Home |
| Back Issues |
| Message Boards |
| Calendar of Events |
| Race Results |
| Current Weather |
Advertise |
| Free Issue |
| Subscribe |
| Distributors |
| About Us |
Cross-Country Ski Areas in the Adirondacks
By Darryl Caron
You can glide on cross-country skis in a beautiful winter landscape throughout the Adirondack region, where an extensive network of trails offers an unlimited variety of terrain and scenery. The sport provides great exercise and is something the whole family can enjoy. Basic skills can be learned quickly, and most cross-country ski centers offer rentals and lessons. Plus, trail fees are generally low and many trails in parks are free.
A couple of New York's premier cross-country ski areas are nestled in the Adirondacks, Lapland Lake in Northville and Garnet Hill in North River. Lake Placid is home to world-class skiing at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, one of the most famous nordic ski centers in the country. Northwest of Utica in Redfield, Salmon Hills, on the Tug Hill Plateau receives nearly 200 inches of snow during the season. The Capital-Saratoga region has wonderful skiing at Pineridge in East Poestenkill, Tree Haven Trails in Hagaman, and Oak Hill Farms in Esperance.
Alpine ski areas, such as Gore Mountain, also have extensive cross-country trails so downhill and cross-country skiers can enjoy different sports at the same location. Most cross-country ski areas now have snowshoeing trails and rentals, call for information. If you have a young child, ask about pulk sled rentals that allow you to easily and safely ski while pulling your toddler along. With a friend, your family, or by yourselfÄyou can enjoy a fun winter and incredible scenery.
In the northern Adirondacks, Mt. Van Hoevenberg was constructed for the 1980 Olympics and has been the site of numerous national and international competitions. The 50 kilometers (km) of trails, averaging 18 feet in width, are groomed daily with classic set tracks and skating lanes for novice through expert skiers. The ski area links to the Jackrabbit Trail System that interconnects with several other ski centers offering a total of 120 km of groomed ski trails and hundreds of km of backcountry skiing! Mt. Van Hoevenberg receives 100+ inches of snow per year and has snowmaking capabilities. The lodge has a ski shop, wax rooms, Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) ski school lessons daily, equipment rentals, food and drinks. Kids ski school and playroom programs. Open daily; trail fee $12. Call (518) 523-2811 or visit www.orda.org.
In Lake Placid, Cascade Cross-Country Center has 20 km of trails with set track, a lodge with a ski shop, lessons, rentals, guided tours, food and drink, and bunkroom lodging. Full-moon parties. Open daily with night skiing on Saturdays; trail fee $7. Call (518) 523-9605 or visit www.cascadeski.com. The Lake Placid Nordic Center, located on the Lake Placid Resort's two golf courses, has 20 km of trails with set track, a lodge, instruction, rentals, food, drinks, and ice-skating. Open daily; trail fee $10. Call (518) 523-2556, ext. 474, or visit www.lpresort.com.
The Whiteface Club in Lake Placid has 20 km of groomed trails for classic and skating, a lounge, instruction, rentals, food, drinks, and lodging. Open Tuesday—Sunday; trail fee $8. Call (518) 523-2551 or visit www.whitefaceclub.com. The Adirondack Loj, operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), offers 15 km of trails on its property, which adjoins many miles of trails in the High Peaks wilderness. You can warm up at the High Peaks Information Center, where rentals, outdoor gear, food, and drinks are available. Lodging is available at the Adirondack Loj. Open daily; parking fee $7. Call (518) 523-3441 or visit www.adk.org.
In nearby Keene, The Bark Eater, one of the first cross-country ski areas in the United States, has 20 km of trails (10 km groomed). Services include instruction, rentals, food, and drinks, lodging, and ice-skating. Open daily; trail fee $12. Call for trail conditions (518) 576-2221. Visit www.barkeater.com. Dewey Mountain Recreation Center in Saranac Lake has 15 km of groomed trails, with a warming hut, instruction, rentals, guided tours, food, and drinks. Open daily, night skiing Tuesday-Friday; free. Call (518) 891-1990 or visit www.saranaclake.com.
In Paul Smiths, the Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Center has 15 km of trails for skiing and snowshoeing. You can warm up in the building. Open daily; free. Call (518) 327-3000 or visit www.northnet.org/adirondackvic/. In Tupper Lake, The Wawbeek on Upper Saranac Lake has 25 km of trails with warming facilities, rentals, food, drinks, lodging, sledding and ice skating. Open daily; free. Call (518) 359-2656 or visit www.wawbeek.com. Located 12 miles south of Plattsburgh, Ausable Chasm Cross-Country Ski Center has 26 km of trails, warming facilities, instruction, and rentals. Trail fee $4. Call (518) 834-7454.
In the southeastern Adirondacks, Garnet Hill Cross Country Ski Center in North River is rated as "one of the ten best XC ski resorts in North America" by Snow Country magazine. It has 55 km of trails for all abilities that are groomed daily with set tracks and skating lanes. At 2,000 feet, Garnet Hill receives over 100 inches of snowfall per season and has snowmaking capabilities. There is access to over 100 km of backcountry skiing. Services include a ski shop with rentals, sales and repairs, PSIA ski school lessons daily, guided tours, restaurant, and lodging. Ask about their unique 4-mile "ski down and ride back" shuttle bus! Open daily with night skiing; trail fee $6-13. Call (518) 251-2150 or visit www.garnet-hill.com.
In North Creek, Cunningham's Ski Barn has 40 km of trails (25 km groomed), with warming lodge, instruction, rentals, and guided tours. Open daily; trail fee $7-10. Call (518) 251-3215 or visit www.cunninghamsskibarn.com. Gore Mountain alpine ski area has 13 km of trails (some groomed); the main base lodge has a cafeteria, and lessons, rentals, and guided tours are available. Open daily; trail fee $8. Call (518) 251-2411 or visit www.goremountain.com. In Chestertown, Friends Lake Inn has 32 km of groomed trails for all abilities with set tracks and skating lanes. Lessons and rentals are available, as well as dining and overnight accommodations. Open daily; trail fee $12. Call (518) 494-4751 or visit www.friendslake.com.
In the southern Adirondacks, Lapland Lake Cross-Country Ski Center in Northville has been dubbed "...one of the finest areas around" by Cross Country Skier magazine. It has 50 km of trails for all ability levels: 38 km snowcat groomed daily with set tracks and skating lanes, and 12 km ungroomed backcountry ski trails. Lapland receives approximately 150 inches of snowfall per season, and hosts many special events. Services include warming lodge with rental and retail shops, wax room, PSIA ski instruction, snack bar, restaurant, and lodging. Domesticated reindeer family! Open daily with night skiing Friday-Saturday; trail fee $6-13. Call (518) 863-4974 or visit www.laplandlake.com.
In the southwestern Adirondacks, Fern Park Recreation Area in Inlet has 50 km of trails (22 km groomed) for every level of skier, with a warming hut, rentals, and ice-skating available. Open daily with night skiing; free. Call (315) 357-5501 or visit www.inletny.com. In Old Forge, McCauley Mountain alpine ski area has 20 km of groomed trails with instruction, rentals, guided tours, food, and drinks. Open Monday and Wednesday-Sunday; trail fee $6. Call (315) 369-3225 or visit www.oldforgeny.com. In Old Forge, Adirondack Woodcraft Ski Touring Center has 12 km of groomed trails, a warming hut, and rentals. Open weekends, holidays, and nights; $3. Call (315) 369-6031.
In the Capital-Saratoga region, Pineridge Cross-Country Ski Area in East Poestenkill is the largest ski center in the Albany area. They have 43 km of trails (33 km groomed), a warming lodge with ski rentals, sales, lessons, guided tours, food, and drinks. Ask about their senior and weekday specials; Thursday is family night. Open daily and nights Wednesday-Thursday; trail fee $8-10. Call (518) 283-3652 or visit www.xcski.org/pineridge. In Averill Park, Burden Lake Country Club has 10 km of trails (5 km groomed), a warming house, instructions, food, and drinks. Call (518) 674-8917 or visit www.burdenlake.com.
In the Leatherstocking region, Tree Haven Trails (AKA Bob's Trees) in Hagaman has great family skiing on 40 km of groomed trails with a warming lodge, lessons, rentals, food, and drinks. Open daily and nights Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday; trail fee $4-7. Call (518) 882-9455 or visit www.bobstrees.com. In Esperance, Oak Hill Farms has just added new trails for a total of 30 km (25 km groomed) with a day lodge, instructions, rentals, food, and drinks. Open daily; trail fee $8-9. Call (518) 875-6700. In Gloversville, Artic Circle Ski Center has 24 km of groomed trails, a warming hut, and rentals available. Open daily; trail fee $8-10. Call (518) 725-7699.
On the Tug Hill Plateau, Salmon Hills Resort in Redfield has 35 km of extra wide trails for all abilities that are groomed daily with set tracks and skating lanes. Located in a natural snow belt, services include a main lodge, ski shop with rentals, lessons, guided tours, a restaurant, and lodging. Open daily and nights Friday-Sunday; trail fee $10-12. Call (888) 976-SNOW, (315) 599-4003, or visit www.salmonhillsxcskiresort.com.
Located 24 miles north of Utica, the Alder Creek Country Inn has 21 km of trails (14 km groomed), a warming hut, lessons, rentals, a restaurant, and lodging. Open Friday-Sunday; trail fee $4. Call (315) 831-5222. In Utica, Val Bialis alpine ski area offers cross-country skiing on Saturday-Sunday; nights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; trail fee $3-5. Call (315) 792-0100.
Visit the Cross Country Ski Areas Association for more information on U.S. and Canadian ski centers, products, and snow reports. Whether your preference is classic skiing or skate skiing—enjoy the winter!
Copyright© 2000 Adirondack Sports & Fitness. All Rights Reserved.