Experience the joy of winter in the Adirondacks, when the mountain region transforms into a playground for winter enthusiasts. From exhilarating snow sports like skiing and snowshoeing to the tranquility of a winter hike, the Adirondacks is the place for a unique winter getaway.
And while you can’t beat this region in the fall, the Adirondacks are also ideal for winter escapes. Visitors can explore Olympic sites, attend one of the nation’s oldest winter carnivals, and sip on a warming cocktail at an ice bar in Lake George. Read on to discover the thrill of the Adirondacks in the winter!
1. Ride the Cloudsplitter Gondola at Whiteface Mountain
Take an unforgettable journey into the heart of the High Peaks on the 15-minute Cloudsplitter Gondola ride at Whiteface Mountain.
Named after the iconic Cloudsplitter peak (also known as Mount Marcy, the Adirondacks’ highest peak), the gondola ascends to the 3,676-foot Little Whiteface summit, offering spectacular views of Lake Champlain, Lake Placid, the Ausable River, and the Adirondacks High Peaks, New York’s tallest mountains. An observation deck at the top provides even more awe-inspiring views of the Adirondack mountains in winter.
2. Take a Winter Hike at Ausable Chasm
Because we have close relatives who live here, Matt and I spend a lot of time in this upstate New York region in all seasons. We know that in the Adirondacks, winter does not always mean snow, especially if it’s early in the season. On a relatively mild day in late December, we visited Ausable Chasm and there wasn’t a snowflake to be seen. And as much as I would have liked to see this dramatic landscape blanketed in snow, it was still a site to behold!
Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks,” Ausable Chasm is a geological marvel made up of vertical canyon walls and 500 million year-old rock. Tourists flock here in the summer for rafting and tubing tours, but a winter visit should not be dismissed. As temperatures drop, the chasm’s rugged cliffs become adorned with icicles, creating intriguing natural ice sculptures.
Winter visitors to Ausable Chasm can take a 2-hour guided tour—wearing snowshoes or ice cleats as needed—that showcases the frozen waterfalls and snow-covered rock formations. On the guided tour, you’ll have access to the Inner Sanctum Trail, which is not accessible on a self-guided tour.
Those on self-guided tours can hike along the 2-mile Rim Walk Trail, stopping at many viewing areas along the way to peer down the steep canyon walls into the churning waters of the Ausable River. For anyone who loves a good winter hike in a dramatic landscape, this is one of the winter activities in the Adirondacks not to be missed!
- Open year-round, 7 days a week
3. View Frozen Waterfalls at High Falls Gorge
Another geological wonder in the Adirondacks is High Falls Gorge, located in the shadow of Whiteface Mountain. Suspended walkways span the gorge, allowing visitors to peer straight down into the crevice formed by the mighty Ausable River a billion years ago. Ancient granite forms the cliffs that rise up from the river and, depending on which trail you follow, you can walk through a forest of untouched hemlock trees and touch Anorthosite boulder, which is similar to moon rock and which clocks in at 1.5 billion years old.
Groomed trails in this 22-acre park offer walks at various difficulty levels and take visitors over suspended bridges, past cascading waterfalls, and across wooded paths surrounded by snow-laden trees. High Falls Gorge in the winter offers a serene escape into the frozen beauty of the Adirondacks.
4. Celebrate the Season at the Adirondack Winter Carnivals
Step into the world of Winter Carnivals in the Adirondacks! When you do, you’ll find exquisite ice sculptures, quirky competitions, and tons of family-friendly activities like sleigh rides, pony rides, and ice skating. At night, bonfires crackle and fireworks illuminate the sky. All of this takes place in the fresh mountain air of the Adirondacks.
Personally, I love winter carnivals because I like to see people celebrating the season, as opposed to hibernating and grumbling about it until signs of spring appear. If you want to witness the spirit of winter in the Adirondacks, check out the winter carnivals that are scheduled for 2024.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
In the late 1800s, unwell individuals came to Saranac Lake for the clean mountain air. One year, the locals put on a carnival to entertain the sick visitors, a carnival that has evolved into ten days of winter events, including ice skating, inner tube races, and volleyball games played deep in the snow.
The main attraction is the massive Ice Palace carved from two-ton blocks of ice. Each year ushers in a new theme (2024’s theme is Creepy Carnival) and a parade showcases elaborate floats and entertainment.
- Dates: February 2-11, 2024
Lake George Winter Carnival
Lake George’s annual Winter Carnival, now in its 62nd year, offers family-friendly winter fun every weekend in February. Activities include Outhouse Races, a Polar Bear Plunge, pony rides, and weekly cook-offs to determine the best local chili, chowder, and chicken wings.
- 2024 Dates: February 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25
Inlet Frozen Fire & Lights
The Inlet Frozen Fire & Lights is held on the last Saturday in February in Inlet. Fuel up for the day with a free pancake breakfast, then partake in cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating, kite decorating, and much more. The event concludes with fireworks at Arrowhead Park at 7 p.m.
- Date: February 24, 2024, Sunrise to Dark
Long Lake Winter Carnival
Everything that makes a winter carnival fun—a Ladies Fry Pan Toss, ice carving, skating, sledding, and evening fireworks—can be found at the Long Lake Winter Carnival, a one-day event in January.
- Date: January 13, 2024
Raquette Lake Winter Carnival
When the lake freezes over, it’s time for a game of Ice Golf! That’s one of the activities you’ll find at this weekend event. More activities include snow dodgeball, a chainsaw competition, and plenty of kid-friendly activities.
- Date: February 17-18, 2024
Indian Lake SnoCade Snowmobile Festival
Count on lots of snowmobile race thrills here, as well as ice carving demonstrations, snowshoe hikes, and good eats from local restaurants.
- Dates: February 17-24, 2024
Brant Lake Winter Carnival
Watch participants vie for $1,000 in prizes during the Outhouse Races, then take in a curling competition, a broomball tournament, and a human foosball game at this daylong winter event.
- Date: February 17, 2024
5. Ski and Sip Craft Beer at Tupper Lake BrewSki
Winter in the Adirondacks requires lots of thirst-quenching beverages, and the Tupper Lake BrewSki offers just that! This annual event celebrates the season by combining the chill of winter with the warmth of community and craft beverages.
After suiting up with cross-country skis or snowshoes, participants follow a 1.5-mile trail–but there’s a twist! Along the way, strategically placed tasting stations offer a chance to savor a variety of craft beers from local breweries, with fire pits at each station to warm you up. Breweries throughout the Adirondacks and beyond participate in Tupper Lake BrewSki, providing a sample of the best beers in New York state.
- Date: February 24, 2024, 12-4 p.m.
- Location: James C. Frenette Sr Recreational Trails, Tupper Lake
- Admission: $30
6. Skate, Ski, and Skeleton on Hallowed Olympic Ground
Our most recent visit to Lake Placid took place during a rainy week between Christmas and New Year’s. We were hoping for a few days of snowy outdoor fun and while that did not transpire, the dreary weather gave us the perfect opportunity to explore the local Olympic sites.
The Lake Placid Olympic Center hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980, forever marking the region as a premier destination for sports enthusiasts. The Olympic Complex, which is scattered across several locations in Lake Placid, isn’t just a historic site as it continues to host various winter sporting events. Tourists can explore several Olympic Legacy Sites:
- Olympic Speed Skating Oval-An outdoor ice skating venue with skating hours open to the public. It’s one of only a few outdoor Olympic rinks still operating in the nation.
- Herb Brooks Arena-The rink where hockey’s Miracle on Ice took place; open for public skating during designated hours.
- Olympic Museum-Offers a fascinating Olympic journey showcasing stories of persistence and triumph. Memorabilia on display includes gold metals, Olympic posters, and ice hockey skates worn by champion athletes.
- Olympic Jumping Complex-Athletes soar through the air during ski jumping competitions. If you time it right, you might even see athletes practicing their jumps while you’re there.
- Mount Van Hoevenburg-This venue has hosted Olympic cross-country skiing, biathlon, bobsledding, and skeleton. It is the ideal spot for cross-country skiing in Lake Placid, or if you prefer, you can experience the thrill of skeleton and bobsledding on the same track used in the Olympics. Guided tours at Mount Van Hoevenburg offer an even deeper dive into the venue and Olympic history.
The Lake Placid Olympic Center stands as a testament to sporting history and winter excellence. And if you’re seeking iconic winter activities in the Adirondacks, look no further!
7. Zip Down the Slopes at Mountain Resorts
Growing up in upstate New York, I spent many winter weekends on the slopes which was, to me, the best way to fall in love with winter. I loved flying down trails—maybe taking a tumble but maybe not—and heading straight back to the chairlift to do it all over again.
Downhill skiing in the Adirondacks is a thrilling experience. It is also the perfect excuse to spend a snowy day outside surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, where skiers will find a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility. Best of all, there are slopes for both seasoned skiers and beginners.
The two most popular Adirondack ski resorts are Whiteface Mountain and Gore Mountain. Whiteface, a prominent ski destination in the region, boasts challenging slopes, including the iconic Olympic trails from the 1980 Winter Games. Whiteface skiers have access to a dozen chairlifts and 90 well-groomed trails. Located 20 miles from Lake Placid, Whiteface attracts tourists and locals all winter long.
The largest ski resort in New York is Gore Mountain. With more than 100 trails and nine, Gore attracts skiers from all over the Northeast and is located in North Creek, just 25 minutes off I-87.
Additional larger Adirondack ski resorts include Titus Mountain in Malone and West Mountain in Queensbury. Oak Mountain in Speculator, Mount Pisgah in Saranac Lake, Snow Ridge in Turin, and Hickory Ski Center in Warrensburg are smaller area ski resorts. Embrace the Adirondacks in winter at a ski resort that suits you!
8. Cross-Country Ski on Snowy Trails
Cross-country skiing is, in my opinion, the best excuse to get outside and appreciate a snowy day. It’s an activity with enough exertion to keep you warm while still being gentle enough to let you absorb and appreciate your surroundings. Cross-country skiing in the Adirondacks blends the thrill of exploration with the tranquility of a peaceful landscape.
Find cross-country trails throughout the Adirondacks, from Saranac Lake to Lake Placid to Inlet and beyond! If snowshoeing is more your style, check out the many Adirondack snowshoe trails, including these snowshoeing trails near Lake George.
9. Plan an Adirondack Winter Weekend Getaway
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Take an unforgettable winter weekend getaway to a charming upstate New York town.
Lake Placid offers a quintessential Adirondack experience, where you can embark on outdoor adventures like skiing at Whiteface Mountain, flying down a toboggan onto frozen Mirror Lake, or exploring the Olympic Center Complex. When some relaxation is in order, retreat to the famed Spa at Mirror Lake Inn for a Maple Sugar Body Scrub or Signature Massage. Book a room at Mirror Lake Inn for a luxurious getaway.
For a change of scenery, head to the picturesque shores of Lake George, just a short drive away. Visit Ice Bars in January and the Winter Carnival in February, and snowshoe, cross-country ski, and snowmobile all winter long! Book a room with a lake view at the Fort William Henry Hotel and dine by the toasty outdoor firepit at the Lakeside Restaurant and Lounge.
If you want your winter getaway to be focused solely on adventure, stay at Garnet Hill Lodge in North Creek, just a 20-minute drive from Gore Mountain. A room at this beautiful Adirondack resort includes access to an extensive trail system and snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals are available. In the evenings, dine at the on-site Log House Restaurant, then cap off your evening next a roaring fire in the main lodge.
Final Thoughts on Winter in the Adirondacks
The best way to beat the winter blues is to immerse yourself in outdoor adventures and breathe in some crisp mountain air. You’ll find opportunities for this around every corner during winter in the Adirondacks. And there’s no better way to unwind after a day of exploring than by cozying up to a crackling fire and anticipating the adventures of another day.
If you’re planning a winter escape to this scenic upstate New York region, prepare to embrace the chill and fall in love with winter in the Adirondacks!
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