Top 10 things to do this winter in Saranac Lake

It's no secret that Saranac Lake is a gem to behold in every season, especially in winter. With its close proximity to your favorite outdoor pastimes, fresh powdery snow framing a charming downtown, and a community humming with snow-loving folk just like yourself, it's hard to find something not to love this season! We’ve prepared a list of 10 things to look forward to this winter, so come take a look!

Skate at the Saranac Lake Civic Center

Get ready to glide into a winter wonderland at the Saranac Lake Civic Center! From public skating sessions and hockey tournaments to figure skating exhibits and curling events, this hub for winter excitement has it all. After undergoing major renovations for the 2023 Lake Placid World University Games, the center now features some of the finest ice around, complete with new locker rooms, bathrooms, and a cozier interior—a unanimous win for skaters and fans alike! The Civic Center's events calendar is brimming with opportunities to embrace the ice and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow winter enthusiasts.

Saranac Lake offers an additional icy delight, with an outdoor rink on Lake Flower, located just in front of the picturesque Saranac Waterfront Lodge. Depending on ice conditions, visitors can enjoy a brisk skate and then warm up with toasty drinks at The Boathouse, creating a perfect blend of winter magic and lakeside charm.

Discover wildlife at Paul Smith’s VIC

Paul Smith's VIC (Visitor Interpretive Center) offers a magical winter escape. Surrounding the visitor center is a 25-mile trail network that provides year-round environmental education and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Traverse through tranquil forests and frozen wetlands as you cross-country ski or snowshoe, keeping your eyes peeled for signs of local wildlife amidst the snow-covered trees. The trails are open from dawn to dusk, with proper grooming all season long. 

While we have you, check out their interactive classes and events, including live Music over the Marsh, held every Saturday and Sunday, all winter long! Enjoy food at the Heron Marsh Cafe while you listen to regional musicians. 

A day at Mount Pisgah

Sledding, skiing, and snowboarding come together at Saranac Lake’s resident ski mountain, Mount Pisgah. This local gem has a friendly, laid-back vibe perfect for families or beginners, offering gentle slopes with enough room to practice your "pizza" turns or even try new downhill tricks. Looking to add some chill to your night? Night skiing can be found here as well, keeping the party going well after dark. If skiing isn’t quite your style, their tubing hill packs just as much of a punch. Glide to the top of the hill with the rope tow, then gear up for a race on their two run inner tube lanes. Which lane is faster? That’s a secret!

A bonus, this small but mighty mountain recently upgraded their snow-making equipment, making for ideal winter conditions all season long.

More sledding!

Lucky for you downhill-enjoyers, Saranac Lake is surrounded by plenty of hills primed with snow, perfect for sledding. If you're looking for an old-fashioned thrill, grab a sled and hit the hills in town, such as the North Country Community College (NCCC) field. This hidden gem is a local favorite, offering a gentle slope for younger kids or anyone who loves the rush of a good sled ride. The best part? It’s free fun for all!

Trek the Adirondack Rail Trail

Saranac Lake beckons thrill-seekers to explore the Adirondack wilderness in a whole new way this winter. Whether you're a seasoned trail traverser or a first-timer, the Adirondack Rail Trail caters to all levels of expertise. With recent improvements, the 34-mile, multi-use stretch now connects Tupper Lake, Lake Clear, Saranac Lake, Raybrook, and Lake Placid, making winter recreation more inviting than ever. Smooth, level trails provide optimal conditions for snow travel, like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and of course, snowmobiling! 

With minimal snow cover, the trail connects you to vibrant communities offering everything from bars and restaurants to lodging and gas. As a wide range of users access the trail daily, be cautious and yield to the shoulder of the trails when possible. For those without a snowmobile, but definitely interested, rentals and guides are available to explore snowmobiling in Saranac Lake!

Family fun

Ready to go beyond the ordinary? In Saranac Lake, you’ll find a wide variety of family-friendly activities to suit your kiddos’ interests. Take a ride on the ADK Carousel, where each hand-carved animal is a nod to Adirondack wildlife. Right nearby, PlayADK provides interactive indoor exhibits perfect for kids. For the bookworms, the Saranac Lake Free Library offers a wide range of stories to choose from, curated by a devoted network of locals that love reading just as much as you! Check out Goody Goody Game Nights at Goody Goody’s Toys and Games for some friendly competition, or head back to the library for more children's programming and game nights. 

Just a short drive away, take your explorers to The Wild Center in nearby Tupper Lake. The Wild Center has a 54,000-square-foot indoor space filled with live exhibits, multi-media shows, and tons of hands-on experiences. There are trails like the Wild Walk, taking visitors up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest, and staff ready and willing to answer questions about anything having to do with the wild world of the Adirondacks.

Speaking of wild, make a special stop at the ADK Center for Loon Conservation. Explore the interactive exhibits about loon natural history and behavior, conservation, and discover the work of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. While at the Center, visit the gift shop and pick up the perfect gift for the loon-lover in your life. Whether it's inside or out, Saranac Lake makes family time fun for all ages, even in winter!

Immerse yourself in the arts

Saranac Lake’s art scene shines year-round, and winter is no exception. Visit local galleries to take in rotating exhibits, or dive into creativity with classes at studios in town. ADK Artrise and Bluseed Studios are where you’ll see artists thrive, and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! You can learn anything from painting to pottery—perfect for warming up those creative muscles during the colder months. Keep an eye out for special winter art shows that spotlight local talent and bring the Adirondacks to life through art.

Explore Dewey Mountain’s trails

Leaving Main Street, Dewey Mountain's well-marked trails offer a healthy mix of terrain for any level of cross-country skier or snowshoer this season. The groomed trails cater to all abilities, offering a peaceful escape into the serene winter wilderness. What's more, all the trails are one-way, so you won’t have to worry about oncoming traffic! Most lower trails are lit for night use (with new lights), so there’s no need to race back to the car when the sun goes down. When you’re ready to warm up, head back to their warming lodge with cocoa, coffee, and restrooms available. 

Plus, Dewey often hosts community events, making it more than just a trailhead. Check out their Youth Ski League, their Lil’ Shufflers program (it’s as adorable as it sounds), or their XC ski and snowshoe swaps held throughout the season. 

Unique events 

Saranac Lake’s winter calendar is jam-packed with unique events that highlight the village’s fun and quirky spirit. Celebrate New Year's Eve at the North Country New Year’s Eve event, or immerse yourself in the legendary Winter Carnival, complete with parades, fireworks, and the iconic Ice Palace, crafted from ice harvested right from Lake Flower!

Winter festivals and community gatherings dot the season, along with businesses hosting their own event calendars, making for a winter full of live music, community togetherness, and sweet chilly memories. 

Live music and entertainment: sounds of Saranac Lake

End your day on a high note in Saranac Lake by immersing yourself in live music at popular venues like Waterhole Music Lounge, The Garagery, Hotel Saranac, and Bitters & Bones. With a diverse range of musical genres, there's something for every ear.

But the entertainment doesn't stop there! Saranac Lake also boasts unique offerings like story slams and workshops at the Adirondack Center for Writing, and Grizle T's Garagery has become a hotbed for offbeat fun, featuring comedy shows and their Monday night Hootenanny. Discover a different kind of evening excitement in the heart of Saranac Lake!

Embrace the chill

Saranac Lake's winter wonderland beckons with a plethora of activities that cater to all tastes and preferences. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie, a culture seeker, or someone who simply enjoys the beauty of a snowy landscape, Saranac Lake has something special in store for you this winter. Embrace the chill and make lasting memories in this idyllic Adirondack village.