The annual Vintage Snowmobile Races on Lake Harris in Newcomb are back!

Join us for a thrilling winter spectacle at the annual Vintage Snowmobile Races on Lake Harris in Newcomb! This event promises a day of high-speed excitement on the glistening ice of Lake Harris.

The action unfolds at the picturesque Lake Harris Boat Launch, where vintage snowmobile enthusiasts from far and wide will gather to witness these classic machines in action. The event is not only a celebration of speed but also a nostalgic trip down memory lane, showcasing the timeless beauty of vintage snowmobiles.

Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025 AND February 22, 2025

Time: Races start at 10 a.m.

Don't miss out on the fun! Mark your calendars, bundle up, and join us for a day of vintage snowmobile excitement on Lake Harris. Let's create memories, celebrate the winter season, and make this event a roaring success! We can't wait to see everyone there!

Winter Wonderland

Escape to a winter wonderland at The Lodge, where festive fun awaits the whole family! Our weekends are packed with delightful activities, from cozy breakfasts with Santa and holiday-themed crafts to lively snow tube races and scenic snowshoeing adventures. Sip warm cider and cocoa while carolers fill the lobby with cheer, enjoy holiday movies, s’mores around the campfire, and the dazzling Parade of Lights. Unwind each evening with festive dinners, live music, and even a relaxing soak in our pool and hot tub. Every moment is designed to make your family’s winter getaway truly magical!

These fun-filled weekends are free for both guests & the public to attend!*

Friday

• 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Breakfast Buffet at The Bevy
  Begin your winter adventure with a hearty breakfast to fuel your day.

• 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Lunch at The Brown Swan
  Relish a cozy lunch featuring seasonal Winter Wonderland specials.

• 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Snowy Sips & Treats in the Lobby
  Warm up with hot cider, cocoa, and cookies while carolers fill the air with holiday cheer.

• 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Winter Wonderland Dinner at The Brown Swan
  Enjoy a festive dinner with special holiday dishes. Reservations encouraged.

• 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Campfire and S’mores
  Gather around the campfire for s’mores and storytelling under the stars.

• 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Sugar Plum Express Wagon Ride
  Board the sugarplum chariot for a dazzling tour of the resort’s holiday lights.

• 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Live Music at The Tavern
  End the night with live music, unique drink specials, and a lively atmosphere.

Saturday

• 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Breakfast Buffet at The Bevy
  Start your day with a delicious breakfast to kick off the weekend’s festivities.

• 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Pancakes & Photos with Santa at The Bevy
  Enjoy a magical breakfast with Santa, choice of festive crafts: ornament making, gingerbread house displays and yarn snowflakes (9-11am), and holiday photos.

• 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Explore & Unwind
  Discover all-day, family-friendly adventures! Check out the Frosty Trails Sticker Hunt, Adirondack Canoe Quest, and holiday coloring sheets at the front desk.

• 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Snowy Sips & Treats in the Lobby
  Delight in warm cider, cocoa, and cookies with festive carols filling the lobby.

• 4:00 PM: Official Letter from Santa Claus
  When families book the Lodging Family Christmas Package, little ones are in for a magical surprise! Upon check-in, children will receive a personalized letter from Santa himself, straight from the North Pole, to start their holiday stay with unforgettable cheer

• 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Sweet Treats Game Hour in the Main Lodge*
  Enjoy board games, game room fun, and a dessert buffet. Head to the pool for tunes and splashes!

• 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Winter Wonderland Dinner at The Brown Swan
  Treat yourself to a festive dinner with seasonal favorites. Reservations encouraged.

• 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Campfire and S’mores
  Cozy up by the fire for s’mores, stories, and stargazing.

• 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Sugar Plum Express Wagon Ride
  Experience holiday magic on a chariot ride through the resort's dazzling lights.

• 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Holiday Bingo Bash in The High Peaks Ballroom (not offered Saturday, December 14th, 2024)
  Join us for a festive game of holiday bingo with fun prizes for all ages!

• 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Live Music at The Tavern
  Cap off the night with live music and unique drink specials at The Tavern.

Sunday

• 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Jingle Bell Buffet at The Bevy
  Enjoy a festive breakfast and choice of festive crafts: ornament making, gingerbread house displays and yarn snowflakes (9-11am), perfect for families to create new traditions.

• 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Lunch at The Brown Swan
  Unwind with a cozy midday meal featuring Winter Wonderland specials.

• 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Snowy Sips & Treats in the Lobby
  Sip on hot cocoa and cider with cookies as a sweet ending to your winter getaway.

• 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Winter Evening Retreat: Warmth & Relaxation*
  Unwind in our pool, hot tub, and sauna. Book a special package to enjoy a wine and chocolate bundle, ideal for a cozy night in after a day of festive fun.

All Day Activities:

• Frosty Trails Sticker Hunt
  Collect stickers from local businesses and win enchanting prizes!

• Adirondack Canoe Quest
  Discover hidden green canoe ornaments around the resort for a chance at exciting prizes.

• Holiday Coloring
  Pick up festive coloring sheets for creative fun with the whole family.

Let us craft your family’s winter wonderland escape, filled with enchanting activities and unforgettable holiday moments!

Camp Santanoni's annual Winter Weekends are back!

Join us for a ski or snowshoe during Camp Santanoni's annual Winter Weekends! You'll be able to go into the Gate Lodge and Main Lodge of the Camp, view displays about the Great Camp and take short interpretive tours with Adirondack Architectural Heritage volunteers. The 10-mile round trip on gently rolling terrain will take you past the Santanoni Farm and through the Forest Preserve on a wide, old road (no vehicle access).

Stop into the Gate Lodge Visitors Center to see interpretive displays and borrow snowshoes provided by the Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) if needed. The Artist’s Studio, a stone building near the Main Lodge on the shores of Newcomb Lake, will be open as a warming hut. Enjoy free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate by the woodstove (bring a cup if you can, but we'll have plenty available!). Visitors are also encouraged to take the half-mile trail that connects the Santanoni Road to the AIC’S 3.6-mile trail system. The center’s buildings will be open during the weekend.

Dates: 

• January 18-20,
• February 15-17
• March 15-16

Hosted by the Adirondack Architectural Heritage, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Town of Newcomb.

Follow the Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) and Camp Santanoni and Santanoni Preserve social media pages for up-to-date ski conditions!

NOTE: Winter conditions can change quickly in the backcountry. Be prepared with extra warm clothing and adequate supplies for your trip.

North Country New Year Festival

Review the 2024 schedule here! The 2025 schedule will be announced this fall!

New Year's Eve in Saranac Lake is decidedly entertaining and full of excitement for the whole family. Join us for live music and activities throughout the village. 

Building on the success of the 2023 and 2024 celebrations—which showcased thrilling new performers alongside beloved returning acts—2025 promises to be the biggest and best North Country New Year yet. Enthusiastic audiences filled venues across the village last year, creating memories to last a lifetime.

Last year's lineup included:

• Folk rock band Driftwood headlining Town Hall

• The Gaslight Tinkers, playing a dance-happy blend of old-time fiddle, funk, Caribbean and African music

• Hip-hop harp music from Küf Knotz and Christine Elise

• Flamenco-to-bluegrass virtuosos Maria Zemantauski and Sten Isachsen

• Ever-popular local favorites, the ‘50s/’60s revivalists Frankie & the Moonlighters

• The rafter-rattling Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir

• Hilarious comedy act by Moody McCarthy and Completely Stranded

• New this year, a kids carnival, featuring balloon animals, caricatures, and face painting, along with performances from the legendary "Bubble Man" Jeff Boyer and juggler extraordinaire Stephen Gratto

• Ice skating at the Saranac Lake Civic Center

• Game night and hot chocolate bar at Historic Saranac Lake's Laboratory Museum

• Make-and-take art projects at ADK ArtRise

• Dance lessons at the Dance Sanctuary

• Rides on the Adirondack Carousel

• Breathtaking fire dancing by Smoke Show Fire Co.

• A spectacular Fireworks Display

Download and Print the full schedule here!

Stay tuned for updates as we announce this year’s performances and activities. Let’s make 2025 the most unforgettable North Country New Year yet!

Admission:

The artfully designed button serves as your admission to all events during North Country New Year. Buttons can be picked up at the Harrietstown Town Hall/Welcome Center on December 31. Please ensure you bring proof of purchase.

Admission Rates:

• $20 per person
• $15 for seniors
• Free for children under 18

Missed the online window? Don’t worry—remaining buttons will be available all day tomorrow at the Saranac Lake Welcome Center, located at 39 Main Street in the Harrietstown Town Hall, or at event venues during the celebration. Please note, all remaining sales are cash only.
 

Naturally North Country Christmas - 2024

Step into the magic of the season! Head to the Hancock House in Ticonderoga for a holiday experience like no other, open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Explore four floors brimming with stunning holiday decor, all handcrafted by our talented volunteers. Each room is a unique celebration of the best the season has to offer! 

Don't miss this chance to feel the holiday spirit come alive. Bring family, friends, and a love for all things Christmas! 

5-Day Artist Retreat at Schroon Lake

Unleash your creativity at a 5-day artist retreat, perfect for artists of all skill levels. Nestled on 14 acres of tranquil, wooded property along the shores of Schroon Lake, Terra Alta Vintage Cottages—a family-owned gem since 1954—offers the perfect throwback vibe to inspire your artistic journey.

Led by renowned artist Michelle Shain, this retreat features daily painting sessions, hands-on classes, and live demonstrations. Dive into techniques like selecting compelling subject matter, designing engaging compositions, crafting cohesive color palettes, painting with gouache and watercolor, experimenting with hand-lettering, and journaling your artistic process.

Highlights of the Retreat:

• Art Classes & Demonstrations: Sessions take place in the charming Rec Hall and on the spacious 30’ porch overlooking the serene lake.
• Personalized Guidance: Michelle Shain will be available throughout to provide support and feedback.
• Small Group Experience: Limited to 14 participants for a focused, intimate learning environment.
• Art Supply List: A recommended list will be shared in June 2025, giving you plenty of time to prepare.

Whether you're just starting out or seeking fresh inspiration, this retreat offers an enriching experience in a breathtaking setting.

Frosty Feathers: Owls in the Winter Woods

Saturday, February 1st, 6pm

Join us at the Adirondack Interpretive Center for an evening all about owls! Discover the fascinating adaptations that make these stealthy hunters masters of the night and cold. Afterward, we’ll embark on a quiet walk along the Rich Lake Trail, listening for the calls of native owls in their natural habitat. Learn how these elusive creatures survive and thrive in the harsh Adirondack winters! Pre-register by emailing shample@esf.edu.

Bushcraft: Survive and Thrive

Join us for a hands-on, four-part bushcraft workshop series where you'll learn essential wilderness survival skills! Each session focuses on a different element critical to thriving in the outdoors:

Saturday, January 25th - 11am – Fire – Learn fire-starting techniques using natural materials, from friction to flint, including how to start fires in inclement weather.

Saturday, February 22nd – 11am – Water - Learn how to filter and purify water for drinking and cooking, while also exploring various methods to cook in the wilderness using minimal gear and natural resources.

Saturday, March 22nd – 11am – Shelter – Explore shelter-building methods with natural resources to create secure, weatherproof structures that protect from the elements.

Saturday, April 26th – 9am – Land Navigation - Learn essential land navigation skills, including map reading, compass use, and route planning, to confidently explore the outdoors.

Perfect for beginners and seasoned adventurers alike, these workshops will equip you with vital bushcraft skills for your next wilderness experience!

Register for one or all four- limit of 15

To register use the link https://forms.gle/3KJCmxUbqCosk5aF9 

Glow in the Snow Luminary Walk

Saturday, January 18th, 6pm-8pm

This self-guided snowshoe walk on the Rich Lake Trail is perfect for families and friends alike. Snowshoe among the luminary lanterns placed along the trail and enjoy the beauty of the forest at night. After your walk, hang around the fire and enjoy some hot chocolate to warm up. Dress for the weather! Snowshoes are available.

Winter Wander Walk

Saturdays - January through March – 1pm

Excluding January 25th, February 22nd, and March 22nd

Join us for a relaxed, guided walk or snowshoe along the scenic Rich Lake Trail, where we’ll explore the history of the Huntington Wildlife Forest, the Adirondacks, and the region’s logging heritage. Along the way, we’ll discover whatever nature has in store for us! This easy 0.7-mile loop takes you through diverse habitats, including a raised boardwalk through a picturesque cedar swamp, and offers beautiful views of the Goodnow Fire Tower. Perfect for all skill levels, this trail promises a peaceful yet enriching experience in the heart of Adirondack nature. Snowshoes or microspikes available at the AIC.