11 minutes/9 miles. Offers Intermediate and Advanced Trails.
The Canal Trails - 1 minute/1 mile. Offers Beginner and Intermediate Trails.
Jackson Hill Trails - 7 minutes/4 miles. Offers Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Trails.
Potato Hill Farm & Trails - 6 minutes/4 miles. Offers Beginner and Intermediate Trails.
McCauley Mountain, Old Forge - 40 minutes/29 miles (groomed and ungroomed cross country ski trails)
Lodging Options Near the BREIA Trails (Boonville NY area)
Cayuga Nordic Ski Club has secured a small block of rooms for the club for the February weekend. Those interested in getting a room in the block should reserve a room by January 8. After this date, the block of rooms are released to the public. However, they may have rooms available after January 8 so please check online or call them directly. We highly recommend reserving a room as soon as possible if you think you may come. The Lodge at Headwaters has a generous cancellation penalty - 48 hours. For example, if you reserve a room for the February weekend, you have up until 48 hours before your arrival date to cancel without penalty.
Room Rate for the Club - $159.00 per night (two queen beds, private bath, full breakfast). This rate is negotiated by the club for our block of rooms.
How to Reserve a Room at the Lodge at Headwaters - Call the Lodge directly at 315-942-2027 or book online. Make sure you tell them that you are reserving a room in the Cayuga Nordic Ski Club block for your planned date(s). If you do not see room availability online, then we recommend calling them.
Suggestions for Other Nearby Lodging (distance to Boonville)
The Edge Hotel in Lyons Falls, NY - 13 minutes/11 miles
Hampton Inn, Rome, NY - 32 minutes/24 miles
Suggestions for Nearby Eating Places
Flatlander Deli at Awesome Country, 106 Park Avenue, Boonville, NY. Open Fridays until 6 PM and Saturdays until 5 PM. Dine-in and take out available. Phone: (315) 525-2882
Boonville Hotel, 103 Water Street, Boonville, NY. Open on Fridays and Saturdays until 9 PM. Dine-in only.
Broadway Cafe & Bakery , 143 Main Street, Boonville, NY. Dine-in, takeout & delivery available. Open until 2 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Phone: (315) 358-4035
Capri Pizza, 111 Main Street, Boonville, NY. Dine-in, takeout and delivery available. Open until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday. Phone: (315) 942-2305 Order online at capripizzeriaonline. Link to View menu.
Woodland Farm Brewery (located inside the Hulbert House), 106 Main Street, Boonville, NY. Open on Fridays and Saturdays until 9 PM. Dine-in and take-out available. Phone: (315) 358-4027