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Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
in the Lake Placid, New York Region
Adding up all the cross-country trails
in and around Lake Placid, NY reveals that the region stands as a major
cross-country destination with 455 km of trails. Foremost is the
Olympic Sports Complex complex (518-523-2811, www.orda.org), site
of the Nordic and biathlon races during the 1980 Olympics. For a full
page of info click Olympic Sports Complex.
It has cross-country skiing you are unlikely to find elsewhere: 50 km
of marked trails that average 15 ft. wide, regularly groomed and patrolled;
bridges built especially for cross-country skiers so you don’t
have to worry about traffic; snowmaking (5 km); and emergency phones.
The complex has 10 marked loops offering one expert, six intermediate
and three novice tours with additional expert skiing on the Porter Mountain
racing loops. The Fresh Tracks program offers specialized ski experiences
such as biathlon, Tai Chi, women only, skiing with kids, etc. CCSAA
member
The JackRabbit Trail (518-523-1365, www.lakeplacid.com/) is a 60 km public ski trail that runs from Keene through Lake Placid and Saranac Lake to Paul Smiths. There are four cross-country ski centers (Verizon Sports Complex, Cascade XC Center, Lake Placid Resort, and Whiteface Club Nordic Center) and two wilderness areas along the trail. The Adirondack Ski Touring Council administers the trail. There is a trail fee required only for the groomed sections of the trail that correspond with the four cross-country ski centers.
The Barkeater Inn
(800-232-1607, www.barkeater.com) in Keene, NY has 20 km of groomed
trails through meadows and woodlands at a former working farm located
in the heart of the Adirondack Park. The Barkeater Inn is located off
of Route 73 between Lake Placid and Keene. Be sure to meet Joe-Pete
Wilson, the inn's host, who is an industry icon that is sure to tell
a few of his old yarns! CCSAA member
The Lake Placid Resort (518-523-2556, www.lpresort.com) has 25 km of trails and connects with the more secluded Jackrabbit Trail (ski conditions: 518-523-1365): 50 km that run from Keene through Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.
Cascade Cross Country Center, Lake Placid (518-523-9605, www.cascadeski.com) This is an area that has 25 km of groomed trails. CCSAA member
Snowshoeing trails crisscross the entire High Peaks Wilderness area—get maps and advice at the local Eastern Mountain Sports Store on Lake Placid’s Main Street or head to the Dewey Mt. Ski Center that offers snowshoe trails in addition to cross-country skiing. For a more controlled snowshoe experience complete with bonfires to roast marshmallows and educational stops on the trail, stop at the High Falls Gorge center. Here you can follow a marked trek around the Ausable River gorge and be welcomed back with complimentary hot chocolate or coffee. Just south of Whiteface, High Falls Gorge is something different for families. Reservations recommended on weekends (518-946-2278).
