XC on Mirror Lake
Try XC skiing on Mirror Lake
We have always been a four-season outside family. We ski, snowshoe and ice-skate in the winter.  Swim, sail, camp and hike in the summer and continue all those activities throughout the spring and fall.

Traditionally I am not one to venture across lakes and ponds in the winter without an entourage. I am a follower in that aspect, not a leader. In the center of Lake Placid there are visual indicators to easily see when the ice is thick enough to walk across the lake, skate upon or even take a dog sled ride on Mirror Lake.

XC Ski Mirror Lake
Beautiful view of the Adirondack High Peaks from Mirror Lake

One such indicator can be seen while shopping any of the Main Street stores. Mirror Lake is a beautiful place to ice skate. When you see that the Lake Placid hotels and resorts have cleared off ice skating rinks for their guests and the town of North Elba has cleared a space near the public beach for everyone else, the ice is probably safe. If the dog sleds are out then it's another way to know that it is safe to go out on the ice.

Though all the areas are still "skate or ski at your own risk," there are people out there testing the ice to make sure it is safe.

My children and I had just finished skate skiing lesson (more next week) and returned through Lake Placid for a nice lakeside lunch. Much to my surprise I saw a couple of skiers weaving their way through the public beach, around the Mirror Lake ice skating rink and toward the end of the lake. We are always so focused on our backcountry ski trips that I've forgotten what a pleasant ski Mirror Lake can be with the Adirondack High Peaks clearly visible and one that fits all skill levels.

Ski Mirror Lake
Skiing on Mirror Lake and enjoy the High Peaks View

The nice thing about a ski in the center of Lake Placid is no driving to get somewhere and for a lot of people staying in Lake Placid; it is nothing more than a step outside their door.

For those particular skiers, the lake was empty for the most part so they could enjoy their circumnavigation. The rest of us onlookers commented from our armchairs, envying the skiers on Mirror Lake.

photos ©Diane Chase. Diane is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities guidebook series. The first book, Adirondack Family Time Tri-Lakes and High Peaks: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities (with GPS coordinates) is in stores or online at www.adkfamilytime.com