Snowshoeing in the Adirondacks

One of the easiest ways to enjoy fresh mountain snow is by snowshoeing. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. It’s a great activity for an off-slope rest day, or any day, along established, well-groomed trails or making your own tracks through the woods.

Here’s how and where to snowshoe in the Adirondacks:

Adirondack Park comprises 6.2 million protected acres in upstate New York, nearly half of which is state-owned land, accessible to everyone. There are flat trails, lower-elevation hikes, cross country ski trails, golf courses, mountain bike trails, along with trails that skirt local villages, all with convenient snowshoe opportunities throughout the region.

Trails are often multi-purpose, allowing visitors to snowshoe, walk, hike, or XC ski. There also are challenging trails throughout the Adirondacks for those who prefer to test their skills; and snowshoes are recommended, if not required, for those hiking many of the region’s mountains.

One well-known and popular trail in the region, the Jackrabbit Trail, is a 50-kilometer gem.  It begins in Keene and meanders through Lake Placid and Saranac Lake to Paul Smiths, connecting with four ski centers and several backcountry routes along the way.

There are many other trails throughout the region, along lakes, climbing low-elevation mountains, and through charming and historic towns and villages. The CATS trails, on the eastern edge of the Adirondacks, allows visitors to take in breathtaking views of the high peaks to the west and Lake Champlain to the east.

Some hotels and resorts have snowshoes available for guests’ use on their own trails, or on nearby trails. Lapland Lake Vacation Center in Northville has 12 kilometers of trails specifically designated for snowshoeing, with equipment available for guests. Lake Clear Lodge is a 25 acre property with miles of groomed trails that lead to the Jackrabbit Trail and other backcountry adventures.

The Dewey Mountain Recreation Center in Saranac Lake, Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, and the Cascade Welcome Center in Lake Placid, offer snowshoe rentals, as do many local outdoor sports outfitters.  The Adirondack Interpretive Centers in Newcomb and Paul Smiths and The Wild Center in Tupper Lake offer snowshoes for visitors. Even some local town libraries offer snowshoes as part of a program to encourage outdoor adventure.

Check out these snowshoe events throughout the region in February and March:

Feb. 4^th – The Adirondack Mountain Club offers an introductory program entitled Backcountry Snowshoeing for Beginners in Lake Placid for those who want to take their skills into the Adirondack wilderness. The course enhances participants’ understanding of equipment, techniques and safety considerations needed to snowshoe on any terrain.

Feb. 19^th – The Adirondack Snowshoe Fest in Saranac Lake builds on the success of the World Snowshoe Championships in 2017. Festivities are throughout Saranac Lake, with 5k, 10k and 15k snowshoe races at Paul Smith’s Visitors Interpretive Center and Dewey Mountain.

Feb. 25^th –  In Tupper Lake, visitors can take part in one of the community’s most popular events – the Tupper Lake BrewSki. Participants can ski or snowshoe along the beautifully maintained James C. Frenette Sr. Recreational Trails to different stations along the route. Breweries from around the region will be on hand to pour samples as participants gather and mingle by fire pits located at each brew station. Noon to 4 p.m.

Also, Great Camp Santanoni in Newcomb is hosting “winter weekends” in February and March, offering group snowshoeing or cross-country skiing to the great camp where participants can enjoy and learn more about its history.

Taking part in any winter outdoor activity in the Adirondacks requires preparation, no matter your physical ability, activity or destination, for an enjoyable and safe experience. Learn more about winter preparedness, including some important tips, on the official New York State Department of Conservation website.

See also the Seniors Skiing article on what’s new this season at New York State ski/snowboard resorts.  https://www.seniorsskiing.com/whats-new-this-season-new-york-state/

The Adirondack Mountains offer some of the best opportunities for outdoor recreation in a beautiful, natural setting, all within a day’s drive for 25% of the entire North American population. Winter weather, spectacular scenery, a snowy backdrop, the love of winter, and taking part in a new outdoor activity is enough to make anyone an outdoor enthusiast in the Adirondacks. Whether snowshoeing along the region’s trails, along a lake or taking part in a regional event, the region offers many opportunities to embrace snowshoeing in the Adirondacks.

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Hamilton and Essex counties, including the communities of Lake Placid, Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York state.