Cross-country skiing in the Adirondacks
The Adirondacks are one of the East's great Nordic destinations — home to the Olympic trails at Mt Van Hoevenberg plus groomed touring centers (Lapland Lake, Cascade, Dewey Mountain, Garnet Hill) and the backcountry Jackrabbit Trail. Groomed centers charge a trail fee and rent gear; there's also endless free skiing on ungroomed state trails and rail trails. See the full skiing guide →
Groomed touring centers
- Mt Van Hoevenberg (Lake Placid) — the 1980 Olympic cross-country venue, with world-class groomed and skate lanes, snowmaking, a modern base lodge, rentals, and lessons. The gold standard, and beginner-friendly loops alongside the race trails.
- Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center (Northville) — a beloved Finnish-themed touring center in the southern Adirondacks with dense, well-groomed trails, on-site lodging, and rentals.
- Cascade Cross Country Ski Center (near Lake Placid) — groomed trails on Route 73 that connect toward the Jackrabbit system.
- Dewey Mountain (Saranac Lake) — a community center known for lit trails and night skiing, right in town.
- Garnet Hill Lodge (North River) — a classic lodge-and-trails destination in the southern-central Park, groomed through the hardwoods above Thirteenth Lake.
Backcountry & the Jackrabbit Trail
Beyond the touring centers, the Park is laced with ungroomed ski terrain — snow-covered hiking trails, unplowed truck roads, and the Jackrabbit Trail, a ~24-mile backcountry route linking Keene, Lake Placid, and Saranac Lake that connects several centers into one point-to-point tour. The trail directory is your map for the terrain; backcountry skiing is self-reliant — no grooming or patrol, so carry layers, navigation, and a plan.
Season & getting started
Season runs roughly mid-December into March, with the higher, northern centers holding snow longest and Van Hoevenberg's snowmaking extending both ends. New to it? Start at a groomed center with rentals and a lesson — classic (in-track) skiing is the gentle introduction; skate skiing is the faster, fitter cousin. See the winter guide for lodging and everything else while you're up.
Frequently asked
Where can you cross-country ski in the Adirondacks?+
The standouts are Mt Van Hoevenberg near Lake Placid (the 1980 Olympic Nordic venue, with world-class groomed trails and snowmaking), Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center near Northville, the Cascade Cross Country Ski Center, Dewey Mountain in Saranac Lake, and Garnet Hill Lodge in North River. For backcountry, the Jackrabbit Trail links the Tri-Lakes region.
Where should a beginner cross-country ski in the Adirondacks?+
A groomed touring center with rentals and lessons — Mt Van Hoevenberg and Lapland Lake both have gentle beginner loops, on-site rentals, and instruction. Groomed trails are far more forgiving for a first time than breaking your own track in the backcountry.
Is cross-country skiing in the Adirondacks free?+
The groomed touring centers charge a trail fee (which pays for the grooming). But there's abundant free skiing too — ungroomed state trails, unplowed roads, golf courses, and rail trails like the Adirondack Rail Trail. Free means self-reliant: no grooming, no patrol, and you break your own trail.
What is the Jackrabbit Trail?+
A roughly 24-mile backcountry cross-country ski trail that links Keene, Lake Placid, and Saranac Lake, named for skiing pioneer Herman 'Jackrabbit' Johannsen. It connects several touring centers and is maintained by the Barkeater Trails Alliance — a classic point-to-point Adirondack tour.
When is cross-country ski season in the Adirondacks?+
Roughly mid-December through March, snow depending. The higher, more northern centers (Mt Van Hoevenberg, Dewey Mountain) hold snow longest, and Van Hoevenberg's snowmaking can open early- and late-season loops when natural cover is thin.