Adirondack High Peaks Region

The Mount Van Hoevenberg sports complex was used to host the 1932 (bobsled) and 1980 Winter Olympics (bobsleigh, luge, cross-country skiing, and biathlon). The breathtaking cross country and snowshoe terrain offers meticulously groomed backcountry adventure on gentle to challenging Adirondack trails.

Trailhead Lat,Long:  44.22451,-73.91328

Website: https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/

Map: https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/about-us/trail-map/

Cross-Country and Snowshoe Trails

Winter months cross-country ski center with 20K of groomed trails for skate skiing, classic skiing, and snowshoeing 40K of groomed and maintained trails for classic skiers and snowshoers. 10k of maintained snowshoe only trails along ponds and on mountain. A full range of ski trail difficulties and lengths Indoor space to get you geared up for your winter adventure Rental equipment for skiing and snowshoeing

Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.45034,-74.25977

Website: https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/ski/

Map: https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/VIC-map-2021.pdf

Trails are an advanced backcountry skiing experience where hidden hazards, changing conditions and varied terrain all affect your safety. By entering this terrain you waive any liability. Be prepared for emergency by using the necessary equipment and planning ahead.

Requirements:

Users of the area are required to have a Paul Smith’s College VIC trail pass and the following equipment:

• Helmet
• Climbing Skins
• Alpine touring ski equipment
• Snowshoes are not permitted

Trail Rules:

Trails are one directional and do not access the summit.

• Uphill traffic must stay on the skin track marked with yellow discs.
• Downhill runs are a sweater-weave pattern through the area marked with red discs.

Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.45034,-74.25977

Website & Map: https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/jms-ski-zone/

Now owned and operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club, Cascade Welcome Center offers 12 miles (20km) of trails that are open year-round and groomed for classic skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. The network is composed of largely flats and rolling hills with some steeper downhills on the south end. The trails wind through dense forests and along a large wetland, which offers excellent views of neighboring high peaks around the property’s wetland. Dogs are allowed as long as they remain on a leash at all times. They offer a full service rental center with classic cross-country ski equipment. They also sell classic cross-country skis, bindings, and boots, along with other winter gear and necessities.

Address: 4833 Cascade Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946

Phone: 518-837-5047

Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.24123,-73.92634

Website & Map: https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/

The Brewster Peninsula Trails are located on the shores of Lake Placid and are tucked back on a dirt road. The DEC has worked to use old access roads and selected new trails to develop this year-round destination for short, fun afternoon outings. A destination for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, mountain bikers, trail runners, hikers, family picnics and fishing – you shouldn’t be surprised to see all kinds of recreationalists. Young and old, novice to experienced – this is a great spot to stretch your legs.

Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.29921,-73.99468

Map: https://www.lakeplacid.com/f/listing/3077/peninsulanaturetrailshiking48pdf.pdf

The 50-kilometer Jackrabbit Trail runs from Keene, through Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, to Paul Smiths. These extensive trails were built and are maintained by volunteer members of the Adirondack Ski Touring Council. It is a trail that connects with four ski centers and several backcountry routes along the way. Most of the trail is ungroomed and free. Skiers traversing Cascade Ski Center or the Lake Placid Club Nordic Center (when operating) should pay a trail fee. Mt. Van Hoevenberg (not directly crossed by the Jackrabbit Trail) requires a separate pass – available at Cascade Ski Center. Skiers may transit the Whiteface Club Nordic Center without paying a fee by adhering to the mostly ungroomed route marked with Jackrabbit Trail markers on posts.

The following trailheads are arranged in order from Paul Smiths to Rock & River.

Paul Smiths VIC Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.44704,-74.25626

McKenzie Pond Rd Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.31459,-74.10193

Whiteface Club Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.31254,-74.00716

Mirror Lake Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.28279,-73.9795767

Mountain Rd Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.23669,-73.89607

Rock & River Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.26654,-73.85098

Website: https://www.betatrails.org/jackrabbit-ski-trail.html

Map: http://www.jackrabbittrail.org/mapdescriptions.html

Henry’s Woods, which is owned and maintained by the Uihlein Foundation, is a community preserve located just outside of the village of Lake Placid. This is a popular area for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter trail-running. Access is easy with no restrictions.

Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.26533,-73.98129

Website & Map: https://wildadirondacks.org/henrys-woods-trail-map-directions.html

This trail follows a truck trail through a pine plantation. The trails are fairly easy skiing. After half a mile and crossing the Osgood River the trail has several branches. The first one to the right after the bridge leads to Grass Pond and a lean-to. Further on, the left branch parallels the west side of Hayes Brook and leads to to Sheep Meadow where you will find lean-tos, and a horse shelter. The other branch terminates in a marshy area on Hayes Brook.

Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.48137,-74.28078

Map: https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/haysbrookhikingmap.pdf

From Fish Hatchery Road, start by skiing the access road to the railroad tracks. At the railroad tracks take a left and either follow the tracks or the road alongside. The road is usually in better condition. After about 0.75 miles the Fish Pond Truck Trail will come in on the right. Once on the trail you will notice it is properly named, it is an old truck road. The course is wide and flat at the beginning but will soon come to a small climb over a small knob which is the height-of-land along the trail. The descent on the other side is a nice one, but not very aggressive. At the base of the descent you will cross a tributary of St. Regis Pond and start a course of small rolling hills that will pass you by a few short spur trails to other hidden gems.

Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.35262,-74.2898967

Website: https://www.tupperlake.com/hiking/fish-pond-truck-trail

Map: https://www.tupperlake.com/f/Listings/100285/information-pdfs/fishpondtrucktrailactivities3493pdf.pdf

Lower ski trails groomed for skating, Trails track set as conditions allow. Upper trails ungroomed. Most lower trails lighted for night skiing. Snowshoeing trails.

Phone: 518-891-2697

Address: 238 George H Lapan Memorial Hwy, Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Trailhead: Lat,Long: 44.31898,-74.15097

Website: https://www.deweymountain.com/

Map: https://www.deweymountain.com/hours–info.html

This is a popular cross-country ski trail. The parking at the bridge will be plowed and there is a clearly marked ski trail connecting to the gravel road that is the trail. Follow the trail to the shores of Lake Placid at Whiteface Landing. Although the trail continues to the peak of Whiteface the practical limit for most skiers is to continue to the right to the lean-to about a mile past the landing.

Parking for Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.30025,-73.93048

Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.30145,-73.93474

Map: The trail is shown at the links above as Connery Pond Road.

This is a wonderful but somewhat difficult ski into a beautiful cliff-lined alpine lake deep in the heart of the Adirondack High Peaks Region to the alpine lake between Mt. Colden and Algonquin. You can begin the ski from Adirondak Loj or from the intersection of S. Meadows Rd with Adirondak Loj Road.

Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.19358,-73.95358

Website & Map: https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/

Owned by the Adirondack Mountain Club, there are trails on the ADK Loj property that are suitable for skiing. The facillity is also provides access to trails in the High Peaks region of the Adirondak Park. Use of the trails is free but there is a modest fee to park your car. Check in with the information center for information and maps of the property and other trails. This is another excellent place to depart to ski to Marcy Dam and on to Avalanche Lake. (Be sure to get information on the “skier bypasses” for a couple of the more difficult parts of the trail used by hikers.)

Trailhead Lat,Long: 44.18307,-73.96310

10-20 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails and a goal of reacquainting local communities with the culture of Nordic skiing. Operated by High Peaks Cyclery in partnership with the town of North Elba.

Address: 141 Country Club Lane, Lake Placid, NY
Trailhead Lat/Long: 44.24988,-73.94596
Website: https://www.scottscobblenordic.com/
Map: https://www.scottscobblenordic.com/trail-map-conditions

Heaven Hill is a multi-use trail system that offers breathtaking scenery with very little effort. It’s great for families or anyone looking for an easy stroll with mountain vistas. The trails are open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing and are ungroomed.

Trailhead Lat/Long: 44.242451,-73.99690
Website: https://www.lakeplacid.com/hiking/heaven-hill-trails
Map: https://wildadirondacks.org/heaven-hill-trails-map-directions.html

This free and dog friendly trail system, the James C. Frenette Sr. Recreational Trails, is groomed and maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers in conjunction with the town of Tupper Lake.

Address: 141 Country Club Road, Tupper Lake
Trailhead Lat/Long: http://maps.google.com/?q=44.18756,-74.48052
Website: https://www.tupperlake.com/recreation/cross-country-skiing
Map: https://www.tupperlake.com/f/Listings/203825/information-pdfs/jcf-digital-trail-map.pdf