Photo courtesy of adirondacksusa.com
Winter in the Adirondacks is one of the most festive and beautiful times of the year. The 6.1 million-acre region in upstate New York is comprised of 5,000- foot mountains, glacial lakes, towering pine forests, a seemingly endless system of recreation trails and quaint towns and villages. And when the snow falls, a foundation is created for outdoor recreation and winter-inspired events.
From December through April, revelers find ways to celebrate and play in the snow with traditional pursuits like downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, pond hockey and ice fishing. Unique activities include riding a toboggan down a 30-foot high slide, competing in a cardboard sledding race and watching fireworks set above a colorfully-lit palace made entirely from two-ton bricks of ice.
After a day of skiing at one of the five downhill ski centers or riding on a dogsled on Mirror Lake while soaking up the views of the nearby High Peaks, enjoy a hearty meal at one of the brew pubs. End the day in front of a fire by your cabin in the woods or at a full-service resort.
Photo courtesy of adirondacksusa.com
This winter, the Adirondacks have a season packed with events, from winter carnivals to international sporting competitions. Whiteface Mountain and Gore Mountain ski areas have increased their snowmaking. Titus Mountain Family Ski Center put the finishing touches on their ski-in/ski-out cabins and Oak Mountain is celebrating its 70th year with a party! Don’t miss some of these upcoming events:
- Jan. 6-11 — International Children’s Games: Watch children from around the world compete in eight winter sports; free to watch and includes an opening ceremony with a contemporary circus.
- Jan. 19 — Long Lake Winter Carnival with cardboard box sledding, broomball, fireworks, bonfires and more.
- Feb. 1–10 — Saranac Lake Winter Carnival: Parades, fireworks, a gigantic ice palace, quirky outdoor competitions and more.
- Feb. 2 — The Northern Challenge Fishing Derby: With over a thousand fishermen, one of the largest derbies in New York. Includes cash prizes and four-wheeler giveaways.
- Feb. 15-23 — Indian Lake Snocade includes guided snowmobile rides, fireworks, outdoor human foosball and much more.
- Feb. 23 — Frozen Fire & Lights Festival in Inlet: Snowmobile races, fireworks, sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.