Adirondack Snowshoe Fest

After hosting the 2017 World Snowshoe Championships, Saranac Lake leveraged this international experience to host a new snowshoe weekend called Adirondack Snowshoe Fest.

February 23 and 24, 2019

Saranac Lake: We call it home, you'll call it unforgettable

Snowshoeing at Dewey Mountain Recreation Center and the Paul Smith’s College VIC offers two different, uniquely Adirondack experiences.

Dewey’s trails twist and turn up the gentle slopes of the mountain, which is a short drive from downtown, while the base lodge provides a cozy meeting space for toe warming and friend making. The VIC is an Adirondack sampler — you’ll pass through every ecosystem in our forests except high alpine tundra as you explore the extensive trail network. The wide, well-marked paths skirt ponds, dip through open forest, and cross wetlands on boardwalks. You’ll love the scenery as much as the adventure!

In Saranac Lake, the excitement doesn’t end where the pavement begins. Book a room at Hotel Saranac and put yourself in the heart of downtown, where you’ll have access to a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. We’re talking diners and fine dining; souvenirs, books, pickles, and games; and art galleries and live music, all tucked within a highly walkable downtown that's surrounded by lakes and mountains.

2019 Schedule of Events

Saturday, Feb. 23 at Dewey Mountain Recreation Center:

10 a.m. Guided snowshoe tour
10:30 a.m. Registration Opens
1 p.m. 10KM Race & 5KM Shoe-Be-Doo Race
3 p.m. Awards ceremony
2:30 - 5 p.m. Chili in the Lodge

Sunday, Feb. 24 at Paul Smith's College VIC:

10 a.m. Naturalist Led Snowshoe Program
10:30 a.m. Race (5km)
10:30 a.m. Race (15km)
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Winter Forest Bathing Eco-trip
1 p.m. Awards ceremony
1 p.m. VIC Naturalist Led Snowshoe Program
1:30 – 3 p.m. Movie showing
2:30 – 5 p.m. Slojam! Live Folk Music in the Great Hall
All Day Family Snowshoe Scavenger Hunt
All Day Snowshoe Obstacle Course
Build-your-own snowshoe kits with Paul Smith’s College Students
Food and Beverages

5km Snowshoe Race

Racers will start and finish at the VIC, racing clockwise around the Heron Marsh. The course passes through gorgeous stands of hard and softwood forests, across a bog, and over a waterfall!

15km Snowshoe Race

The 15km course follows the 5km course route for the first lap, and goes the distance for our endurance racers. The course manages some serious hill climbs and passes by some beautiful winter vistas.

Winter Forest Bathing Eco-trip

Strap on a pair of snowshoes and let us take you on a unique Winter Forest Bathing walk. Your guide will help you open all your senses so you can take in all the sights, sounds, smells and textures of an Adirondack forest in winter. We will cover less than a mile on gentle terrain. Slow down, unplug and feel the magic of winter.

11am to 12:30pm
Adults and children 10 years and up welcome.
Complimentary snowshoes available on site (please arrive 15 minutes early to be fitted) or bring your own.
$20 per person
Please plan on wearing extra clothing and a hat as you will not be generating much heat during the eco-trip. More information about Winter Forest Bathing at adirondackriverwalking.com

Registration for all events can be found here.