Come to the ADK for some winter fun, and stay for the art.
Header image photo credit: Adirondacks, USA Ambassador, Elisabeth Marchbanks
Winter is Hot in the ADK
1.
Don't get caught in the cold
In the Whiteface Region, we relish getting close to the outdoors no matter the season. Winter turns our mountains into a slippery, frost-covered playground for snowshoeing, boarding, skiing, climbing, and fat tire biking. If you’re looking for snow and ice there’s no avoiding the cold, but that doesn’t mean you have to be cold.
2.
Come for the art
The arts and culture scene in Lake Placid is growing and full of world-class entertainment. Winter in Lake Placid is a wonderland, and with the line up of shows this year, dare we say it's an entertainment wonderland? I think so. The Lake Placid Center for the Arts is the hub of the culture scene in Lake Placid, but there are also shows at The Palace Theater, and art galleries throughout town. Almost any night of the week you can find entertainment suited perfectly for your artistic mood.
3.
Cool CATS to hike
Winter is a great time to enjoy the Champlain Area Trails (CATS). They offer a range of outdoor experiences with easy to moderate routes good for cross-country skiing, some short climbs to beautiful views, and extended excursions through forests, fields, and along streams.
The wide variety of CATS trails include wonderful excursions in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness west of Ticonderoga, a lakeside outing along Penfield Pond in Crown Point, a walk across the Champlain Bridge to and from Vermont, a hike to three overlooks on Cheney Mountain in Moriah, the extensive trails at Split Rock Wild Forest in Westport, the amazing views from Wildway Overlook Trail in Essex, a trek along the Boquet River on the Riverside Trail in Willsboro, and explorations of marsh habitat at Wickham Marsh in Chesterfield.
4.
Tips for sledding
There are a lot of great places to snowmobile in the Adirondacks, but Hamilton County has everything a snowmobiler needs — gear, supplies, food, lodging, and a lot of trails. It turns out that seven charming small towns connected to 750 miles of groomed trail adds up to a lot of happy riders.
5.
Ski & Stay for more fun
Winter is here. In the foothills of the Adirondacks, that means lots of things - snowmobiling, snowshoeing, hot cocoa and hot toddies at our local restaurants, and of course, skiing!
I read a great quote the other day: "If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow." I don't know who I should credit that to, but it's a sentiment that resonates in our local area, from upstate New York to Ontario to Quebec (and everywhere in-between).
And what better way to find joy in the snow than to take a ski holiday? Why should you ski and stay in Malone? Glad you asked.
6.
Become a Winter 6er
The Saranac Lake 6ers: Baker, St. Regis, Scarface, Haystack, Ampersand, and McKenzie. You hiked them one-by-one in the summer and marveled at the variety of views they afforded — distant High Peaks and uniquely shaped lakes. So now what? Time to try them in winter, that’s what!
In the Adirondacks, nice summer hikes turn into full-blown adventures in the winter. It’s a beautiful time to be outside, for sure. Ice sculptures stream down sheer cliff faces, baskets of snow collect on pine boughs, and many animals are hunkered down, giving the forest a soft, pleasant quietness. It’s also a more dangerous time to be outdoors because the days are shorter and much, much colder. Sweat-soaked clothes can freeze quickly; moderate pitches become impossibly slick slides of glassy ice. But don’t fret! There are ways to safely deal with these challenges.
7.
For hardwater lovers
It's time to start drilling your holes! Ice fishing season is here to stay. With about a foot of ice in some spots, the season is off to a great start. But where do you set up your tip-ups? There are so many options! In Tupper Lake and Piercefield, we have some of the best fishing holes. You have the opportunity to catch walleye, northern pike, perch, smelt -- the list goes on. Check out where the locals catch their fish.
8.
Shred in Schroon
If you like snowmobiling, you'll love Schroon Lake. Located between Lake George and the Adirondack High Peaks, snowmobilers can find thousands of miles of scenic trails that connect the historic hamlets of the region.
Schroon Lake is perfectly situated to be a basecamp for an array of snowmobiling adventures. There’s a mix of groomed and un-groomed trails to follow, and since many of them connect to each other riders can create their own loops. Stay out for an afternoon, or take several days to hop from town to town. Whatever you choose, you’ll enjoy seeing the beauty of the Adirondacks in winter — quiet forests, ice-covered lakes, and snowy mountains all await. And whether you decide to stay in Schroon or venture into the nearby communities, along the way you’ll find options for lodging, dining, gassing up, getting repairs, and buying or renting gear.