What a weekend! Thank you to all who came.
We are returning to BREIA in 2026! Abundant snow for our 2025 trip made for a memorable (and cold) club trip. We are excited to offer another super weekend trip to the Black River Environmental Improvement Association (BREIA) and the Tug Hill region in February 2026.
The weekend accommodates a flexible schedule: come either Friday or Saturday or Sunday or a combination of the three days.
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 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 and interest. On both Friday and Saturday evenings, we will host a social get-together at the Lodge at Headwaters. You do not want to miss this weekend!
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 celebrate another return to BREIA.
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 Jenn Woltjen at jennifer.woltjen@gmail.com
February 6 - 8, 2026 (Friday - Sunday)
Host Hotel - The Lodge at Headwaters, Boonville, New York (see lodging information below). Located at 13524 NY-12, Boonville, NY 13309
Book now to get a room! We have a block reserved. Details below.
How to Reserve a Room at the Lodge at Headwaters - Call the Lodge directly at 315-942-2027. Make sure you tell them that you are reserving a room in the Cayuga Nordic Ski Club block for your planned date(s).
Cayuga Nordic Ski Club has secured a block of rooms for the club. Those interested in staying here need to reserve their room by January 6. After those dates, the block of rooms is released to the public. 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, you have up until 48 hours before your arrival date to cancel without penalty.
Room Rate for the Club - $149.00 per night plus taxes (two queen beds, private bath and 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. Make sure you tell them that you are reserving a room in the Cayuga Nordic Ski Club block for your planned date(s).
The Edge Hotel in Lyons Falls, NY - 13 minutes/11 miles
Hampton Inn, Rome, NY - 32 minutes/24 miles
Airbnb - search for Boonville, NY. Some club members have used this option
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 various trailhead locations (see listing below), 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 more places to ski near Boonville.
All ski tours are subject to trail conditions at the time of the ski tour. We will post any trail updates to the Google Group Email List.
Questions? Contact Jenn Woltjen at jennifer.woltjen@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.
The following schedule is tentative:
Friday, February 6
Afternoon Group Ski Tour
Meeting Time: 2 PM
Where: Potato Hill Farm and Trails (just 5 minutes from downtown Boonville)
Address: 11904 Potato Hill Road, Boonville, NY 13309
Ski on your own at Potato Hill Farm which offers easy to moderate trails. Come any time between 2 PM and 4 PM. The trail system is easy to follow. A warming lodge is available in the Big Barn, a short ski from the parking lot. Plan to catch up with fellow skiers here in the Big Barn.
Link to Trail Map (PDF) Showing Parking Lot (red arrow on map)
Ski Tour Leaders: Jen Woltjen and Larry Lepak
Description for Afternoon Ski Tour
Warm up your ski legs on the gentle and rolling Potato Hills Trails, located just 5 minutes from downtown Boonville. Come any time between 2 PM and 4 PM to take advantage of the beautiful trails at Potato Hill that offer over 6 kilometers of well-maintained trails with majestic views of the Tug Hill Plateau. Potato Hill Farm just opened a new warming lodge in the Big Barn and has a heated bathhouse nearby. A newly expanded parking lot welcomes us.
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 (NOTE: BYOB as the lodge does not offer cold drinks). If you wish, 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.
Saturday, February 7
Morning Group Ski Tour
Meeting Time: 10 AM - 10:30 AM
Where: The Lodge at Jackson Hill Sunfields, 7849 Jackson Hill Road, Boonville, NY 13309. NOTE New meeting location this year.
Google Map Link to Trailhead (parking lot)
Ski Tour Leader(s): TBA
Link to Trail Map (PDF) Showing Parking Lot Meeting Location (red arrow on map)
Description for Morning Ski Tour
Plan to park in the parking lot adjacent to the Lodge at Jackson Hill Sunfields and meet inside the Lodge warming hut (about 2/10 of a mile walk/ski from the parking lot) on Jackson Hill Road. Note that this is a different warming hut from previous trips. The "older" hut has structural damage and is not being used.
Together, we will explore the trails from the Lodge at Jackson Hill Sunfields 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: approximately 1 PM
Where: The Lodge at Jackson Hill Sunfields, 7849 Jackson Hill Road, Boonville, NY 13309. NOTE New meeting location.
Link to Trail Map (PDF) Showing Parking Lot Meeting Location (red arrow on map)
Ski Tour Leader(s): TBA
Description for Afternoon Ski Tour
Plan to park in the parking lot and meet at the Lodge at Jackson Hill Skyfields warming hut (the same meeting place as our morning ski).
Together, we will continue to explore the trails on both sides of the road for about 2 hours depending on group consensus - we may break up into groups based on interest.
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
Happy Hour: 5 PM (BYOB)
Dinner: 6 PM (Bring a dish to pass, a placesetting and your favorite beverage)
Where: Headwaters Lodge
NOTE: BYOB as the lodge does not offer cold drinks
Sunday, February 8
Morning Ski Tour - Your Choice
Meeting Time: Meet 10 AM to 10:30 AM or as desired
Where: We will finish our weekend with a ski destination of your own choosing. Some options listed below.
Here are a few popular options:
(1) Ski at the Egypt Road Trail Systems.
A warming lodge (wood stove) is available just off the trail southwest of the parking lot.
Download and/or print the PDF map before you leave. Link here to the Egypt Road Trail Map (PDF) with trailhead parking location (red arrow on map).
(2) Return to the Jackson Hill Trail Systems (where we skied on Saturday; details above)
(3) Return to the Potato Hill Trail System (where we skied on Friday; details above)
(4) Ski at Osceola Ski & Sport or Osceola Tug Hill (both are about a 30 minute drive east) from the Lodge at Headwaters.
(5) Ski elsewhere (other options below)
Egypt Road Trail System - 11 minutes/9 miles
The Canal Trails - 1 minute/1 mile
Jackson Hill Trails - 7 minutes/4 miles
Potato Hill Farm & Trails - 6 minutes/4 miles
Fern Park, Inlet - 54 minutes/40 miles (groomed and ungroomed cross country ski trails). About 22 kilometers of trails and 2 k of night skiing. Warming hut, skating rink, and sledding hill.
Woodcraft Camps, Old Forge - 55 minutes/36 miles (groomed, tracked and ungroomed). About 10 kilometers. A hidden gem. Follow on Facebook.
Capri Pizzeria, 111 Main Street, Boonville, NY. Dine in or order online via website or by phone. Facebook page. Gluten free pizza available. Delivery available. (607) 942-2305 or 3749
Awesome Country (Deli and Country Store), 106 Park Avenue, Boonville, NY
Broadway Cafe & Bakery , 143 Main Street, Boonville, NY
Woodland Farm Brewery (located inside the Hulbert House), 106 Main Street, Boonville, NY
