Home |
| Back Issues |
| Message Boards |
| Calendar of Events |
| Race Results |
| Current Weather |
Advertise |
| Free Issue |
| Subscribe |
| Distributors |
| About Us |
AROUND THE REGION / NEWS BRIEFS
Lake
Placid Loppett Cross-Country Ski Race
Hudson
Mohawk Winter Running Series
Skiers
Thankful for Early Snow
Adirondack
International Mountainfest
New
York State Ski & Ride Programs
Jones
Outfitters to Move Across Town
Vermont
Ski Areas
Winter
Activities for Healthy Heart
Lake Placid Loppet Cross-Country Ski Race
The 19th Annual Lake Placid Loppet will be held January 27, 2001, on the Olympic cross-country ski trails at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. It’s part of the American Ski Marathon Series. The Loppet is a 50K race for both classical and freestyle skiers. There is also a 25K ski race, the Kort-Loppet, for both classical and freestyle skiers. The course is designed for Olympic competition so it is more challenging than most citizen races. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each class. To register, visit www.orda.org or call (518) 523-1655 ext. 248.
Hudson Mohawk Winter Running Series
The Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club (HMRRC) Winter Series starts December 17 at 10am, with the Starter 5K & 15K races. The following races are: January 1 at 12noon, Hangover Half Marathon, Sober-Up 5K run/walk & kids 1M run; January 14 at 10am, 5K, 10K & 25K races; January 28 at 10am, 5K, 15K & 30K races; and February 11 at 10am, 4M, 10M, or 20M races. All races start and finish near the Physical Education Building of the State University at Albany. For information visit www.hmrrc.com.
Skiers Thankful for Early Snow
The region’s alpine and nordic ski centers are hoping that their luck will improve this season with early snow for the first time in three years. The cold weather has allowed downhill ski areas to make snow consistently since mid-November, and many have or will be opening on schedule with a variety of terrain.
On November 25, Gore Mountain and Whiteface were both open for the season. Gore had 2 lifts and 5 trails open with a packed powder surface and base depth of 6-16 inches. Snowmaking is in progress. Whiteface had 4 lifts and 7 trails open with a packed powder surface and base depth of 12-24 inches. They received 10 inches of new snow in the last week and snowmaking is in progress.
As of November 25, the three largest cross-country ski centers in the Adirondacks: Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, Lapland Lake in Northville, and Garnet Hill in North River, all had a few inches of snow but we’re waiting for additional accumulation before opening. They each reported base depths from 1-3 inches on trails that had been rolled, but are not officially open.
On November 25, the following backcountry conditions exist – snow depth at Lake Colden: 12 inches, snow depth at 4,000 feet: 12+ inches, with powder surface conditions. The Whiteface Mountain highway has 4 inches at the Toll Booth with up to 12 inches near the top. The Marcy Dam Truck Trail from South Meadows has 4-6 inches of snow and is skiable. Skiers will have to step around a few rocks, but it is skiable to Marcy Dam. Fish Pond Truck Trail and Newcomb Lake Road are also skiable.
Be sure to check out the updated weather and trail condition reports directly from the Adirondacks every morning, including alpine and cross country ski centers and backcountry conditions.
Adirondack International Mountainfest
The Mountaineer and Adirondack Rock and River have teamed up again to host the fifth Adirondack International Mountaineering Festival in Keene Valley and Keene. The two-day fest will be on Martin Luther King weekend, January 13-14, 2001. It’s a non-profit event that will benefit the Adirondack Land Trust, The Access Fund, and the local search and rescue fire departments.
Internationally and regionally renowned mountaineers will instruct clinics and courses on all levels of ice, mixed and alpine climbing, avalanche awareness, expedition planning, backcountry skiing and snowshoeing, mountain and high altitude medicine. In addition, several of the event’s product sponsor’s will provide demo booths, crampons, and ice axes for the participants to test and climb with. Organizers want to keep the event small and will only accept advanced reservations for the clinics. For information call (518) 576-2281 or visit www.mountaineer.com.
New York State Ski & Ride Programs
The Learn to Ski 1·2·3 program teaches beginners to downhill ski, snowboard or cross-country ski. Participants can start downhill skiing or riding for $79.95 or cross-country skiing for $49.95. The package includes three full days at more than 30 New York ski areas; lessons, lift tickets, rentals, and $1,000 in discount certificates. Contact the ski area of your choice to purchase the package and make a lesson reservation.The 4th Graders Ski & Ride 4 FREE program is back again this season. Fourth graders from anywhere can ski free any day when accompanied by an adult at one of more than 30 New York ski areas when they receive a 4th Graders Ski & Ride 4 FREE passport. Check out www.44free.com for details and passport application form. For both programs, skiers must start by March 1, 2001 and the following dates are excluded: December 23 – January 2, January 13-15, and February 17-25. For information call (800) CALL NYS or visit www.iloveny.com.
Jones Outfitters to Move Across Town
Jones Outfitters in Lake Placid, a canoe outfitter and the oldest Orvis store in the country, is moving to the other end of town. Beginning December 1, they will be splitting the main floor of High Peaks Cyclery at 331 Main Street. “We’ll have two outfitters at one location with great parking. It’ll be a great marriage” stated long-time store owners, Don and Georgia Jones.
They’ll keep their waterfront location by establishing Mirror Lake Boat Rentals behind Ben & Jerry’s on Main Street. Customers can still demo a canoe before they purchase, and car-topper boat rentals will be available. High Peaks Cyclery offers bikes, skis, and backcountry gear. High Peaks Mountain Adventures guide service offers backcountry & telemark skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, adventure treks, classic climbs, and classes including cross-country ski lesson tours, winter mountaineering, and map & compass.
Vermont Ski Areas
Visit www.skivermont.com a one-stop information center for the Vermont ski areas. The site features snow conditions, resort facts, lodging, news, events, and links to each of the alpine and cross-country ski areas.
Winter Activities for a Healthy Heart
For many exercise enthusiasts, particularly among walkers and hikers, the first snowfall of the season generally signals the end of their outdoor workouts. Not so fast, says Kathy Varney, coordinator of the Warren-Washington County Healthy Heart Program (HHP). "Winter is a perfect time to layer up, get outside and fill your lungs with that invigorating arctic air," said Varney. "Some winter activities like snowshoeing actually burn more calories and increase muscle quicker than walking."
To help people maintain the Surgeon General’s recommended 30 minutes of daily moderate physical activity during the winter months, HHP and the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) have assembled two free brochures on local places perfect for outdoor activities. HHP’s Get Moving brochure provides health tips and year-round outdoor activities for the whole family. ADK’s Walks in the Lake George Region brochure includes suggested local trials that are ideal for walking or snowshoeing.
To obtain one of these brochures or for information about other outdoor activities, call Kathy Varney at 926-5906 for the HHP’s Get Moving brochure and/or ADK at 668-4447 for their new Walks in the Lake George Region brochure.
Copyright© 2000 Adirondack Sports & Fitness. All Rights Reserved.