Mirror Lake - Winter

  • Lake Placid

Lake Placid is a village in the mountains, and few things make that more evident than Mirror Lake. Sparkling in the winter snow, it beckons from behind the downtown buildings, as visitors and locals explore the frozen lake while taking in views of the nearby High Peaks. Like any good Adirondack lake, there are a number of ways to enjoy it year round. We’re talking snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding. Pick-up and tournament pond hockey games are plentiful. If you enjoy Mirror Lake in winter, don't forget to check it out in summer, too - it's a miraculous place year round.

Mirror Lake in winter

Mirror Lake is action-packed on a winter day — dog sleds cruise the snow-covered ice, pond hockey games fill the air with cheers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers explore the lake, and recreational skaters take advantage of the free plowed track that circumnavigates the entire lake. 

Ice skating and hockey 

Every winter, when the ice is at least a foot thick, workers with the town of North Elba plow and maintain a 2-mile long ice track around the perimeter of Mirror Lake, as well as space for pond hockey. The town beach is the ideal place from which to access both the rinks and the track, and since it’s close to downtown warm food and drinks aren’t far!

The track and hockey rinks are free to use and open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Toboggan chute

This 30-foot high converted ski jump trestle sends toboggans down an ice-covered chute onto Mirror Lake, where they can coast across the ice for more than 1,000 feet. Hours vary depending on weather conditions. Contact the Lake Placid Visitors Center for more information at (518) 523-2445.

Dog sleds

Mush! When the ice is thick enough, join mushers and fun-enthusiasts for pure joy on Mirror Lake. Dog sled rides are a unique experience, and, best of all, don't require any reservations or pre-planning. You can walk right up and take a ride!