Adirondack Events and Holiday Festivals to Warm Things Up This Winter Season

Lake George Winter Carnival Celebrates 50th Anniversary

ADIRONDACK REGION, NY - The Adirondack Winter Season is a time of celebration and fun-in-the-snow. When others are shivering and groaning about shoveling driveways, Adirondack vacationers and locals alike are enjoying hundreds of miles of cross-country ski trails, full moon ski parties and a multitude of New York winter festivals.

The 2010-2011 winter season is just weeks away, and towns and villages throughout the Adirondacks will soon be hanging lights, grooming ski trails and looking forward to fireworks, parades and the annual winter festivals that make the season fun. VisitAdirondacks.com offers an upstate New York guide to all Adirondack winter events.

February 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the Lake George Winter Carnival and this year's month-long celebration promises to hold surprises and fun. On February 20, racer Glenn Brittian will attempt to make history with a Guinness World Record for the fastest speed on ice in a rocket sled. The record is 253mph, and Glenn will attempt to reach a speed of 300 mph to break the record. Every weekend in February holds a carnival highlight, including the Polar Bear Plunge where more than 800 swimmers jump into the chilly waters of Lake George, outhouse races, a historical encampment of the 1700s, cook-off competitions, a Mardi Gras parade and fireworks. Check out VisitLakeGeorge.com for a complete schedule of events.

North of Lake George is the historic town of Saranac Lake, host to the distinguished Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. This February 4-13, 2011, thousands of revelers will celebrate the 114th anniversary of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. As the longest running event of its kind in the eastern U.S., visitors and residents both look forward to the annual Gala Parade on Saturday, February 12th, the Ladies' Fry Pan Toss, ski races at Mount Pisgah and the lighting of the Ice Palace. Check out AdirondackLakes.com for more information.

These are real community events and residents of Saranac Lake and Lake George truly pour their souls into making these winter carnivals fun and successful for everyone.

Can't make it? Here are a few more Adirondack winter events:

• FIBT World Cup Bobsled and Skeleton in Lake Placid, December 19, 2010. The world's top bobsled and skeleton athletes will compete at the Olympic Sports Complex, marking their fourth stop on the World Cup Tour. 
• East Coast SnoCross in Plattsburgh, January 8-9, 2011. World class athletes fly, flip and soar on their sleds. Featuring the season's biggest show by Rave-X Outer Limits Freestyle team.
  
• Annual Winter Carnival in Long Lake, January 15, 2011. Sports contests with cash prizes, free ice-skating and sledding.
• Winter Carnival in Massena, February 4-6, 2011. Three-day event with hockey tournaments, dog sled races, fireworks, parade and more.
  
• River Shiver in Ogdensburg, February 12-20, 2011. An eight-day festival celebrating winter with ice-fishing and hockey tournaments, a Polar Bear Plunge and a reenactment of the 1812 Battle of Ogdensburg.
  
• Canton Winterfest in Canton, February 10-19, 2011. A week long festival for families with special performances, dinners, contests and a chili cook-off.
  
• Frozen Fire & Lights in Inlet, February 19, 2011. Bonfire and fireworks, free sledding, ice-skating and cross-country skiing, treats and cocoa.
• Winter Carnival in Raquette Lake, February 19, 2011. Ladies' fry pan toss, men's golf drive, tug of war, bonfire and fireworks.
• Winter Weekend in Hague, February 19-20, 2011. Polar Bear Plunge, firemen's breakfast and more.

Several Adirondack lodging properties are offering holiday packages throughout the season. For a complete list of Adirondack winter carnivals, festivals, events and more, check out VisitAdirondacks.com.