Cross-Country Skiing in the Adirondacks, New York

The Trip

Experience the magic world of winter! Discover snowy forest trails and the stunning winter scenery of the New York Adirondack Mountains. Our base is a true mountain resort where you can discover all the fun and adventure of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Enjoy miles of scenic groomed trails at your own pace. Take a ski lesson to learn the basics or improve your technique. Enjoy a backcountry ski journey. At day’s end find the warmth of friends and good cheer by the fireplace.

Our base lodge is nationally known for the excellence of its cross-country skiing trails and programs, and is widely recognized to be one of the best Nordic ski centers in the country. It features over 30 miles of beautifully groomed cross-country ski trails, with countless miles of backcountry and snowshoe trails, surrounded by rugged mountain beauty.

Don’t hibernate this winter. Get outdoors and sample all that a winter vacation in the Adirondacks has to offer. Our lodge is surrounded by meticulously groomed trails that meander through the tranquil Adirondack Mountains near North River, NY. With trails ranging from easy to difficult, cross-country skiers of all skill levels can enjoy these wilderness trails.

Our lodge offers a historic Adirondack setting where you escape from the hectic pace of everyday life and surround yourself with the serenity of nature. One of a few classic Adirondack lodges that remain today, it is located on a mountain overlooking a beautiful pristine lake, with miles of private ski and hiking trails and surrounded by the forever wild, protected state land of the Adirondack Park

From the comforts of our historic lodge, you can venture out and explore miles of groomed cross-country ski trails as well as dedicated snowshoe trails. You will have direct access to marvelous backcountry ski trails. Expert instructors will lead us on daily skiing or snowshoeing excursions. You will have a choice of beginner or more challenging levels. You can take a lesson, which is a great way to improve your technique and increase your enjoyment of the sport. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skier or snowshoer, you’ll love exploring the winter wonderland of the Adirondacks.

The Adirondack Forest Preserve is the largest state park in the Lower 48 with unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. It includes more than 10,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, and over 100 mountain summits with a wide variety of habitats, including wetlands and old-growth forests. Many areas within the park are devoid of settlements and distant from usable roads. There are over 2,000 miles of hiking trails, which comprise the largest trail system in the nation.

The Adirondack Park was created in 1892 by the State of New York amid concerns for the water and timber resources of the region. At six million acres, it is larger than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon, and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks combined. The park contains the largest protected wilderness area east of the Mississippi and is the largest National Historic Landmark.

Nearly half of the park belongs to the people of the State of New York and is constitutionally protected as a "forever wild" forest preserve. The remaining half is private land with nearly 130,000 year-round residents living in the small towns and rural areas inside the park.

The following activities will be offered by the outing. 

Day 1: On the afternoon of our first day, we’ll settle in, unpack, and unwind from our travels. We’ll enjoy a welcoming dinner, get acquainted, and have an orientation to the week’s activities. 

Day 2: After a hearty breakfast, we will spend the day cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at our level of choice. Basic cross-country ski lessons will be offered in the morning for beginners, followed by a bag lunch at the Ski Shop, with snowshoeing in the afternoon. More experienced skiers will ski down to the Sugar House with your instructor to evaluate your skill level. After lunch at the Sugar House, you will head out to try a suitably challenging trail. After dinner, we can enjoy music in the pub. You are also welcome to relax by the fire or take advantage of the games room.

Day 3: A basic lesson in cross-country skiing will be offered in the morning and an outdoor survival lesson in the afternoon. More experienced skiers will go on a backcountry day trip in the morning, skiing some fantastic non-groomed trails on Old Farm Trail. After dinner, we will go on a moonlight snowshoe tour. With very little light pollution, our setting is perfect for stargazing. Join the group shortly after nightfall for this peaceful and magical snowshoe tour. After dinner, you can also relax by the fire or take advantage of the games room. 

Day 4: Beginners will snowshoe to Elizabeth Point. After lunch, you will ski the relatively flat and incredibly serene Sugar House and North Acres Farm Area. A more challenging backcountry trip to Thirteenth Lake will be offered for more experienced skiiers. After dinner, we will enjoy a lecture on the history of skiing in the Greater Gore Mountain Area.

Day 5: Beginners will take an easy backcountry ski trail in the morning and spend the afternoon snowshoeing. A more challenging route will be offered as well. We will return to the lodge for our last night’s dinner together. Plan to share what you’ve learned from our time together and discuss ways we can work to conserve nature and our planet.

Day 6: We’ll try out our cross-country skiing skills by heading out on a backcountry ski trail. Our guides will offer a choice of a moderate or challenging route. We will enjoy a buffet lunch before we say our goodbyes and depart.

Getting There

The lodge is located about 250 miles north of New York City, a five-hour drive. The nearest airport is in Albany, NY, about 100 miles from the lodge. Shuttle service can be arranged to and from our lodge at an additional charge.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Our classic Adirondack lodge overlooks Thirteenth Lake near North River, NY. Located in the Central Adirondacks, the lodge is reminiscent of an Adirondack Great Camp. The original structure, built in 1936, offers a casual, friendly atmosphere. The current owners purchased the inn and 550 acres in 2015 and have invested in renovating and remodeling to combine the rustic charm of the historic lodge with comfortable, modern amenities. A huge stone fireplace with inviting seating areas entices guests to relax and unwind after a day of skiing or snowshoeing. There are groomed trails and opportunities to explore backcountry trails – or just settle into a chair by the fire and enjoy a good book. A separate family room with ping pong, a big screen TV, billiards, and board games makes the main lodge the perfect place to relax after an active day outdoors. Wi-Fi is available throughout the main lodge building.

Five nights' lodging in double occupancy rooms is included in the trip price. There is a surcharge for single rooms.

We will enjoy freshly prepared, hearty country cuisine in the lodge restaurant. The trip cost includes five breakfasts, five lunches, and five dinners. A hot and cold breakfast buffet is served daily. We will make our own lunches to take with us each day. Dinner buffets will offer 3 entrée choices, including a vegetarian option. 

Trip Difficulty

The trip is intended to be an introduction to winter in the Adirondacks for beginning and more experienced skiiers. Our guides will offer a choice of beginner or more challenging activities each day. Expert ski instructors will offer basic lessons in cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Equipment and Clothing

A complete list will be sent to confirmed participants by the leader in advance of the trip. Trip price does not include ski rentals. Skis can be rented for the week at the rate of $75, which includes skis, boots and poles. Snowshoes can be rented at $60 for the week.

References

The Adirondack Mountain Club offers resources at www.adk.org.

Conservation

We will learn about the conservation concerns and issues in the Adirondack Park region and the organizations working to protect the park.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.