Well Intentioned: A Winter Wellness Guide to Upstate New York

Once part of the Rockefeller Estate, today this 1930s farm is a non-profit education center and a shining example of slow, sustainable food culture. Visitors can tour the farm (including the greenhouse and innovation labs) to learn all about low-impact agricultural practices and seasonal eating, before settling in for an unforgettable meal at farm-to-table fine-dining restaurant, Blue Hill.

Located in a former textile factory, the Roundhouse hotel was part of Beacon’s transformation from post-industrial town to trendy artist enclave. Rooms are chic and minimalist – with some featuring exposed brick walls and vaulted ceilings. But the star of the show is the restaurant, which treats diners to uninterrupted views of a tree-lined creek and waterfall from its floor-to-ceiling windows. The food is good, too: try the salmon with beurre blanc. Don’t miss nearby DIA Beacon, a modern art museum that was once a box factory.

This design-centric hotel is spread across four historic buildings, each featuring rooms decked with bold colors, vintage prints, snow-white Frette bedding and mini Smeg fridges. There are plenty of yoga and pilates studios around town if that’s your thing (try the Yoga House), while cross-country skiers will love winter birdspotting along the nearby Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. At the end of the day, hunker down in the cozy wood-paneled bar, or relax in the petite infrared sauna.

Want to carve some slopes in the Catskills? With 54 trails and almost 100-percent snowmaking coverage, there’s plenty to keep powder fans and total novices entertained at Windham Mountain ski resort. Save time in the adventure park for snow tubing and mini-snowmobiles (the latter are for kids only, sadly). For some European-style après ski, head to Ze Windham Wine Bar for cheese boards and expertly paired wines.

Halotherapy – which involves spending time in a Himalayan salt cave, breathing in briny air – is said to reduce inflammation and soothe respiratory and skin conditions. But even if you take these claims with a large pinch of the proverbial, chances are you’ll still find a sense of calm at this wellness center on the outskirts of Albany. Ocean sounds, warm blankets and twinkly lights make for a meditative 45 minutes.

If your ideal winter getaway features worn leather armchairs, log fires and mountain views, this lakeside hotel will leave you smitten. It’s a cozy place to return after a day spent skiing at nearby Whiteface Mountain, of 1980 Winter Olympics fame. Keen skiers can even take a lesson with an Olympic medalist. Off the slopes, warm up in the spa’s hot tub and sauna, or treat yourself to a CBD massage or reiki treatment.

Dream of walking in a winter wonderland? Keep your eyes on the weather forecast and make your way to Letchworth State Park after a fresh sheet of snow. This 14,000-acre (5,700ha) expanse of land – split in two by a deep gorge – is littered with waterfalls and forested walking trails. Wrap up warm, grab your snowshoes (or rent some at Humphrey Nature Center in town), and breathe in that crisp, clean air.

Frozen fan? Channel your inner Elsa at Niagara Falls State Park after a flurry of snow. Sure, it’s pretty darn cold, but there are benefits to braving the sub-zero temperatures – fewer tourists, for starters. The immense cascades look incredible surrounded by glittering ice – head to Prospect Point for prime views of the American Falls. If you have time, cross into Canada for an evening at the Winter Festival of Lights where, from November to February, you’ll get the best views of the illuminated falls.