If you’ve never been to the Adirondacks before, this winter might be a good time to give the region a try. They’re relatively close (driving distance) to the NY metro area, offer great skiing and snow sports, affordable cutesy lodging, and some really fun mom and pop dining options. Here are a few cool things to add to your potential winter agenda:
First Night – December 31 in Saranac Lake is a family-oriented, alcohol-free celebration of the arts to welcome in the New Year. Purchase a $12 First Night 2013 Button at participating stores throughout the villages and gain admittance to 21 entertainment acts in 11 different venues, including storytelling, family-friendly musical entertainment and dancing.
Hickory Telemark Festival – March 2 in at the Hickory Ski Center in Warrensburg. Serious alpinists are invited to ski the legend and learn how to telemark, aka free heel at Hickory Ski Center. A series of free telemark clinics will be offered, as well as demonstrations. Participants are invited to watch or join in the Tour de Trees and Telemark Challenge Race. Then enjoy the après ski barbecue with brews and live music.
Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe Snowshoe Race – January 20 at the New Land Trust in Saranac. One of the northeast’s regional qualifiers for the 2013 USSSA National Snowshoe Championships, held in Bend Oregon, this race traverses the rolling hills of the New Land Trust’s 287 acres. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable development. Entry fee is $15 and includes a t-shirt and post-race refreshments.
Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships – January 31-February 2 at the Lake Placid Olympic Center. Watch more than 250 teams from the east coast compete in this qualifying event for the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. Tickets are $17 for adults and $14 for juniors and seniors. Tickets for kids 6 years and under are free.
Canton Winterfest – February 7-16 in Canton. This annual St. Lawrence Region event kicks off with outdoor concerts and theatrical shows, craft demos and workshops,a chili cook-off and sports tournaments. Visitors will enjoy free movie showings, concerts and more.
Frozen Fire & Lights Festival – February 23 at Arrowhead Park in Inlet. This annual family-friendly celebration of winter offers a full days’ worth of events including a cardboard sled race, skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, a book sale and fireworks. Warm up at the bonfire with free refreshments.
For additional events information, lodging packages and winter travel ideas, log onto visitadirondacks.com
