ADK Cross Country Trails
Are you a cross-country skier interested in exploring new grounds? The Adirondack Park boasts trails that are both challenging and breathtaking throughout winter. Test yourself and give your body a workout as you attempt the rolling hills and steep grades of the Adirondack landscape. Below are various trails that may suit your skill level and interests!
Jump To:
- Northern Adirondack XC Trails
- Eastern Adirondack XC Trails
- Southern Adirondack XC Trails
- Western Adirondack XC Trails
Note that some are privately owned, and therefore require admission or passes.
Northern Adirondack XC Trails
New Land Trust
236 Plumadore Road, Saranac, NY 12981
At the foot of Lyon Mountain, Saranac's New Land Trust features free trails that are open for cross-country skiing and other outdoor recreational activities. The trails and grounds are open to the public year-round from dawn to dusk.
Dewey Mountain
Rte 3, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Dewey Mountain Recreation Center in Saranac Lake offers day passes and season passes for access to its trail network. Cross-country ski rentals are available.
Mt. Van Hoevenberg Cross Country & Biathlon Center
220 Bobsled Run Lane, Lake Placid, NY 12946
This former Olympic venue includes miles of groomed trails that are perfect for all ability levels. The Nordic Terrain Park at Mt. Van Hoevenberg is a unique attraction in the Adirondacks, and day trail passes and rentals are available.
Whiteface Club & Resort
373 Whiteface Inn Lane, Lake Placid, NY 12946
Visit Whiteface Club & Resort during the winter season and check out its Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Center. Take lessons, rent equipment, and then explore the resort's groomed cross-country ski trails.
Cascade Cross-Country Ski Center
4833 Cascade Road, Lake Placid, NY 12946
This is a full service cross-country ski center that features miles of groomed trails, a Nordic shop, lessons, and more. Daily trail passes and season passes are available for all ages.
Peninsula Nature Tails
Peninsula Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
The DEC maintains the old access roads and new trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other seasonal recreational activities. The site is easily accessible, and there are no restrictions.
Paul Smith's College VIC
8023 NY-30, Paul Smiths, NY 12970
Paul Smith's Visitor Interpretive Center has over 25 miles of trails for cross-country skiing and other winter activities. Trails are usually groomed 4 feet wide, and they are open from dawn to dusk. Visitors can rent skis, but there are fees to access the trail system.
Jackrabbit Ski Trail
Saranac Lake to Keene
The 20+ mile Jackrabbit Ski Trail links sections of wilderness ski trails with populated areas and existing cross-country ski centers. Snowshoeing is also permitted on the trail.
Tupper Lake Groomed XC Ski Center
141 Country Club Road, Tupper Lake, NY 12986
When snow arrives in Tupper Lake, the Tupper Lake Golf Course becomes a fun ski center. This is a free and dog-friendly trail system that is maintained by local volunteers. The trail system connects the Tupper Lake Golf Course to the Big Tupper Ski Area.
Eastern Adirondack XC Trails
Garnet Hill Lodge
39 Garnet Hill Rd, North River, NY 12856
The miles of private trails at Garnet Hill Lodge are renowned for their quality and breathtaking views. You can purchase a variety of day passes and season passes. Ski lessons and gear rentals are also available, so if you feel you need the extra help, stop by!
Whortleberry Pond
Indian Lake, NY 12842
To the east of Indian Lake is a cross-country ski trail near Whortleberry Pond. This trail is 3 miles long, and most of the route is an old jeep road.
Adirondack Interpretive Center
5922 NY-28N, Newcomb, NY 12852
The Adirondack Interpretive Center features 3.6 miles of trails that are open for cross-country skiing during winter. Hours of operation vary depending on the time of year.
Camp Santanoni Historic Area
58 Newcomb Lake Rd, Newcomb, NY 12852
The Camp Santanoni Historic Area is one of the most popular cross-country ski destinations in the Adirondacks. From the Gatehouse, it is about 5 miles to the Main Complex, making it 10 miles round trip. If you're not ready for that distance, you can instead take a 1 mile trip from the Gatehouse to the historic Farm Complex.
Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area
Schroon Lake, NY 12870
All of the hiking trails in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area are open for cross-country skiing as well as snowshoeing. The Pharaoh Lake Trail is 3.3 miles long, and the Pharaoh Lake Loop Trail is roughly 6 miles long.
Crown Point State Historic Site
21 Grandview Drive, Crown Point, NY 12928
Explore history and get some exercise by going cross-country skiing at the Crown Point State Historic Site. There are marked trails and interpretive signs to make your skiing trip even more fun.
Southern Adirondack XC Trails
Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center
139 Lapland Lake Road, Northville, NY 12134
The private trails at Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center are available to the public with the purchase of a day pass or season pass (or if you are a lodging guest). It's a great choice for beginners who don't have their own equipment because rentals and lessons are available.
Friends Lake Inn
963 Friends Lake Road, Chestertown, NY 12817
Ski and snowshoes are available for guests at Friends Lake Inn, and they have trails on-site. Note, you must be a guest of the Inn to make use of gear and trails.
The Nordic Center at Gore Mountain
793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek, NY 12853
Visit the Gore Mountain Nordic Center for all levels of cross-country skiing. The trail network at the North Creek Ski Bowl features multiple loops to explore. The tracks are lighted, so you can go skiing at night too.
Dynamite Hill Recreation Center
Dynamite Hill Road, Chestertown, NY 12817
The Dynamite Hill Recreation Center features a large trail system that is open for cross-country skiing during the winter season. Admission to this local rec center is free thanks to the Town of Chester. Note, rentals are not available.
Cunningham's Ski Barn
1 Main Street, North Creek, NY 12853
Cunningham's Ski Barn has been serving the Adirondacks since 1934. Stop by their location in North Creek for access to private trails and ski equipment.
Jessup Wild Forest/Foxy Brown X-Ski Trail
Lake Plesant, NY 12108
Also known as the Piseco Airport Trail, the Foxy Brown X-Ski Trail is a 5.6-mile cross-country ski trail located within the Jessup River Wild Forest. Otherwise, there are no groomed or maintained trails in the Forest, all hiking trails are open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
Lake George Recreation Park
Transfer Road, Lake George, NY 12845
In the Lake George Recreation Park, there are miles of fun cross-country ski trails that are free and open to the public.
Hackensack Mountain Park
Sunset Avenue/Prospect Street Intersection, Warrensburg, NY 12885
Hackensack Mountain Park offers both cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the base of a mountain trail.
Lake George Wild Forest
Golf Course Road, Warrensburg, NY 12885
This expansive area features a 2 mile long novice trail and a 3.5 mile intermediate to expert level trail. The trails run through a nature park and Cronin's Golf Course. They are open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Cole's Woods
Upper Glen St, Queensbury, NY 12804
Many of the trails in Cole's Woods are groomed for cross-country skiing, and half of them are lighted at night. These trails are free and open to the public.
Gurney Lane Recreation Area
18 Gurney Lane, Queensbury, NY 12804
The Gurney Lane Recreation Area becomes a winter wonderland during the colder months of the year. A variety of trails are available for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Western Adirondack XC Trails
McCauley Mountain Ski Area
300 McCauley Mountain Road, Old Forge, NY 13420
Any beginner, big or small, will have an easy time learning on McCauley Mountain Ski Area's cross-country trails. Although the ski center is known for its downhill trails, you can have just as much fun cross-country skiing. You can also rent equipment if you're just trying it out.
Fern Mountain Recreation Area (Fern Park)
7 Loomis Road, Inlet, NY 13360
This public park in Inlet features roughly 22 miles of groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails.
Moose River Plains Wild Forest
Inlet, NY 13360
The Moose River Plains Wild Forest is part of the Moose River Plains Complex, which allows for cross-country skiing on all of its hiking trails. Within the whole Moose River Plains Complex, about 16 miles of trails are designated for skiing only.
Tug Hill Plateau Trails
Tug Hill Plateau, Lowville, NY 13367
Known for receiving heavy snow, the Tug Hill Plateau area is perfect for cross-country skiing. Over 600 miles of groomed trails are available for skiers.
Lowville Forestry Demonstration Area
7327 NY-812, Lowville, NY 13367
The public is welcome to explore the Lowville Forestry Demonstration Area and its miles of cross-country ski trails in winter. While you're there, be sure to check out the numbered stops along the way and learn about the demonstration forest.
Five Ponds Wilderness Area
Lowville, NY 13367
This large tract of land is open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter season. You can follow the hiking trails, but be prepared to encounter deep snow in this part of the Adirondacks.
Cranberry Lake Wild Forest
Cranberry Lake, NY 12927
Cross-country skiers in the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest will find at least 8.5 miles of ski trails. The trails are split up between three parcels to the west, northwest, and east of Cranberry Lake.
Aldrich Pond Wild Forest
Fine, NY 13639
The Aldrich Pond Wild Forest features multiple trails for cross-country skiers. However, be aware that snowmobilers are also allowed on these trails.
BREIA - Black River Environmental Improvement Association
9323 Egypt Road, Boonville, NY 13309
This not-for-profit corporation maintains gorgeous trails and facilities in the Adirondack foothills. The group's groomed cross-country ski trails are free and open to the public. There are several trail systems to choose from, including the Canal Trail, the Egypt Road Trails, and the Jackson Hill Trails.