Where can mom, dad and two 20 somethings go for a few days for winter break? We'd like a place in the country not too far away with nice food and a lake for skating. Alwo chesnuts roasting in an openfire, and like that.

Try the Nevele Resort up in Ellenville, NY. 2+ hours away off Rte. 17. Great big outdoor skating rink, ski slope and tubing, indoor tennis, indoor pool, health club.....newly renovated.

check out www.nevele.com

If you're up to driving a little distance, think about Lake Placid. It's a little over 5 hours from NYC. Just about every winter activity you can think of - skiing (downhill and X-C), skating indoors and out, tobagganing, Olympic venues, snowshoeing, dogsledding, etc. Some excellent restaurants and first-class hotels, especially the Mirror Lake Inn. You can get more info at www.lakeplacid.com. Enjoy!

Lake George.

I,too, heard Lake George was really nice and also good reviews from Lake Placid. If you are willing to drive a bit further- Central Vermont (just east of the Green Mtn range) will give you a fairy tale of a weekend.