Winter Carnival is what happens when you take Saranac Lake and throw it into a cauldron, sprinkle in a clever theme, and boil it down until all that’s left is a sweet syrup of feisty good humor. When Winter Carnival is on you can’t walk through downtown, let alone buy a cup of coffee, without hearing “Happy Carnival!” at least five times. It’s like your favorite holiday and your birthday and the most entertaining show you’ve ever seen combined and stretched into a ten-day event in the middle of winter, and it's definitely the most fun you’ve ever had in the cold.

In the colder seasons, the Adirondacks become a winter wonderland filled with countless opportunities for outdoor adventure and indoor fun. Winter is the ideal time to bring the family to try out winter sports for the first time or to hone those cross-country ski skills. It's also great to be indoors, especially after a day of playing in the snow. Either way, the family will have plenty to do here. Below are some suggestions for family or group activities that are fun for all ages.

Staring down from the top of a mountain was not something I ever pictured myself doing on a crisp Friday morning with temperatures in the teens. But, there I was, perched at the top and ready to glide down on a pair of downhill skis.

This is not a completely accurate picture, though. I was at the top of the bunny hill at Gore Mountain, and I was learning to ski. I convinced a friend — who like me is terrified of speeding down a steep and snowy mountain — to try out alpine skiing. I wanted to try skiing because I wanted to test my mettle. I wanted to build confidence. I wanted to try something completely outside my repertoire of knowledge. I can now claim that skiing is amazing and that everyone, yes everyone, should try it. But, first take a lesson.