NORDIC SKIING & SNOWSHOEING | |
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Hoffman Notch Wilderness
By Rich Macha
The 38,488-acre Hoffman Notch Wilderness is located northwest of Schroon Lake – it is bordered on its east by the Adirondack Northway (I-87), on the north by Blue Ridge Road, and Hoffman Road to its south. For the winter adventurer, the area offers some easy to moderate trails to check out on skis or snowshoes, as well as some special rewards for the explorer who is willing to venture off the official trails.
While the area has in the past had just 15 miles of officially-marked trails, that is about to change with a new route that will travel over Jones Hill while connecting the Big Pond Trail to the Dirgylot Hill trailhead. This will also become a section of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT).
The trailless Blue Ridge Range and its highest point, 3,693-foot Hoffman Mountain, dominate the landscape, however, there are several small peaks in the area that might be attractive to the seeker of views. In the southeast corner of the wilderness area and just north of the hamlet of Schroon Lake, a 1.2-mile trail leads up Severance Mountain/Hill while gaining over 700 feet in elevation – this can be a nice half-day hike for some views of the lakes to the south and east. There are four other trailheads that access the wilderness area.
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Cross-Country Season Preview
Winter is Back and the Snow is Here!
By Alex Kochon
In mid-November, northeastern New Yorkers got a little taste of winter with enough snowfall and low temperatures for at least a couple of days of quality skiing. A few ski areas opened before Thanksgiving, which is a rarity for East Coast ski areas in recent years.
It’s even more impressive when cross-country ski areas can open this early, as most rely on natural (as opposed to machine-made) snow. The Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center in Northville was among the first to open on Nov. 17 and remained in operation for nine days around Thanksgiving.
Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid was close behind, opening Nov. 19. “All it took was a little help from mother nature and just like that we are open,” the Ski Van Hoevenberg Facebook page noted.
After an early winter break, below-freezing temperatures and snow has started falling again, so get outside and enjoy winter! Here’s more on the latest from other local Nordic ski and snowshoe areas and trail systems:
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OUR BEST BET EVENTS
Highlighted events are Adirondack Sports advertisers/exhibitors
February issue ad deadline: Wednesday, February 8
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“If you believe in your heart that you are right, then you must fight with all your might to do it your way. Only dead fish swim with the stream all the time.” –Linda Ellerbee | |
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Cole’s Woods Winter Racing. 6pm. 2K/4K. Skate and classic XC ski & snowshoe run/walk. Free. All welcome. Cole’s Woods, Glens Falls. friendsofcoleswoods.org.
SWC Fred Cole Speed Skating Training Program. 6:15-7:30pm. Also: 1/31, 2/2, 2/7, 2/9. Learn basic techniques on/off ice. Instruction, skate rentals, insurance. Saratoga Ice Rink, Saratoga Springs. saratogawinterclub.com.
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Thursday-Sunday, Jan 26-29 | |
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Winter Mountaineering School: Backpacking Course. 9am. Adirondak Loj, Lake Placid. ADK: adk.org.
Winter Mountaineering School: Day Hike Course. 9am. Adirondak Loj, Lake Placid. ADK: adk.org.
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Thursday-Wednesday, Jan 26-Feb 1 | |
Winter Mountaineering School: Day Hike & Backpacking Course. Adirondak Loj, Lake Placid. ADK: adk.org. | |
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1st NYSSRA Nordic Women’s Cross-Country Ski Day. 10am: Beginner & intermediate classic & skate clinics. 11:30am: lunch & presentation. 12:45pm: Guided classic & skate tours. Led by women. Demos, raffles. All welcome. Brookhaven Winter Park, Greenfield. nyssranordic.org.
Capital District Triathlon Club’s January Cabin Fever Event: An Afternoon Talk with Dr. Lance Sullenberger of Capital Cardiology. 2-4pm. Dr. Sullenberger is well-known in the local triathlon and running communities; the event will be informative and relevant to endurance athletes. ALL are welcome to attend this free event (runners, bikers, hikers, paddlers); you do not need to be a CDTC member or triathlete. Refreshments will be served. Greenbush Area YMCA, East Greenbush. Questions, contact Lee: [email protected]. cdtriclub.org.
Capital District Ski Council’s Alpine Ski Citizen’s Race. Cancelled. West Mountain, Queensbury. nycdsc.org.
Beginner XC Skiing. 9am-3pm. Adirondak Loj, Lake Placid. Adirondack Mountain Club: adk.org.
1st Wheelerville Fat Bike Festival & Demo Day. 1/18 Update: Postponed until further notice. Finally some snow on the way but even with a good amount, organizers don’t think they’ll be able to get the trails groomed and packed in time. Once some trails are open they’ll announce a new date. 9am. Fat bike demos by Growler (Brewhouse) Bikes. Fat Bike Race: bikereg.com. Wheelerville Trails (10M NW of Gloversville), Caroga Lake. wheelervilletrails.org.
Beast Coast Snowshoe Scramble. Moody Spring 10K run/walk. 9:30am. Kenneth Dubuque State Forest, Hawley, MA. runreg.com.
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Fat Bike Roundup. Guided group fat bike rides. Rikert Nordic Center, Ripton, VT. bikereg.com. | |
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Sat-Sun, January 28-29
Saratoga Biathlon Weekend. Saratoga Biathlon Club, Hadley. facebook.com.
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Gurney Lane Fat Tire Bike Races & Fun Group Ride. 12pm: Fun Group Ride. 1pm: 10M & 5M Races. Also: 5K Snowshoe Races, 10am. Gurney Lane, Queensbury. bikereg.com.
Gurney Lane 5K Snowshoe Race. 10am. Walkers/hikers welcome. Dion Snowshoe Series. Also: Fat Tire Bike Races (1pm) & Ride (12pm). Gurney Lane Park, Queensbury. runreg.com.
Glenville Hills & Adk Vauhti: Cross-Country Skiathlon. 5K classic followed by 5K skate. NYSSRA Nordic. Gore Mountain Nordic Ski Center, North Creek. skireg.com.
USASA ADK: Slopestyle #2. All ages welcome. Arena Trail, Gore Mountain, North Creek. usasa.org.
Winter High Peaks Hike: Phelps. 8am. Adirondak Loj, Lake Placid. Adirondack Mountain Club: adk.org.
HMRRC Winter Series #4. 10am. 3.75M, 15K & 30K road race. HMRRC members: free. Phys Ed Building, UAlbany, Albany. hmrrc.com.
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Vertical Challenge. 9am-4pm. Festival-like vibe with free fun races for all ages and abilities, free product samples, and a DJ spinning tunes all day. Vertical Victory Party, 2-4pm in Crane Lodge with plenty of prizes. Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Hancock, MA. jiminypeak.com. | |
SWC Fred Cole Speed Skating Training Program. 6:15-7:30pm. Also: 1/31, 2/2, 2/7, 2/9. Learn basic techniques on/off ice. Instruction, skate rentals, insurance. Saratoga Ice Rink, Saratoga Springs. saratogawinterclub.com. | |
Gore Citizens’ Races. 6pm. 5K snowshoe race/walk & classic/skate XC ski. Gore Mountain Nordic Center, North Creek. goremountain.com. | |
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Cole’s Woods Winter Racing. 6pm. 2K/4K. Skate and classic XC ski & snowshoe run/walk. Free. All welcome. Cole’s Woods, Glens Falls. friendsofcoleswoods.org.
SWC Fred Cole Speed Skating Training Program. 6:15-7:30pm. Also: 2/7, 2/9. Learn basic techniques on/off ice. Instruction, skate rentals, insurance. Saratoga Ice Rink, Saratoga Springs. saratogawinterclub.com.
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Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour. 7pm. Join ADK Glens Falls-Saratoga chapter for the spirit of outdoor adventure. Come each evening to see all the films. Film lineup for each night: adk-gfs.org. Mountain Art show, door prizes, raffles, drinks, snacks. Charles R. Wood Theater, Glens Falls. Tickets: woodtheater.org/banff.
US Ski-Orienteering National Championships. Held in conjunction w/Empire State Winter Games. Sprint Event: Fri, 1pm at ADK Cascade Welcome Center, Lake Placid. Middle Event: Sat, 10:30am at Dewey Mountain Recreation Center, Saranac Lake. Long Event: Sun, 10:30am at Paul Smith’s College VIC, Paul Smiths. empoclub.org.
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Empire State Winter Games: Winter Fat Bike Cross-Country Races. 3pm. Beginner/Kids: 1.4M. Intermediate: 4.2M. Expert: 7M. New, more rider-friendly location with wide, groomed trails for all ages and abilities. Modern lodge, XC ski & snowshoe trails, bonfire. Bonus: Brewhouse Bikes with fat bike demos; Grasse River Outfitters with Strider Bikes snow bikes for kids to try; Hex and Hop craft beer. Dewey Mountain (Nordic) Recreation Center, Saranac Lake. Info/register: bikereg.com/empire-state-winter-games.
Backcountry Snowshoeing for Beginners. 9am-4pm. Adirondak Loj, Lake Placid. Adirondack Mountain Club: adk.org.
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Winterfest: Cold Front on the Canal & Take a Friend Snowmobiling. 11am-1pm. Winter activities for all ages. Hudson Crossing Park, Schuylerville. hudsoncrossingpark.org.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival: Ice Palace 4-Mile Fun Run. 10am. Ice Palace, Saranac Lake. saranaclakewintercarnival.com.
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Saratoga Winterfest 5K Snowshoe Race. 11am. Dion Series. Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs. runsignup.com.
On the Canals: Winter Hikes on the Champlain Canal. Walk to Lock 5 and back. Also: Feb. 26. NYPA & NY Canal Corp. Free. Adirondack Ultra Cycling Bike Shop, Schuylerville. Preregistration: bikereg.com.
Youth Beginner Cross Country Skiing. Ages 6-8. Cascade Welcome Center, Lake Placid. Adirondack Mountain Club: adk.org.
USASA ADK: Boarder & Skier Cross #1. All ages welcome. Part of ESWG. Whiteface, Wilmington. empirestatewintergames.com.
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Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. Mt Pisgah Downhill Ski Races: 10am. Skate Lake Colby: 10-4pm. Kick Sled Lake Colby: 2-3pm. Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza (bathing suit bike ride): 1pm. Adk Lakes & Trails Outfitters FlowerBall (Lake Flower): 2:30pm. Saranac Lake. saranaclakewintercarnival.com. | |
SWC Fred Cole Speed Skating Training Program. 6:15-7:30pm. Also: 2/9. Learn basic techniques on/off ice. Instruction, skate rentals, insurance. Saratoga Ice Rink, Saratoga Springs. saratogawinterclub.com. | |
Gore Citizens’ Races. 6pm. 5K snowshoe race/walk & classic/skate XC ski. Gore Mountain Nordic Center, North Creek. goremountain.com. | |
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Cole’s Woods Winter Racing. 6pm. 2K/4K. Skate and classic XC ski & snowshoe run/walk. Free. All welcome. Cole’s Woods, Glens Falls. friendsofcoleswoods.org.
SWC Fred Cole Speed Skating Training Program. 6:15-7:30pm. Learn basic techniques on/off ice. Instruction, skate rentals, insurance. Saratoga Ice Rink, Saratoga Springs. saratogawinterclub.com.
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Friday-Monday, February 10-13 | |
FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. The best men’s ski jumpers in the world vying for podium finishes and overall points in the World Cup standings in two individual competitions and a super team event on the 128m ski jump. Fri, 5pm: qualification round. Sat, 9am: individual competition. Sat, 4pm: super team competition. Sun, 8:45am: individual competition. Great spectator opportunity, buy your tickets in advance. Olympic Jumping Complex, Lake Placid. lakeplacidlegacysites.com. | |
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25th Adirondack International Mountainfest. Clinics/tours, gear demos, Patagonia clothing repair, presentations. The Mountaineer, Keene Valley. mountaineer.com.
Adirondack Backcountry Ski Festival. Combined w/International Mountainfest. Clinics/tours, gear demos, Patagonia clothing repair, presentations. The Mountaineer, Keene Valley. mountaineer.com.
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20th Camp Saratoga 8K Snowshoe Race. 10:30am. Dion Snowshoe Series. After: Preserve’s Winter Fun Day. Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Wilton. runsignup.com.
Ladies Skate XC Ski Clinic. 9:30am-3:30pm. Ladies skate technique for beginner & intermediate, age 18+. Instruction & group social ski. Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center, Northville. laplandlake.com.
Shen Nordic Club: Youth Fun Ski Races & Family Activities. Part of Clifton Park Winterfest. Garnsey Park, Clifton Park. facebook.com/groups/shennordic
Brookhaven Fishscale Festivus Race. Also: Bill Koch Youth Ski League race. NYSSRA Nordic. Brookhaven, Greenfield. skireg.com.
12th Winona Forest Tourathon Classic Ski Races. 50K: 8:30am. 25K/12.5K: 9am. CCC Camp, Winona Forest Recreation Area, Mannsville. skireg.com.
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8th Saratoga Fat Bike Rally. Fun day of fat bikes, food, beer, raffles, trucker hat. Partial proceeds to Common Roots Foundation. Warming Hut, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs. bikereg.com.
Citizens’ Alpine Ski Races. 10:30am. All racers and skiers welcome. Separate events for adults and juniors. Apres ski party. Pico Mountain, Mendon, VT. albanyskiclub.com.
The Green is White Snowshoe Race. 11am. 5K, 10K, 15K. MV Golf & Event Center, Little Falls. runsignup.com.
Northeast Rando Race Series: Bromley. 9:30am. Bromley Mountain, Peru, VT. bromley.com.
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Beginner Cross Country Skiing. 9am-3pm. Cascade Welcome Center, Lake Placid. ADK: adk.org.
HMRRC Winter Series #5. 10am. 4.5M, 10M & 20M road race. HMRRC members: free. Phys Ed Building, UAlbany, Albany. hmrrc.com.
7th Winona Forest SnoFatShu Duathlon. 9am. 3M snowshoe, 6M fatbike, 3M snowshoe. Team or solo. CCC Camp, Winona Forest Recreation Area, Mannsville. bikereg.com.
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USASA ADK: Boarder & Skier Cross #2. All ages welcome. Arena Trail, Gore Mountain, North Creek. usasa.org. | |
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. Cross-Country Ski Races (adult: 10am, youth: 12pm). Adk Lakes & Trails Outfitters FlowerBall (Lake Flower): 11am. Dewey Mountain Recreation Center, Saranac Lake. saranaclakewintercarnival.com. | |
Gore Citizens’ Races. 6pm. 5K snowshoe race/walk & classic/skate XC ski. Gore Mountain Nordic Center, North Creek. goremountain.com. | |
Adirondack Snowshoe Fest. Races, hikes & much more. All welcome. Family fun. Dewey Mountain Recreation Area, Saranac Lake & Paul Smith’s VIC, Paul Smiths. deweymountain.com. & paulsmithsvic.org. | |
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Shenendehowa Nordic Club: Cross-Country Ski Races. 7.5K/4.5K classic: 10am. BKYSL 3K classic: 12pm. All welcome. NYSSRA Nordic. Saratoga Biathlon Club, Day. skireg.com.
Brave the Blizzard 5K Snowshoe Race. 10am. Beginners welcome. Dion Snowshoe Series. Tawasentha Park, Guilderland. zippyreg.com.
Frigus 5K, 15K, Marathon & 30-Hour Ultra Snowshoe Races. Also: kids’ 1M fun run. Dion Snowshoe Series. Moreau Lake State Park, Gansevoort. endurancesociety.org.
Fire on the Mountain. 7-11pm. Ski/ride in a torch-lit parade (9pm), tubing, live music, fireworks (after parade), food/drinks. West Mountain, Queensbury. westmountain.com.
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Tug Hill Challenge Sled Dog Races. CCC Camp, Winona Forest Recreation Area, Mannsville. pasleddogclub.com.
Osceola Kids Fun Cross-Country Ski Festival. NYSSRA Nordic. Osceola Tug Hill Cross-Country Ski Center, Camden. skireg.com.
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Winona Forest Orange Course 3.65M Snowshoe Race. CCC Camp, Winona Forest Recreation Area, Mannsville. runreg.com. | |
Saturday-Sunday, March 18-19 | |
17th Adirondack Sports Summer Expo. Sat: 10am-5pm. Sun: 10am-4pm. Free. 200 exhibitors. Upstate NY’s run, bike, tri, hike & paddle show. Plus, health, fitness & travel. Saratoga City Center, Saratoga Springs. adksports.com/summer-expo. | |
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Erie Canalway "February 15" Challenge. XC ski, skate, snowshoe, hike, bike: complete 15 miles on the national heritage corridor between Feb. 15-28 to earn your badge. Erie Canalway, Albany to Buffalo. eriecanalway.org.
TUE Shenendehowa Nordic Club: Bill Koch Youth XC Ski League. Practices: 11/1-3/27. 4pm. Ages 4-13. Cross-country skiing, Nordic sports & outdoor activities. Free w/SNC family membership. Snow or shine. Garnsey Park, Clifton Park. Shen Nordic Club: facebook.com.
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MON-FRI Rock Your Fitness: Boot Camp Workouts. Mon/Wed/Fri: 5:15am, 6:30am, 9am. Tue: 5:30pm. Thu 7pm. Special offer: Free week of class with registration for 2x/3x per week option. To register, text and use promo code “ADK fit” to 518-522-9765. Malta Community Center, Malta. facebook.com/rockyourfitnessllc.
ADK Free Weekend Programs. Fri, 7-8:30pm: Winter Stargazing Hikes or Lectures. Sat, 10-11:30am: Recording Nature: Art of Journaling. Sun, 10-11:30am: Guided Birding Walks. ADK Cascade Welcome Center, Lake Placid. adk.org.
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