Four ways to cross-country ski in the central Adirondacks
The heart of the Adirondack Park offers a spectacular winter playground, and Hamilton County stands out as an essential destination for cross-country (XC) ski enthusiasts of every stripe. Whether you are looking for a dedicated resort experience, free access to beautifully groomed community trails, the quiet reward of skiing to a historic Great Camp, or the adventure of deep backcountry skiing to a fire tower summit, this region has a unique path for your winter journey.
Hamilton County has a cross-country skiing resort
Hamilton County is home to the Lapland Lake XC Ski Center & Family Resort, a highly acclaimed, family-run resort dedicated to the quiet sports of winter. This resort maintains over 50 kilometers of trails, offering meticulously groomed tracks for both classic and skate skiing through serene forest landscapes, along with routes just for snowshoeing. You can stay right on the property in rustic, Finnish-inspired "tupas" (cabins) and take lessons before setting out on the expansive trail network. Located near the community of Northville and Sacandaga Lake, Lapland Lake makes a perfect base for a full, traditional Nordic ski getaway.
You can ski groomed trails for free
For an accessible and community-focused experience, the trails at Fern Park in Inlet offer high-quality cross-country skiing at no cost. This expansive network, with over 14 miles of groomed trail and an additonal 6+ miles of ungroomed sections, is regularly maintained, making it ideal for skiers of all levels. The area features a dedicated warming room for breaks, offers night skiing on several lit trails, and provides a large ice skating rink nearby for added fun. Fern Park is the perfect low-key spot for families and friends to enjoy multiple laps before heading into the nearby town of Inlet for dining and relaxation.
You can ski to an Adirondack Great Camp
The region provides an unrivaled opportunity to blend history with your workout by skiing the long, stunning approach to the historic Great Camp Sagamore near Raquette Lake. This beautifully-preserved National Historic Landmark offers one of the most unique skiing expeditions in the Adirondacks, following the quiet, snowy access road right to the core of the compound. While the route is typically not groomed, consistent visitor usage often means a packed-down surface that allows you to glide back through time and experience the architectural legacy of the Vanderbilt family's Gilded Age summer retreat.
Plenty of backcountry xc ski trails, from beginner to expert
Hamilton County’s immense public land offers endless possibilities for backcountry cross-country skiing that ranges from beginner-friendly routes to expert wilderness exploration. You can easily ski along old tote roads and wide, gentle tracks in the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area, providing low-effort gliding through stunning, quiet landscapes. A popular local tour goes to Lake Lila along a flat approach, try this one out while you’re here. A range of winter xc skiing trips can also be had along the historic Northville-Placid Trail. For a challenging trip, experienced skiers can do the long approach trail to a mountain like Pillsbury Mountain, rewarding the effort with unforgettable views from its historic fire tower. With hundreds of miles of deep woods trails, a new-to-you route is always waiting for you, no matter how many times you visit.
As you can tell, Hamilton County is home to every stripe of cross-country skiing. But, surely you can’t spend the entire time here on skis. So head into town, get cozy in a local restaurant, bring home a souvenir! A stay in Hamilton County makes you feel right at home.
