Explore Winter
Saranac Lake is a small mountain town; a unique place born from its rich history and the contributions of the people who have called it home. From brazen and fun winter events to arts and culture, Saranac Lake makes a conscious effort to be distinctive. Visit for the day or for the weekend. We're here because we love it here — come see why, relax, and have some fun!
Winter Events
Saranac Lake is buzzing with activity all year-round, and winter is no different. Zany and creative expression has always been a core value of the community. Ring in the New Year at First Night with local music and parties all around town and at midnight, watch Saranac Lake's snowflake drop and fireworks over Lake Flower. In February, celebrate winter Saranac Lake style at the Winter Carnival! This 10-day event is packed with winter fun, from visiting the Ice Palace to parades to frying pan tosses. You don't want to miss a moment. Looking for a weekend snowshoe getaway? Look no further than Saranac Lake, as this is the destination for the Adirondack Snowshoe Fest. Join us at Dewey Mountain Recreation Center and Paul Smith's College Visitor Interpretive Center for two days filled with snowy adventures!
Indoor Winter
You don't have to be outdoors to enjoy winter! For some old-fashioned fun for all ages, ride the one of the hand-carved Adirondack animals at the Adirondack Carousel. Want to curl up with a good book? Stop by the Saranac Lake Free Library and while you're there, check out the Charles Dickert Wildlife Museum. Dive into local history at the Saranac Laboratory Museum, where you can learn about the history, science, and tuberculosis patient care that helped put Saranac Lake on the map. For the art lovers, downtown Saranac Lake has art of some kind around every corner. The many galleries in town host regular art openings that feature photography, painting, jewelry design, sculpture, and more. See a preformance at the Pendragon Theatre, the only year-round professional repertory in the Adirondacks. At BluSeed Studios, you can view contemporary art in the upstairs gallery, catch some live music, or take a workshop on the ground floor. After an authentically Adirondack day, visit one of the many unique restaurants or breweries to find some food and drink that will please every foodie in your family.
Outdoor Winter
Snow is a way of life here. If you’re new to winter outdoors sports, no worries. Local outfitters and ski centers will hook you up with all the gear and knowledge you’ll need for a fun day in the snow. At Dewey Mountain Recreation Center and Paul Smith's College Visitor Interpretive Center, family-friendly networks of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails are just a few minutes drive from downtown. Head over to Mount Pisgah for some downhill skiing, snowboarding, or tubing! For more advanced cross-country skiers, the over 30-mile long world-renowned Jackrabbit Ski Trail, which passes through some truly wild places, can be accessed in Saranac Lake. Saranac Lake is also an access point for the region's extensive snowmobile trail network that can take you throughout Franklin County and beyond. If the powdery snow isn’t your thing, maybe a frozen lake is! With so many different lakes and ponds to choose from, Saranac Lake is an ice-fishing paradise. And you don’t even need to leave town. With fishermen and women abound, it’s not hard to see that Lake Colby, across from the hospital, is a popular spot. Unsure of where to start? Hire a licensed guide to help you catch that prized landlocked salmon!
