Winter Adventure
Winter Adventure
Lake Placid is often referred to as the winter sports capital – and for good reason – there’s so much to do in the snowy months! Whether you are in to skiing, skating, or dog sled rides, here are our top picks for a fun Adirondack winter adventure!
...On Mirror Lake...
Skating
We clear off a section of ice by the hotel for a rink to skate or play some pickup hockey.
Bring your own skates or rent some next door at Locker Room 5
Dog Sledding
Dog Sledding is by Lake Placid Dog Sledding and is an independent company from the Golden Arrow.
Availability is subject to change without notice.
Hours: Thursday – Sunday + holidays
10am – 4pm (ish)
$20 per person – cash only
first-come first-served, no reservations
Toboggan Chute
The toboggan chute is operated by the Town of North Elba. They will not open until there is at least 12 inches of ice.
This is a weather permitting attraction.
Availability is subject to change without notice.
...Family Fun...
The Wild Center
Open Friday – Sunday 10am to 5pm
Find new ways to connect with nature through experiences like Wild Walk, Climate Solutions, Raquette River Roll, Forest Music, Patrick Dougherty’s Stickwork, Brenda Baker’s The Clothesline, Birdly, and get to know some of the Adirondack animal ambassadors that call The Wild Center home.
Wild Lights Returns November 29!
Wander into the enchanting, illuminated, winter wonderland ! Bask in the glow of thousands of lights as you experience Wild Walk after dark. Then, stroll through Forest Music to surround yourself with immersive music and lights—curated specifically for the looped trail.
29.5 Miles
Santa's Workshop
2024 Winter Weekends
Saturdays & Sundays ONLY
Nov. 16th – Dec. 15th & Nov. 29th
10am-3:30pm
entrance closes at 2:00pm
A trip to the oldest continuously run theme park in the country will afford each visitor the opportunity to experience classic rides, fantastic shows, quaint shops and a delightful, authentic Christmas Village.
2024 Village of Lights
Dec 1st, 8th, & 15th-21st
4:30pm-8:00pm
entrance closes at 7:00pm
A wonderful way to capture the “spirit of the season.” Enjoy caroling, a roaring fire, visit the shops as well as the reindeer, and put in that last request to Santa himself.
14.3 Miles
Ice Fishing
Bundle up and spend a day on a scenic Adirondack lake learning the basics of ice fishing and enjoying the fresh mountain air with guide Rich.
13 Miles
Sled & Spoke Snowmobiling
9.9 Miles
Farmhouse Snowmobiling
Embark on an exhilarating snowmobile adventure through an enchanting Adirondack Winter Wonderland!
After meeting your guide and receiving a safety briefing, the hour and a half tour will begin. You will ride old logging roads, state snowmobile trails, and heavily wooded trails. Along the route, you encounter breathtaking sights that showcase the beauty of the Adirondack winter landscape. About halfway through the tour, you make a stop at a scenic spot in the forest which is a great photo opportunity. This allows the opportunity to soak in the serenity of the surroundings and bond with friends and fellow snowmobilers. After the brief stop, you’ll head back out on the trails and finish at the farm.
17.9 Miles
Lake Clear Lodge Sleigh Rides
The only lantern-lit trail sleigh rides in the Adirondacks! Meander over nature trails and to the shores of serene Lake Clear, lit by real kerosene lanterns. Plus, relive history with a unique 1920s Speakeasy Dinner Experience!
Choose your experience by visiting lakeclearlodge.com/experiences/sleigh-rides
18.2 Miles
...Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding...
Whiteface Mountain
The mountain boasts 96 trails stretching 25 miles and encompassing three peaks, offering a tremendously vast diversity of terrain with 98 percent of all trails equipped with snowmaking. With the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies, Whiteface is a place to go big. It’s also one of sweeping vistas that inspire awe.
9.8 Miles
Mt Pisgah
A trip to the oldest continuously run theme park in the country will afford each visitor the opportunity to experience classic rides, fantastic shows, quaint shops and a delightful, authentic Christmas Village
11 Miles
Titus Mountain
A trip to the oldest continuously run theme park in the country will afford each visitor the opportunity to experience classic rides, fantastic shows, quaint shops and a delightful, authentic Christmas Village
49.7 Miles
...Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing...
Mt Van Hoevenberg
The Olympic Cross Country trails of Mt Van Hoevenberg have delighted visitors since they opened for the 1980 Olympic Games. Since then snow-making upgrades, trail improvements, and world-class grooming have built upon the Olympic legacy. Skiers here have always found trails fit for the Olympians inside them, no matter their ability. Step into a pair of skis or snowshoes, breathe in the fresh, crisp air, and follow the path through the snowy woods.
8 Miles
Cascade Welcome Center
Cascade Welcome Center offers 12 miles (20km) of trails that are open year-round and groomed for classic skiing, skate skiing, and snowshoeing in the winter. The network features beginner-friendly and rolling terrain as well as steeper hills on the south end.
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 not allowed.
5.4 Miles
5.4 Miles
Paul Smith's VIC
During the winter months, the Paul Smiths VIC becomes a cross-country ski center with over 25 miles of trails for cross country skiing, skate skiing, and snowshoeing. Many of the VIC’s smoother trails do not need a great deal of snow to be ski-able. Moreover, Paul Smiths often gets noticeably more snow than other places in the Adirondacks, which means the VIC’s Nordic trails are frequently ski-able at times when snowfall is limited.
5.4 Miles
22.5 Miles
The only thing we overlook is the lake
Surrender yourself to the natural and untouched beauty of the Adirondack Mountains at the first resort in the U.S. to receive the Audubon International’s Platinum Eco Rating for Hotels. There are now only six hotels in the United States to obtain this honor! It’s a place to renew yourself on the serene shores of Mirror Lake, and take in the history of the town, just steps away from the famed Olympic Village and the heart of Lake Placid, New York. No other place on earth provides this unique blend of comfort, rejuvenation, or one-of-a-kind experiences. Start planning your stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort now!