X-Country & Telemark Skiing

Nordic skiing is one of the best ways to experience winter in Lake Placid. Avoid the busy lines and lifts, and go at your own pace through the Adirondack wilderness.

Instead of being stuck in a gym all winter, strap on a pair of skis, grab some poles, and hit the Lake Placid cross-country skiing trails for a workout that offers the sights, scents and sounds of the Adirondack wilderness. Nordic skiers visit Lake Placid each winter to enjoy traditional cross-country skiing on groomed trails, backcountry skiing off trails and telemark skiing for the best of both.

Cross-country skiing is an excellent way for those who don't downhill ski to enjoy a day of peace in nature. Besides taking a tour of the forest along groomed trails at some of the area's ski centers, there are many free backcountry skiing trails. Many cross-country skiing routes double as Adirondack snowshoeing trails. Glide your way from Keene in the high peaks region to Paul Smith's via Lake Placid and Saranac Lake on the popular Jackrabbit Trail. You can also pick up the trail at one of four cross-country ski centers that dot the trail.

The Lake Placid Loppet – a 25K or 50K cross-country skiing race held at the Olympic Sports Complex since 1982 — is a worthy challenge to those looking to test their endurance. From ski marathoners, to families spending an hour skiing on frozen Mirror Lake, the Adirondacks offers a seemingly endless variety of options for cross-country skiing in the Northeast.Training for a summer road race? Did you know that cross-country skiing is a virtually unmatched cardiovascular exercise, significantly increasing your lung capacity? Replace your gym's elliptical machine with a pair of skis and poles and glide through this total body workout in the great outdoors!

Telemark skiing, most noted for the special "tele turn," combines elements of downhill and cross-country skiing in one for the ability to enjoy a free-heeled journey down slopes. Adirondack licensed guides are a great resource for learning proper telemark skiing technique. A great transition from cross-country to downhill or vice versa, telemark skiing combines using your edges with the free-heeled design of cross-country skis. Test your telemark skills in the Adirondack backcountry, or on Whiteface Mountain.

Whether you're seeking backcountry adventures or groomed trails, Lake Placid has something for beginners and experts alike.

Before heading out, be sure to check the latest Adirondack cross country ski conditions.