Fresh, crisp Adirondack air. Snow-covered reaction and a smattering of indoor activities. Winter offers boundless fun and adventure. Below are the top reasons why the Lake George Area is the best Adirondack destination for a winter getaway:
The Largest Ski Resort in the Adirondacks
If you’re planning a ski vacation, make Gore Mountain your destination. This four peak, trail skiing and snowboarding mecca is perfect for all: young couples, young families, and groups of adventurers. From long cruisers like Sunway, to terrain parks full of rails and kickers, and legendary steeps like Rumor and Lies – Gore Mountain truly has it all! Add in all the on-site dining, snowmaking that covers the entire mountain, and constant mountain upgrades, and you’ll understand why Gore Mountain is second to none!
Travel Tip(s): Purchase your lift tickets online to secure your dates in advance. Midweek skiing/snowboarding is always a good consideration to avoid the weekend crowds.
Night (and Day) Skiing at West Mountain
Heading to the slopes in the evening? When it comes to night skiing, there’s no better place to go than West Mountain. This family-owned and family-friendly mountain has 30+ easy to difficult trail to explore during the day, while night skiing allows you and your family to cruise 15 of these trails well past sundown.
Long cruisers, tough steeps, and awesome terrain parks offer something for every type of skier and rider. Couple that with the Tubing Park and the delicious menu at West Mountain Bar & Eatery, and West Mountain will be a family favorite of yours for years to come!
Travel Tip(s): Purchase your lift tickets online to secure your dates in advance. Midweek skiing/snowboarding/tubing is always a good consideration to avoid the weekend crowds.
Winter Hikes with Breathtaking Views
Adirondack hiking trails don’t close once the snow starts piling up. In fact, some would argue that they become more fun to explore.
Winter hiking ranges from short walks best for beginners to tough, hours-long treks. Tackle several tails in attempt to complete a hiking challenge like the Lake George 12ster or the Chester Challenge. Discover 14+ miles of snowshoeing trails at Natural Stone Bridge & Caves in Pottersville.
Travel Tip(s): When there is a layer of ice and snow, snowshoes or spikes will make sure you arrive at those breathtaking Adirondack Mountain views safely. Keep in mind that conditions at the trailhead can be drastically different from those at the peak.
Those Feisty Fish are Still Biting
The abundant lakes and waterways are ice fishing hotspots once their skim of ice grows thick. Most ice anglers choose Lake George, accessing the lake from one of several public beaches, hoping to catch a record lake trout or a bucket of yellow perch.
Other bodies of water like Brant Lake, Glen Lake, Lake Luzerne, the Hudson River, the Schroon River, and tough-to-access Adirondack ponds offer ice fishing opportunities as well. Glen Lake has an annual ice fishing tournament and Lake Luzerne has an ice fishing derby for kids! Check out our list of the “Best Ice Fishing Hotspots in the Lake George Area” for more information!
Travel Tip(s): Always check the depth of ice before venturing out. A minimum of 3 to 4 inches of solid ice is the general rule for hard-water fishing.
Snowmobile Trails Galore
Miles of gorgeous snowmobile trails cover the Lake George Area. Local trails are managed by snowmobile clubs, and a great way to explore the region in the winter. These trails are as diverse as they are exhilarating, with long corridors connecting towns and villages, to winding, wooded trails that lead to the Hudson River.
The famous Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway is snowmobile-accessible only once snow blankest the winding road. The summit of Prospect Mountain boasts stunning views of Lake George, the Adirondack Mountains, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and even the Laurentian Mountains of Canada.
Miles of Cross-Country Ski Trails
It’s not just about downhill skiing in the Lake George Area. Cross-country skiers have dozens of trails to skate throughout the region. North Creek Ski Bowl has wooded routes, tough inclines, and lit trails for night skiing, while the Garnet Hill Outdoor Center offers 34+ miles of finely-groomed trails. Cole’s Woods in Glens Falls is a popular outdoor winter recreation destination, with a 5k race loop, lighted and non-lighted trails.
Warm Up in the Outlet Stores
Some people don’t love the snow, and we have options for them too! When the winter weather in the Lake George Area is a bit too blustery, there’s plenty of shopping to be done!
Our shopping is as diverse and widespread as the great outdoors. Spend your day perusing sales at the Factory Outlets of Lake George. From designer clothes to running shoes, these well-known shops are always offering massive discounts. Walk or drive to each of the four centers along the half-mile stretch of road. Your day will easily melt away as you meander from shop to shop, just make sure you have enough room in the car for your purchases!