Snowshoe Opportunities in the Adirondack Wilderness

The Adirondack Regional Tourism Council offers information about a new property, trends, safety tips and hot spots for one of the fastest-growing activities

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - The Adirondack Regional Tourism Council is offering information for visitors about snowshoeing in the Adirondack wilderness. The region has always been well-known for outdoor recreational activities in a natural setting. This year, some new properties and attractions offer additional opportunities for both newbies and experts to take part in one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities. The 2005 Outdoor Recreation Participation Study has identified snowshoeing as one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States with over 5.5 million participants. The sport has experienced 83 percent growth since 1997. Many properties and attractions in the Adirondacks have been a part of this trend for years, offering snowshoes free of charge to guests, developing trail systems throughout various properties and offering vacation packages that incorporate a snowshoeing element. One newly-built property, The Fern Lodge, embraces the snowy season and encourages guests to take part in this fast-growing sport. "Many of our guests enjoy being able to spend time outdoors, taking in the spectacular scenery and fresh air," said Sharon Taylor, owner of The Fern Lodge. "We offer snowshoes to our guests so that they can easily hike throughout the property during the winter months. Our guests are often very pleased to discover, since they have never tried to snowshoe before, that it is a very simple sport to learn." The six million acres of Adirondack wilderness in upstate New York offers hundreds of places for individuals and families to try out this popular activity, with thousands of miles of trails, open fields and Nordic centers that suit all abilities. Snowshoeing is an exciting outdoor activity in which most people can participate. The sport is inexpensive, has an almost immediate learning curve, and can be performed on a variety of terrain. Snowshoers are welcomed on most back country ski and hiking trails in the Adirondacks, according to Ann Melious, executive director of the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council. "Snowshoers can take a casual hike in the woods, a walk around a field, an alpine climb or even an overnight backpacking trip," she commented. "Trailheads are easily accessible, since they are located throughout the park along its highways and back roads. No matter where visitors find themselves, they can be assured that there will be snowshoeing nearby. Visitors can, quite literally, park in one of the roadside lots located throughout the region, take their snowshoes out of the car and set off on a trek through the woods." Even though the sport has been honed for more than 6,000 years, the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council offers safety tips one should take when setting out on a snowshoe adventure. For a short day trip, participants should bring a daypack with the following:

• pack with extra winter gear;
  
• multi-tool;
  
• compass or GPS and map;
  
• nylon cord and extra binding material for repairs;
  
• food such as energy bars, granola and hard candy;
  
• whistle;
  
• prescription medicine;
  
• bottle of water in an insulator to prevent freezing
• extra socks.
  

One smart tip, according to Rick Kovacs, owner of Packbasket Adventures and licensed Adirondack guide, is to spray the snowshoe claws with silicone to help prevent snow from sticking. He also reminds people that it's vital to know where they're trekking, to let someone know where they're going, and that people should always pay attention to the weather. The Adirondack region is filled with opportunities for snowshoeing; from rugged expeditions in the High Peaks to gentle, groomed paths suitable for novices, with hundreds of miles of intermediate trails in between. The following are some of the most popular and beautiful snowshoeing destinations in the region: The Fern Lodge offers its guests the opportunity to snowshoe throughout its 70 acre property. Snowshoes are available for guests' use. www.TheFernLodge.com Packbasket Adventures in Wanakena is an Adirondack lodge and guide service. It offers packages as well as guided snowshoeing trips into the surrounding Adirondacks and Five-Ponds Wilderness Area. www.PackbasketAdventures.com The Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Centers located in both Newcomb and Paul Smiths have approximately 9.5 miles of snowshoe trails available. The centers offer snowshoes to visitors at no charge. www.AdirondackVic.org The Bark Eater Inn located in Keene, offers twenty kilometers of trails for cross-country skiing through the meadows and woodlands of this former working farm. The inn's trail system also connects to the famed Jackrabbit Trail, a 35-mile regional trail system through the high peaks region of the Adirondacks. www.Barkeater.com Titus Mountain in Malone has snowshoe rentals and designated snowshoe trails. www.TitusMountain.com The Verizon Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid has 50 kilometers of regularly groomed Olympic trails for snowshoers and cross-country skiers of all abilities. www.orda.org Garnet Hill Cross-Country Ski Center in North River has a great network of snowshoe trails intertwined among groomed ski trails. Services include complete ski shop with rentals, sales and repairs, lessons, night skiing, guided tours, restaurant and lodging. www.Garnet-Hill.com Lapland Lake Cross-Country Ski Center in Northville has 50 kilometers of trails for snowshoeing and skiing. Services include warming lodge, retail and rental shops, wax room, ski instruction, snack bar, restaurant and lodging. www.LaplandLake.com Robert Moses State Park in Massena has 12 miles of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails, including a lodge with fireplace, parking as well as snowshoe and ski rentals. 315-769-8663 Point Au Roche Park along Lake Champlain in Beekmantown has great snowshoeing with tremendous views. 518-563-0369 The Adirondack Regional Tourism Council can provide information about winter recreation and events throughout the region. Contact the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council at 800-487-6867, or visit www.VisitAdirondacks.com for more information.