Lake Placid, population 4,000, is nestled in the Adirondack mountains of upstate New York. It is best known for the 1980 winter Olympics though it was also the host of the 1932 Olympic winter games. Almost every conceivable outdoor activity is available to the visiting sports enthusiast. Saranac Lake, adjacent to Lake Placid, offers superb cross-country skiing and has both indoor and outdoor ice rinks at the Saranac Lake Civic Center. The area boasts outdoor activities for each season of the year.

The Adirondack hamlet of Saranac Lake is on the edge of the Saranac River. It was internationally famous as a health resort in the age of tuberculosis when it was regarded as a highly contagious disease, one for which there was no known cure. Now the North Country Community College provides training in forestry and medical technology. The town is popular among outdoors people year-around.

Executive Summary

We will depart Caldwell airport on Friday mid afternoon and fly to Saranac Lake Airport where we will have a rental car waiting. We will then drive to Casa del Sol for some excellent Mexican food and Margaritas. We will be staying at a B&B (my favorite is the Fogarty's B&B) just a few miles away where we will play pool and enjoy the evening. On Saturday we will rise early. You will have a choice of either down-hill skiing at Whiteface Mountain or cross-country skiing at one of the several ski touring centers or in the back-country. Saturday night we will dine in Lake Placid and may spend some time shopping (they have several outdoor stores there). Sunday will be a repeat of Saturday except we will depart for home in the afternoon arriving at Caldwell airport in the early evening.

Weather

The summer weather is a few degrees cooler than New Jersey's weather and is often quite pleasant when it is hazy, hot, and humid back home. The winter in the mountain regions can be severe. Winds can come up suddenly and temperatures can drop 30-40 degrees in a matter of hours. Average snowfall in the Adirondacks ranges from 120 inches near Lake Placid to 300 inches near Old Forge. Most of the ski tours are ski-able on 6-9 inches of settled snow. Tours traversing rougher terrain and therefore needing more snow are so indicated.

Downhill Skiing

Whiteface Mountain: The downhill ski area has a vertical drop of 3,216 feet with a 3 mile longest run. There are 67 trails of which all but three have snowmaking. Ten lifts service the lower mountain for beginner skiers. Challenging expert trails, including the men's and women's Olympic downhill runs await you on the upper mountain where the scenery is breathtaking. A variety of trails on Little Whiteface include moguls. Seven double chairs and one triple chair (4,780') usually make the lift lines relatively short. The ski conditions usually are excellent. Ski instruction and ski rentals are available. Sixty-five trails are open to snow boards.

Mount Pisgah: This is a smaller ski area that is lighted at night and has good snowmaking. It is 20 miles from Whiteface and Big Tupper.

Cross-country Ski Tours

(Distance in Miles)

Mt. Van Hoevenberg Cross-country Center: Just 10 minutes from Lake Placid village is a variety of novice, intermediate, and expert loops in a 50-km system. This is excellent for you if you want variety.

Adirondack Loj to Avalanche Lake: The Adirondack Loj has 12 km of trails, two un-groomed telemarking slopes, and direct access to hundreds of miles of trails in the High Peaks Wilderness. A favorite intermediate trail with some exciting climbs and descents starts at the Loj, passes Marcy Dam about 2.5 miles, and then up a to Avalanche Lake. The lake is bounded by 500 foot cliffs with a very strong wind that is funneled by the mountains. An easy mile ski to Lake Colden is a trail with beauty unparalleled.

Paul Smiths: The cross-country ski trails at the Adirondack Visitor Interpretive Center is perfect for the novice and intermediate skier. The 11 miles of circuit trails are quite pleasant and make it easy to return to the center for warmth and rest.

Jackrabbit Trail: The 40-km cross-country trail connects six ski centers linking Lake Placid with Keene and Saranac Lake. It is patterned after the town to town ski trails common in Europe and Scandinavia. Including the back-country trails there are 120 km of skiing possible.

Back Country Trails: There are hundreds of miles of back country skiing along old dirt roads and hiking trails. These roads are not crowded and often you will not spot another person while traversing some of the most beautiful wilderness in the Adirondacks. Maps are available at several of the outdoor stores, ski touring centers, and the Adirondack Mountain Club.

Equipment Rentals

It is possible to rent equipment at Saranac Lake and Lake Placid for both downhill and cross-country skiing. This works well for the beginner though you are welcome to bring equipment with you. Only one pair of skis per person.

Other Awesome Fun

Canoeing: A full day canoe trip begins in town at the canoe rental where you get paddles, life jackets, and a ride to Middle Saranac Lake. The canoe ride crosses half of the lake and goes through a creek to Lower Saranac Lake. At the middle of the lake another passage puts you on Oseetah Lake. You will paddle across this lake which empties into Lake Flower. At the end of Lake Flower you simply pull your canoe out of the water by the B&B and the canoe company will pick up the gear.

Biking: The Saranac Lake region offers some of the most scenic touring in the Adirondack Mountains. Several circuit rides ranging from five miles to 35 miles, from gentle rolling hills to serious mountains can enchant the casual rider and challenge the expert peddler.

Sled Dog Adventures: Dog sledding is an ultimate winter experience and requires you to wear very warm clothes. Dale and Debbie Vaughn in Saranac Lake (518-891-0732) offer a most excellent training seminar and allow you to drive a team of dogs across beautiful frozen lakes. Or, you may sit on the sled and enjoy the ride. Alternatively, contact XTC Horse and Sled Dog Adventures at 518-891-5684.

Snow-shoeing: All of the hiking trails and cross-country ski trails are open to snow-shoeing (hiking is not permitted in many regions when there is snow cover). Equipment rental is available.

Snow-mobiling: There are more than 400 miles of marked snowmobile trails in the region surrounding the Tri-Lakes area.

Winter Carnival: Each year thousands of Adirondack residents and visitors attend the winter festival that includes a 50-foot palace made entirely of ice blocks, sporting events like volley ball in the snow or softball played on snowshoes, professional theater and amateur variety shows, and a gala fireworks display.

Bob Sled and Luge: Across from Mt. Van Hoevenberg is the bob sled and luge courses open to he public. The passenger bobsled ride, offered Tuesdays through Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m., is considered the Champagne of Thrills. You speed down from the half-mile start with a professional driver and brake-man. The luge ride, offered Saturday and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m., is equally exciting because you'll pilot your own sled through the final five turns.

Ice Skating: Is open to the public at the indoor Olympic Center or outdoors on the refrigerated Olympic Oval. Outdoor skating is offered nightly from 7 to 9 p.m. Skate rentals are available at the rink.

Horseback Riding: The Cold River Ranch offers rides ranging from a morning or afternoon to several day treks. You need to be in good riding shape for the longer rides.

What to Bring

Pack the following equipment in a single boot bag or a day pack. Total weight should not exceed 20 pounds. No clothing should be cotton.

This Adventure Includes

The round trip flight from Caldwell airport to Saranac Lake airport is $195. Accommodations are typically $30 per person per night for a B&B which includes breakfast. The per person share of a rental car or van, including gas, is typically about $9 per day. Food is reasonably priced.