Lake Placid: Nordic Paradise

by Brooks Reynolds on January 17, 2023

Lake Placid, New York is a winter sports paradise, and one of the best ways to experience the area’s natural beauty is by hitting the trails at one of the many Nordic ski centers in and around the town. These centers offer a variety of terrain for skiers of all abilities, from beginner to expert, and provide a great way to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors during the colder months.

With two Olympic gold medals and eight World Championship titles under her belt, four-time Olympic biathlete, Andrea Henkel Burke, decided to call Lake Placid home following her retirement. In her own words, “Lake Placid is a Nordic paradise. You can not only find 3!!! Nordic Centers with groomed trails for all levels within 3 miles, here are also endless off trail and backcountry skiing options right in town or close by. It never gets old.”

One of the most popular Nordic ski centers in the Lake Placid area is the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Cross-Country Ski Center. This center offers over 48-kilometers of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking. The trails are set in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The center also has snowmaking capabilities, a warm-up cabin and equipment rental facilities, making it a great option for visitors who don’t have their own gear.

The new Scotts Cobble Nordic Center features 10 kilometers of groomed trails for skating and classic skiing on a lit trail network. Experience magical night skiing in motion-detector lights. The Nordic Center is along the Jackrabbit trail connector. It is a 5-kilometer ski from Lake Placid village to the west and has a heated lodge with restrooms, ski and rental shop, refreshments and showers.

The Adirondack Mountain Club’s Cascade Welcome Center, formerly known as Cascade X-C Ski Center, contains a 20-kilometer trail network of groomed cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Welcome Center also has other recreation opportunities such as cross-country skiing clinics, ski maintenance workshops, naturalist walks, and family-friendly events. The lodge also has ski equipment available for rent.

Another great option for Nordic skiers in Lake Placid is the Jackrabbit Trail. This 50-kilometer trail runs from Keene, through Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, to Paul Smiths. It is a trail that connects with four ski centers and several backcountry routes along the way. The sections of the trail which pass through the groomed trails of Whiteface Club, Lake Placid Club and Cascade Welcome Center **do not require a trail fee so long as skiers stay on the marked Jackrabbit Trail. Snowshoeing is also permitted on all sections of the trail.

If you’re looking for a more remote Nordic skiing experience, the High Peaks Wilderness is another great option. This area offers miles of backcountry trails that take skiers through some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the Adirondacks. These trails are not groomed, so they’re best for experienced skiers who are comfortable navigating through the wilderness. Make sure you know before you go, check with Local Guides at High Peaks Cyclery, Cascade Welcome Center, or online before you head out into the backcountry.

In conclusion, Lake Placid, New York offers a variety of Nordic ski centers that provide trails suitable for every type of skier. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skier, you’re sure to find a trail that suits your needs and offers a fantastic outdoor experience in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. So, head up to the mountains and enjoy the some of best Nordic ski centers in the world!