Mid-Winter Ski Highlights

ADK Tour de Ski, February 10, 25 and March 10

LAKE PLACID – The new, exciting XC race series has been a success so far with three venues completed at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, Frenette Trails in Tupper Lake, and Dewey Mountain in Saranac Lake. Participants have raced hard and spend a day or weekend in the spectacular Adirondacks, covering multiple race distances and techniques. Upcoming races include Scotts Cobble Nordic Center in Lake Placid on Saturday, February 10, ADK Cascade Welcome Center on Sunday, February 25, and the Paul Smith’s VIC IN Paul Smiths on March 10. For more details and sign-up, go to: paulsmithsvic.org. 

Ladies Ski Clinic at Lapland Lake, February 3

NORTHVILLE – Lapland Lake will host their Ladies Skate Technique Ski Clinic on Saturday, February 3. The morning sessions begin at 9:30am and wrap-up ends at 3:30pm. This is a special cross-country ski program for women, taught by women. Beginner and intermediate level female skiers age 18+, grouped by ability, will receive instruction in skate technique in the morning. After a lunch break (participants are welcome to either bring their own lunch or purchase) the clinic will meet up for a social group ski in the afternoon, and enjoy a group skills wrap-up and snack at the end of the day. The program is led by Lapland Lake’s PSIA-certified instructors. Cost for the program includes facility use pass. Equipment rental is not included, if equipment is needed, purchase the rental separately. Space is limited so register in advance. Visit: laplandlake.com.

NYSSRA Nordic Women’s Ski Day, February 24

LAKE PLACID – This event serves to illuminate female cross-country ski enthusiasts, offering like-minded souls the opportunity to gather for a day of skiing – with learning, lunch and revelry! A highlight is the learn-to-ski clinics led by female instructors, the emphasis being on relaxed, fun learning in a supportive and encouraging environment. All ability, skill, and experience levels are welcome. NYSSRA Nordic hopes to foster a healthy lifestyle through the fun and beauty of being outdoors in the winter on skis.  

Join the NYSSRA Nordic Women’s Ski Day on Saturday, February 24 at ADK’S Cascade Welcome Center in Lake Placid. 

Clinics include Beginner Classic, Intermediate Classic, Skate, Guided Classic Tour. Detailed descriptions and schedule are available online. Activities include an equipment check, morning instruction, lunch/social, and afternoon clinics. There will also be Fischer Ski and One Way pole demos for registrants to try equipment. 

The Fundamentals: Designing a Training Approach to Progress in Sport and Nordic Ski Training Year-Round will be led by Andrea Henkel Burke. There will be afternoon guided classic ski and skate clinics. Plus, an informational session on Expanding Your Regional Ski Trail Knowledge: Local “off-piste” Trail Options in the High Peaks Region by Bunny Goodwin.

Participants may choose to bring their own equipment or can rent equipment from the Cascade Ski Center upon arrival. If interested in the afternoon Skate Clinic, individuals must provide their own skate equipment for this session. For food service, a variety of catered food options for purchase from Green Goddess Market & Café of Lake Placid, will be available on site. 

The guest speaker in the afternoon is Andrea Henkel Burke, one of the most talented female athletes in cross-country skiing and biathlon. Her workshop will delve into ski training year-round, guiding participants in understanding how to sustain a base fitness level in the “off season,” building into a recreational or competitive winter ski season.

Andrea is a four-time Olympic athlete, winning two Olympic gold medals and eight World Championship titles. As a personal trainer, she has the life-long experience as a professional athlete as well as certifications in personal training and nutrition. Since retiring from competition, Andrea lives in Lake Placid with her husband, US biathlete Tim Burke, and continues to travel to Europe for professional activities. Visit: skireg.com.

Swix Lake Placid Loppet, February 24

LAKE PLACID – The Swix Lake Placid Loppet, presented by Ariens at Mt. Van Hoevenberg is set for Saturday, February 24. This annual event is open to everyone and has been a beloved tradition for over 30 years at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Challenge yourself on a demanding course, slightly modified from the 1980 Winter Olympics’ 50K route, making it one of the toughest citizen races globally. Whether you prefer classic or skate skiing, you can conquer the full 50K course, or opt for the Kort 25K if you’re looking for a shorter challenge.

If trying it or speed is your game, join the Citizens Series in the afternoon, offering races in 12K, 6K or 3K. It’s a fun-filled day for the whole family, featuring Mt. Van Hoevenberg’s scenic trails, entertainment, and food. The Loppet is a winter season highlight you won’t want to miss, attracting skiers from near and far, and young and old, in a welcoming environment. 

This is what you’re in for: 50K Loppet is two laps of the 25K loop, and the 25K Kort Loppet is one-lap on the 25K loop. On the course, the height difference 183 meters and maximum climb is 69 meters. The Kort includes 560 meters of climbing and the Loppet has 1,120 meters. More info and to register: skireg.com.

Saranac Lake 3P, March 2

SARANAC LAKE – The Saranac Lake 3P is a six-leg multisport race event organized to showcase the incredible local recreational venues in and around Saranac Lake. The event serves as a community celebration of their unique and diverse frontcountry. It also leverages the spring shoulder season as participants follow the spring snowmelt from the area’s mountains to the river all under their own power on skis, bikes, and in boats. This year, this second annual charity event will benefit Friends of Mt. Pisgah / Saranac Lake Ski Club, a group of locals committed to improving all aspects of the Mt. Pisgah experience – locals who are making a huge positive impact on the community.

“The lifestyle up here prepares you for this race. We run, bike, paddle and ski, so it hits all of the targets.” –Keith Kogut, winner, 2023 Saranac Lake 3P race.

The race, where contestants compete either individually or in teams of two to six, consists of an alpine ski/snowboard leg, a town tour bike leg, a cross-country ski leg, another quick bicycle leg, a boating leg, and finally a running segment to bring participants back to the start/finish line at Mt. Pisgah. 

Participants will skin up (ski uphill with climbing skins attached to the underside of their skis) or snowshoe up the slope of Mt. Pisgah, alpine ski or snowboard down Mt. Pisgah, bike to Dewey Mountain where they will cross-country ski two loops on a set course on the groomed trails, bike to the Saranac River where they will paddle down to the Saranac Lake Fish & Game Club, before finally running back up to the start/finish line at Mt. Pisgah. An after-party will be hosted at the Mt. Pisgah Lodge, adjacent to the start/finish line.  

See the website and maps page for more details on the routes, elevation profiles, rules and tidbits. There will be a new Kids “Pole-Pedal-Play” Race for ages 5-15 to follow. Register: saranaclake3p.org.