Get Outside for New Adventures

By Michele Pearsall

We’re heading toward the holidays, a time when we can usually enjoy family and friends, and express our gratitude for what we have. I want to keep that optimism and encourage you to do the same responsibly – preferably outdoors!

The health crisis has wreaked havoc on many. For me, it was loss of a job in higher education, and with that I was lucky enough to have a new/old opportunity to be hired as the Outdoor Center Manager at Garnet Hill – this takes me back to my years in ski area management and recreation. If we look at things the right way, we can find a reason to be thankful, and to be grateful.

Now more than ever, we all need to take time to unwind and relieve stress. Snowsports are the ideal winter activity to help us with this, providing numerous proven health benefits to participants. According to the World Health Organization, “Regular physical activity benefits both the body and mind.” The WHO says that physical activity increases strength and fitness, reduces the risk of cardiovascular and other physical ailments, and improves mental health – specifically reducing the risk of depression.

If you are an alpine skier, you may feel like “skinny skis” are not for you, it is excursion with a cardiovascular benefit. There are also skills involved and there are many options: classic, skate skiing, touring and backcountry – all with similar benefits.  

With Nordic there are no lift lines and no cold chair ride up. With both sports, it is natural physical distancing, especially this season as you’ll probably be booting up in your vehicle.

While the option for type of skiing is varied so are the cross country ski center venues, all with a distinct flavor and all beautiful. With each venue there will be varied processes for rentals, season passes, equipment purchasing, warming areas and ticket sales. Don’t be surprised if these change as we move forward so be patient as resorts do their best to meet customers needs and provide safe places for employees and skiers.

Garnet Hill Lodge & Outdoor Center – Located in North River, about 10 miles from Gore Mountain, Garnet Hill has 40K+ of trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Last year at the March shutdown, they received 90” of snow for the season. They encourage skiers to purchase season passes and day passes can be purchased online up to 2pm the day prior to skiing. When purchasing online you save time and money. Rentals include cross-country skis, snowshoes and fat tire bikes. Lessons with PSIA certified instructors both private and semi-private or with a group of family members. 

There will be warming areas outdoors near the Outdoor Center, with the option of skiing to the Log House main lodge, where an outdoor fire and takeout food will be available – or you can eat inside the Log House (reservations required). On a nice day the deck will be open and you can still order your favorite beverage or lunch created by Chef Michael Crandall. Visit garnet-hill.com.

Lapland Lake XC Ski & Snowshoe Center – Near Northville, Lapland Lake averages 108” of snow with 50K of skiing and snowshoeing trails. Founded in 1978, the resort features unparalleled woodland skiing on a superb trail system designed by Olavi Hirvonen, former U.S. Olympic skier (1960, Squaw Valley). Some programs may not be offered this year, and as with all ski centers, things may change as we move forward so it’s always a good thing to call, check webpages or Facebook for current status.

Lapland’s one-way trails offer a good safe distancing option. While there will be no indoor seating, there will be the option of takeout food, and if you plan on staying, the lodging has kitchens for helpful housekeeping. Lessons with PSIA certified instructors will be available with private and semi-private or family groups with a six-person limit. I have enjoyed many ski days with plentiful snow and skiing along the lake. Check out: laplandlake.com.

Mt. Van Hoevenberg – The 50K venue combines outdoor recreation with the Lake Placid Olympic Legacy. See the cover article as it has seen many transformational improvements that bring the center to international standards for Nordic skiing and biathlon. The new snowmaking covers a 5K, with 2K being easier terrain, while the remaining is challenging for training and racing.

The new lodge offers a restaurant, bar, full ski shop and rentals, and a fieldhouse that will include showers, indoor climbing wall, fitness center and locker rooms. PSIA certified lessons are available. A Citizens Race Series is being planned and the Lake Placid Loppet is scheduled for March 13. Go to: mtvanhoevenberg.com.

Gore Mountain Nordic Center – At the North Creek Ski Bowl, wide open space in front of the lodge makes for a great learning area and a great venue for high school, collegiate and citizen races. Snowmaking makes Gore a solid bet for skiing and snowshoeing. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available. PSIA Nordic instructors are available for lessons.

This year they again will hold Citizen Series Races on Tuesday evenings from January 12 through February 16. These fun races are timed however awards are not given for places, but raffles awarded post-race with many local businesses providing gift certificates. For this season, registration for all events will be online. The races will be doing a rolling, individual start to make it as safe as possible. Visit: goremountain.com.

Cascade Cross Country Ski Center – With 25K of groomed trails, Cascade is located just outside of Lake Placid. They offer 20K of trails for classic skiing as well as snowshoe trails.  Cascade normally offers a cozy lodge with fireplace, this year it is moving outside, and you can still purchase a beer or take a bagged lunch for sitting outside by the fire, as well as preorder lunch options. The retail shop is available with personal service for equipment purchases. 

As with other Nordic centers ticket sales and rentals can be pre-purchased online. Lodging in the bunkhouses is on-hold but it’s still to be determined so contact them for info. For this season, rentals are shifting to a new system with pick-up outdoors for safety. While the famous Full Moon Parties are canceled for this season, but they look forward to their return next year. Check out: cascadeski.com.

Dewey Mountain Recreation Center – Located just outside the village of Saranac Lake, Dewey offers skiers 13K of groomed trails for skate and classic skiing. There are also ungroomed trails to the summit for skiers and snowshoers, and four nights of lighted skiing available per week. 

Dewey’s events are limited for this season, but as always there will be a lot of activity at this popular community resource that welcomes visitors from near and far. Dewey is managed by Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters. For info: deweymountain.com.

Pineridge Cross-Country Ski Area – Located on the Rensselaer Plateau, east of Troy, Pineridge often receives snow while lower elevations nearby miss it. It’s the largest ski center in the Capital Region with 35K of groomed trails, 15K of snowshoeing trails and 5K of backcountry trails. They have ski and snowshoe rentals and season rentals for kids. Learn more at: pineridgexc.com.

Michele Pearsall (mpearsall@garnet-hill.com) is the Outdoor Center Manager at Garnet Hill Lodge in North River. She lives in North Creek, enjoys sharing outdoor adventures with her husband Matt, and is a yoga instructor at Solstice Yoga.