Saratoga Springs in winter: Your new favorite snowy playground
Let’s talk about Saratoga Springs in winter. Maybe you’re wondering if upstate New York might get boring, quiet, or cold in the winter. It gets chilly — no doubt — but boring? Never.
Saratoga Springs and nearby areas are a cozy-chic, adventure-packed winter destination. From adrenaline-pumping activities to hidden spots perfect for your next Instagram story, let’s explore some of the places that make the area a great place to enjoy the winter.
Saratoga Tea and Honey Co. is a great place to warm up in winter.
Skiing, tubing, and ice skating: the classics, done right
You don’t need to be in Aspen to get your feel for winter sports. Saratoga Springs offers access to some seriously fun slopes and ice rinks.
West Mountain: Just a 25-minute drive away, this gem is perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. It’s also open in the evening, so it’s a great place to go when classes are finished. Sunset views that hit differently when you’re gliding down the hill? Check. Gore Mountain, Whiteface Mountain, and other Adirondack slopes are also nearby.
Willard Mountain: If you’re a beginner, this is a perfect and reasonably priced spot to learn the ropes of skiing or snowboarding. Located about 40 minutes from campus, it offers gentle slopes and great instructors to get you started.
Saratoga Spa State Park Ice Rink: If skating is more your vibe, this rink offers a vintage, winter-wonderland aesthetic that pairs perfectly with a thermos of hot cocoa. The park, less than three miles from campus, also offers $10-a-day snowshoe rentals and an impressive network of trails.
From left, Anh Tran '27 and Alex Ly '28 on a recent tubing trip to West Mountain with Lucia and Elina Harwood, daughters of Skidmore College Learning Experience Designer Ben Harwood.
Unique eats to warm you up
Saratoga Springs’ food scene is anything but ordinary. Whether you need a quick bite or a long, cozy meal, these spots will keep you warm.
Sweet Mimi’s Café: Start your day with their fluffy pancakes — lemon ricotta are a favorite (and also appeared on “Beat Bobby Flay”). They’re basically a hug on a plate.
Walt & Whitman Brewing: Cozy vibes meet killer wood-fired pizza. Early birds can also enjoy Walt Café’s coffee and breakfast menu. Bring a book or your journal and feel like a main character in a snowy indie movie.
Saratoga Tea & Honey: A must-visit for tea lovers. Sip on warm, handcrafted teas while sampling their impressive collection of honey. Perfect for a cozy afternoon break.
Chowderfest: Every February, Saratoga hosts one of its biggest winter events, Chowderfest. Sample dozens of different chowders from local establishments, vote for your favorite, and warm up while strolling through downtown.
Looking for a different vibe? Saratoga Springs offers more than 100 restaurants, most within a short walk of campus.
Decadent French toast from Sweet Mimi's.
Indie aesthetic meets cozy culture
For those days when you just want to stay warm but still do something cool.
Caffè Lena: Grab a seat for live music or poetry readings at the oldest continuously operating folk coffeehouse in the country and soak in the vibe. (A few Skidmore music classes even perform there.)
Thrifting: Check out Stone Soup Antiques Gallery in nearby Ballston Spa. It’s a hidden gem full of vintage treasures, from clothing to rare collectibles. You might not notice it from the road, but step inside, and you’ll be transported into a world of unique finds.
Northshire Bookstore: An independent bookstore straight out of a dream. Pick up a novel, and lose yourself in intellectual bliss.
Saratoga Springs Art District: Just four blocks from Broadway, Beekman Street is home to a vibrant community of artists, specialty shops, and trendy restaurants.
DIY Art Crawl: From modern galleries like Skidmore's Tang Teaching Museum to quirky street art sprinkled downtown, Saratoga turns into an artist’s dreamscape during winter. Bonus points if you bring a sketchbook or camera. Don’t miss The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls. Skidmore’s Scribner Library even offers free passes for you to explore it and other nearby museums.
Thrifting at Stone Soup Antiques Gallery in Ballston Spa is fabulous.
Springs and chill: A true Saratoga specialty
Did you know Saratoga’s nickname is Spa City? Winter is the perfect time to lean into its old-time but rejuvenating offerings.
Roosevelt Baths and Spa: Treat yourself to a warm mineral bath in the middle of a snowy day. It’s like stepping into history but with better Wi-Fi.
DIY Spa Night: Collect some mineral water from the springs around town (yes, it’s free!) and create your own spa setup in your dorm or Airbnb. TikTok-worthy? Maybe.
Not so secret winter tips from Skidmore students
Skidmore Outing Club Adventures: If you’re already at Skidmore, sign up for the Outing Club’s winter trips. Think: hiking frozen waterfalls, snowboarding, and campfires in the snow.
Moonlight sledding: You didn’t hear this from me but grab a sled (or whatever else you can find that will slide down a hill, we don’t judge) and hit the hill on campus when the moon’s out. It’s a rite of passage for Skidmore students.
Winter in Saratoga Springs? Yes, please.
Saratoga Springs in winter is like that introvert you underestimated at first but turns out to be the most interesting person in the room. It’s cozy, creative, and full of surprises — you just have to know where to look.
So, if you’re considering Skidmore College but worried about winter, have no fear – there’s so much awaiting you here all year long.
Coming to Saratoga Springs without a car? Grace Mahon ’26 shares favorite places in Saratoga Springs to eat, shop, relax, study, and explore without a car.