We are gearing up for the snow with a visit to Cascade Cross Country Ski Center, outside of Lake Placid. We always update our equipment there and manage to find quite a few deals. We have even trained our children to head right back to the consignment corner. The nice thing is the staff always helps us find exactly what we need.

view from Cascade Ski Center
View from Cascade Cross-Country Ski Center

The other nice thing is once we are there we have all the necessities around us, 20K of groomed trails, restaurant, ski shop and even lessons. We don't take advantage of all the options all the time. Since it is so convenient to go, we can hit the trails whenever we want.

 We have yet to find the time to be able to stay in the dorm-style lodging, but plan to when we complete the Jackrabbit Trail this winter. When the snow is deep enough, we look forward to knowing that a nice warm bed and relaxing meal by the fire awaits us. Cascade Cross-Country Ski Center's property connects the segment of the Jackrabbit trail between Keene and Lake Placid, requiring a trail fee.

bobsled at Cascade Ski Center
Look for fun antique skis and a bobsled around the Cascade Cross Country Ski Center

For an unusally experience, each winter season Cascade Cross Country Ski Center celebrates the full moon with trails lit for skiing. This year's events will take place January 26 and February 23, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. – midnight. It is an adult only experience with bonfires, hot dogs, hot chocolate and beer. Enjoy the groomed trails and bonfires, then come inside and warm up by the fireplace while listening to live music. 

The wonderful thing about cross-country skiing, it is an activity that a family can do by simply pulling over to a familiar trailhead, strapping on your skies and hitting the trail. My Adirondack guide husband recommends that you only adventure out on an evening ski or snowshoe if you are familiar with the trail, have proper equipment, safety gear packed and always with a buddy.

Don't worry about venturing off, Cascade Ski Center has rentals, ski shop and lessons available for all level of Nordic skier. Enjoy the snow! Diane Chase is the author of Adirondack Family Time Tri-Lakes and High Peaks: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities.

Cascase Ski Center fireplace
Warm up by the fire