Ways that YOU Can Be an #adkcoast “Winter Enthusiast”

Our winter wonderland attracts thousands of visitors each year as they seek out opportunities to explore our stunning region and participate in some of their favorite activities - which aren’t difficult to “track” down, particularly during our winter months!

When temperatures “drop it like it’s cold” (so to speak), the Adirondack Coast’s thousands of miles of groomed and natural trails welcome adventure from all angles and elevations. Big vertical, fresh snow and short lines combine to provide some of the east’s best skiing and riding, inviting travelers to try their feet at downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowboarding and snowshoeing!

Maybe you’re wondering, what does an #adkcoast “winter enthusiast” look like?

Well, it’s not so much a “look”, but a state of mind. That isn’t to say you can’t get your hands on some great quality gear to support your adventurous pursuits; rather, possessing certain skills will help any visitor better appreciate what our area has to offer.

‍To get the most out of your winter getaway...

• ‍Bundle up: Dress for success! And by that we mean: layer up. There are several local retailers, like Maui North in downtown Plattsburgh, Viking Ski and Cycle on Route 3 and stores throughout Champlain Centre Mall, offering safety and outdoor gear to help you rival the elements, whatever your choice of winter activity. ‍

• Check the weather: Know what you’re up against for the day! Our regional snow report provides up-to-date details on temperatures and expected snowfall so you’re always prepared.‍

• Connect with a guide: If you want an insider’s perspective on how to make the most of your winter outdoor explorations, partner with a guide. Local experts offer unique recommendations and winter wisdom so that you have the best (and safest) experience.‍

• Study up: If you’re not a seasoned pro, you’ll need to do some research before you hit the slopes or trails. Maybe this means taking a beginner lesson or two first - many of our winter sports destinations offer introductory courses for skiing and snowboarding in particular.‍

• Stay safe and neighborly: It’s not uncommon for back-country skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers to share trails - be alert as you explore!
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Here are some tips for where to go and what to see as you embrace your #adkcoast winter “outdoor enthusiast” persona.

‍5 outdoor winter activities to get you moving on freshly-powdered #adkcoast trails.

• Skiing  |  From cross-country to back-country and downhill, the Adirondack Coast offers something for every kind of skier, with a wide range of natural terrain and elevation options to choose from.
  

• Snowboarding  |  Cruise through well-groomed trails and terrain parks mastering your technique and trying tricks! 
  

• Snowmobiling  |  Rev that engine and kick your winter getaway into the next gear when you explore our winding, secluded back-country trails by snowmobile.  Check out the New York State Snowmobiling Guide for a beginner’s introduction to the sport, starting with registration.
  

• Snowshoeing  |  Stroll through our white-dusted wilderness on rolling or flat terrain by snowshoe, surrounded by frozen rivers, lakes and breathtaking mountains.
  
  
• Ice Fishing  |  With so many rivers, streams and lakes, fishing in the Adirondacks is a year-round sport.‍

Action-packed winter sports centers the whole gang will enjoy!

• Beartown Ski Area  |  Just 10 minutes from Plattsburgh, Beartown Ski Area has evolved throughout the years into a multi-use destination inspiring the season’s energetic outdoor spirit! This is a unique venue with beginner cross-country skiing and snowshoeing experiences surrounding a 150-ft. vertical drop.
  

• Titus Mountain Family Ski Center  |  For 6 decades, family-friendly Titus Mountain in Malone, NY has hosted guests of all ages, offering skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Small enough to find your way around, but big and uncrowded enough to search out your perfect terrain, beginners will appreciate Titus’ snow sports school in particular. Don’t forget to make a sweet stop at the on-site sugar shack, Moon Valley Maple!
  

• Whiteface Mountain  |  Known for “the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies”, Whiteface Mountain encourages visitors to ride the same trails as Olympic racers, with one-third of the total 87 requiring “expert” skill level. Not feeling quite that daring? There’s plenty to do apart from riding. Catch an alpenglow sunrise, enjoy a gondola ride or grab a cozy meal at one of 6 on-site restaurants.

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Natural Adirondack Coast winter wonders to inspire awe at any age.

• Ausable Chasm  |   Strap on some snowshoes or ice cleats and explore the snow-covered “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks” with gigantic icicles overhead - call ahead to reserve a tour guide!
  

• High Falls Gorge  |  Beginning in January, explore this 22-acre nature park, crossing frozen bridges and passing miraculous frozen waterfalls along groomed pathways.

Outdoor recreation destinations to heat up your winter sports getaway.

• Ausable Point Campground & Day Use Area (3346 Lakeshore Drive, Peru) I Typically a sandy, summer beach hot spot, visitors will be pleased to stumble into a peaceful, snowy escape with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities for the whole squad during non-operational winter months. In fact, this is the time to catch the area’s wildlife in action - don’t forget your binoculars!
  

• Chazy Lake (DEC Boat Launch, Route 374, Dannemora) I Bundle up in your winter gear and head to Chazy Lake for a traditional ice fishing experience! Stocked with thousands of trout and a couple hundred salmon, this is a great place for newbies to “break the ice” with their winter fishing skills. All jokes aside, brush up on safety guidelines first, and remember: anyone fishing over the age of 16 needs a license.
  

• Lyon Mountain (Chazy Lake Road, Lyon Mountain) I Make like the locals and back-country ski or snowshoe up the Adirondack Coast’s tallest mountain! At 3,830 ft., this is a challenging climb any time of year - but one with unforgettable 360-degree views of New York, Vermont and Quebec.
  

• New Land Trust (236 Plumadore Road, Saranac) I Founded in the ‘70s by a group of area students as a way to model, support and encourage sustainable relationships with our natural surroundings, 287-acre New Land Trust in Saranac, NY now offers explorers 20 varied trail options and picturesque sites like a classic Adirondack lean-to and bunkhouse. This is a favorite of birdwatchers!
  

• Point au Roche State Park (19 Camp Red Cloud Road, Plattsburgh) I Glide across Lake Champlain and "walk on water" in coves surrounded by endless opportunities for skiing, hiking, snowshoeing and more at this winter outdoor rec paradise. With 856 acres to explore, your whole group is in for an adventure.

What do you say? Ready to experience the variety of our white-blanketed wonderland?