CAZENOVIA — Cazenovia Preservation Foundation (CPF) will present its popular Snowshoe Sunday series this winter on the second and fourth Sundays in January, February, and March. Returning for its fifth year, the series is a free, beginner-friendly way for community members of all ages to get outsi de, embrace winter, and enjoy a low-impact activity while exploring CPF’s scenic trails. If snow conditions aren’t sufficient, the outing will become a winter hike instead. The excursions begin and end at Meier’s Creek Brewing Company at 33 Rippleton Rd. in Cazenovia. Adult and youth snowshoes are available to borrow, courtesy of the Friends of Stoney Pond, a nonprofit organization that fosters year-round outdoor recreation through its efforts in trail development and maintenance, snow grooming, snowshoe rentals, and advocacy for human-powered trails-based activities throughout Madison County. “While many participants wear their own snowshoes, [having] snowshoes that people can borrow [makes] it easy for individuals and families to try out the sport before making an investment in purchasing their own equipment,” said CPF Executive Director Jen Wong. To ensure availability, participants are encouraged to reserve snowshoes in advance through the CPF website. Those borrowing snowshoes should arrive by 11:30 a.m. to allow time for check-in and gearing up. Participants who are not borrowing equipment should arrive at noon for a brief welcome and overview of the event. Hikes are led by CPF staff and experienced CPF volunteers, including CPF Board members and Chary Griffin, a Cazenovia resident and former snowshoe racer. All participants will walk together with their guide or guides for about 15-20 minutes to the top of Fairchild Hill. “At that point, depending on the group and weather conditions, we typically divide into multiple groups, and participants have several options from which to choose,” said Wong. Hikers have the following options, ranging in total distance from approximately 1 to 4 miles: hike directly back down the hill to Meier’s Creek; join a CPF guide for a hike around the Fairchild Hill Upper Loop Trail before heading back down the hill; or join a CPF guide to the Burlingame Trails for a longer hike. “Participants enjoy the company of getting out with a group, as opposed to hiking on their own, especially during a season that can tend to keep people at home a little more,” said Wong. “Not everyone is comfortable exploring a new trail system on their own; the fact that these are guided snowshoe walks may be part of the reason that we’re seeing so many new faces at these events. Cazenovia is beautiful all year and can be particularly picturesque in the winter.” Meier’s Creek is working on a special Snowshoe Sunday brew that will be on tap during this season’s Snowshoe Sunday events and during a special Winterfest Weekend Lantern-Lit Snowshoe Hike. A portion of the proceeds from sales will support CPF’s ongoing trail maintenance and free public programming and events. The 2026 Snowshoe Sunday dates are Jan. 11 and 25, Feb. 8 and 22, and March 8 and 22. For more information on these and other events, visit cazpreservation.org/events. ...read more read less