Five Reasons I Love Adirondack Winters
From frozen lakes and snow-covered trails to mountain towns worth the winter drive
When I’m looking for a true Adirondack winter experience, these are the places I return to. They offer everything I love about the season — hiking on snow, snowshoeing, nordic skiing and moments to pause and soak in the incredible mountain scenery and stillness.
I’m excited to introduce my new series, Beyond the Comfort Zone — a place where I’ll be sharing adventures and stories that stretch our limits and test our comfort zones. For me, choosing challenge as the years add up is how I stay sharp, stay connected to the outdoors, and keep moving forward with purpose.
Here are just five of my favorite Adirondack places — and the things I love to do in each — that push my comfort zone every winter, whether that means hiking into icy gorges, skiing on the famous Jack Rabbit Trail or embracing the stillness when striding on a snowy trail.
1. Saranac Lake — the ice capital of the Adirondacks
Winter has long shaped the identity of Saranac Lake, earning it a reputation as the ice capital of the Adirondacks. Once known for its historic ice harvesting industry, the village continues to celebrate the season today with an annual winter carnival each February.
What draws me to this small town is its ideal location — easy access to snowshoeing and winter hiking trails, extensive cross-country trail networks, and local downhill skiing. Once I’ve had my fill of cold air, I love rushing back into downtown Saranac Lake to grab a coffee, browse a few galleries and find a good place to eat. It’s an easy, comfortable way to round out a winter day in the mountains.
Beyond the comfort zone — a hike to the snowy summit of the St Regis Mountain. A few years ago, we hiked to St Regis on Easter Sunday. The weather was perfect. We needed our snowshoes towards the end of this 7 mile round trip hike. Expect a steady and quiet climb of about 1,600 feet. The reward is a sweeping 360-degree view over frozen lakes and endless peaks— one of the most iconic cold-season perspectives in the Adirondacks.
Trip Resources
The Jackrabbit Trail (see information below)
Downhill Grill in Saranac Lake
The Blue Moon Cafe in Saranac Lake
Hamlets and Huts Trail Center in Saranac Lake
2. Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center — escape to quiet trails
When I’m craving a quieter winter outing, I head to the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) located about 20 minutes west of Saranac Lake. About 25 miles of multi-use trails cover the 3,000 acres of the VIC. The trail system is ideal for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing winding through forests and wetlands that feel wonderfully still under fresh snow. It’s one of those places where I naturally slow my pace, focus on the wintry landscape, and enjoy the simple rhythm of moving through the woods. Keep an eye out for the wetlands for excellent bird habitat.
Beyond the Comfort Zone - when conditions line up, climb up and ski down Jenkins Mountain (backcountry skis, skins and helmet required). The ascent is slow and methodical, while the descent rewards careful route-finding and confidence — an ideal place to sharpen your backcountry skills in winter.
Trip resources
3. Lapland Lake — a true Nordic experience
When I want a fully immersive Finnish adventure, I head to Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center in the southern Adirondacks. Its extensive network of expertly groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails offers terrain for every level, from approachable loops to long, demanding routes that test my endurance and technique. After a day on the trails, spend a night in their onsite tupas (small cabins) and a sweat in a Finnish sauna. Lapland Lake offers something for everyone — perfect for a family adventure or with friends.
Beyond the Comfort Zone — ski across frozen Woods Lake when conditions allow. It’s been a few years since the lake was frozen enough but its worth the wait. The lake was solid in December 2025. When the lake is not frozen, I push my comfort zone by skiing the Sisu Trail twice — a winding and hilly trail that meanders through a deep forest down to the Sacandaga River and back to the lodge.
Trip resources
Read my previous related posts:
What do you like to do in the winter to “go beyond your comfort zone?”
4. Jack Rabbit Trail — a classic Adirondack winter route
The Jack Rabbit Trail is one of those Adirondack experiences I return to again and again due to its variety in terrain and location. The Trail stretches from Keene Valley in the east to Saranac Lake in the west offering hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing through some of the region’s most scenic terrain. My favorite adventure is to stay at the Rock and River Lodge and ski west up the Jack Rabbit Trail towards the towering cliffs of Pitchoff Mountain where you are afforded amazing views of the Sentinel Range. Whether I’m skiing a shorter section or planning a longer point-to-point route, the Jack Rabbit Trail always feels like a true connection to Adirondack winter tradition.
Beyond the Comfort Zone — ski the McKenzie Pond Road section of the Jack Rabbit Trail (approximately 5.50 miles) from Saranac Lake east to the Whiteface Inn. When you finish, savor a cup of hot cocoa at the Whiteface Inn.
Trip resources
Read my previous related post:
5. Wilmington - gateway to Whiteface Mountain and frozen gorges
Wilmington is where winter adventure starts to feel bigger and more demanding. As the gateway to accessing Whiteface Mountain, this small Adirondack town blends alpine energy with some of the region’s most dramatic winter scenery — from icy gorges to frozen waterfalls tucked deep in the forest.
Whiteface Mountain was home to the alpine events of the 1980 Winter Olympics.
A popular winter outing here is hiking into High Falls Gorge, where towering waterfalls freeze into sculpted ice formations. Even in the winter, the gorge remains accessible via a well-maintained trail system, making it possible to safely explore an icy landscape that feels anything but ordinary.
Beyond the Comfort Zone — when there is enough snow, ski up (and down) the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway to the summit. Closed in the winter to vehicles, the ski is about 5.5 miles one-way to the base of the summit’s stone castle. The route is not straight up, but winding and you are afforded beautiful views of the high peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. You gain about 2,400 in elevation offering a challenging but scenic backcountry ski experience.
Trip resources
Toll Road and Twisted Raven: A Ski and Eat Pairing in the Whiteface Region
BETA information on backcountry conditions including Whiteface Highway
Taken together, these five destinations remind me just how diverse—and how demanding—a typical Adirondack winter can be. With this year’s abundance of natural snow transforming our trails, forests, and mountains across the region, I feel more drawn than ever to push a little farther than usual — whether that’s in Saranac Lake, Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center, the Jack Rabbit Trail, Lapland Lake, or Wilmington.
The best stories begin where comfort ends. Thanks for coming along for the adventure.
How do you go beyond your comfort zone? I appreciate your comments as always. Thank you for being here.
A great resource Jenn!
These are stunning trails, and pictures Jenn. The first image is simply striking.