The Mountain That Calls Us Home – Snow Season is Back at Whiteface

By Mark Anderson

Just seven miles to the northeast of Lake Placid lies a mountain with a reputation that needs little introduction here. Looming high above Wilmington with a profile that can be seen clear across Lake Champlain from parts of Vermont, the fifth highest peak in New York has become a beloved site for skiers, snowboarders, hikers, and tourists alike. With the greatest amount of skiable vert this side of the Rockies, this mountain serves up a healthy dose of challenging slopes, unparalleled views of the High Peaks Region, as well as other plentiful activities and events happening throughout the winter season. READ MORE

Skiing is Good for You – Get Out and Have Fun!

By Alex Kochon

Cross-country skiing is fun to learn, healthy, family-friendly, accessible, affordable, and it offers great variety! It uses natural movements – doesn’t require special skills to get started and has a short learning curve. Just an hour or two spent being coached by a professional instructor will give you the skills needed for a lifetime of fun! READ MORE

Winter White – Snowshoeing Adventures

By Laura Clark

With the less than ideal snow conditions we’ve had the past few years, folks have become more spontaneous in their outings, or they wait until the last minute to sign up for races. And this makes sense from a practical standpoint, if not from a community perspective. For those new to the sport, events offer a perfect introduction, a chance to meet fellow enthusiasts, trade tips and outfitting ideas. Most races like the WMAC Dion-NeviTREK Series offer rentals to sample before you make the investment. Starting out, it looks as if we may be in store for some beautiful snow conditions. But even if trails are less than ideal, your rugged snowshoes can handle them and jump around snow patches, while XC skis are less nimble. Keep this in mind if you are a confirmed skier and do consider shoeing on those less than ideal days. READ MORE

Saint Regis Canoe Area

By Rich Macha

During the fair-weather months, the 18,400-acre Saint Regis Canoe Area, located northwest of the Village of Saranac Lake, is a popular destination for paddlers who are looking for a wilderness experience. In winter, the area is much less visited but it does offer some interesting possibilities to the cross-country skier. READ MORE

Wilderness in the Presence of History – Great Camp Sagamore

By Bill Ingersoll

The legal definition of wilderness in the Adirondack Park, since 1972, has in part read “an area of state land or water having a primeval character … [which] generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable.” For some people, this sets the expectation that an area so designated is entirely natural and exists just as it did before Homo sapiens ever set foot in North America. READ MORE

Mountain Biking with a Trail Dog – A Reflection on Five Years with Darby

By Josh Clevenstine

I’ve been mountain biking with my five-year-old female chocolate lab, Darby, since March 2020. We ride multiple times a week, year-round, regardless of weather. The results have been pretty special. Here are a few key takeaways – the cornerstones of what works for us are consistency and patience. READ MORE