03 Jan Winter Fun in the Lake George Region
While Lake George Campsites is not open during the winter months, it’s still a wonderful time of year to visit the Lake George region. From ice castles/ice bars to outdoor igloo dining and a winter carnival, there are plenty of winter activities and things to do in Lake George. Not to mention the outdoor activities like winter hiking, downhill skiing, and snowmobiling. We’ve got your comprehensive guide to winter in Lake George to ensure you have a fun-filled stay in our backyard.
Ice Castles and Ice Bars
The Ice Castles are a newer attraction to the area but have been a hit with kids and adults the last few years. The interactive winter attraction is set up in Charles R. Wood Park right in downtown Lake George. With the purchase of a ticket, you can expect a fun, frozen world of ice slides, ice mazes, frozen thrones, crawl tunnels, fountains, and more! This year they are adding a Polar Pub Ice Bar with winter-themed cocktails and refreshments. They are also adding an Arctic Alcove private ice room that will be available to rent for up to six guests. This is an experience you won’t want to miss! It sells out every year, so be sure to get your tickets now.
Each year the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing creates a winter wonderland with its Glacier Ice Bar & Lounge. The experience will be January 20 – 21, 2023, and January 27 – 28, 2023, and is open to the public. Glacier Bar activities and attractions include ice displays/sculptures, outdoor igloos, “Grown Up Olympics”, cake decorating, fireworks, and of course delicious, winter-inspired cocktails. The theme for 2023 is Arctic Wild so you can expect to see polar bears, igloos, and penguins.
Winter Carnival
The Lake George Winter Carnival is a month-long celebration that takes place on the weekends during February. Lake George Village is bustling with locals and tourists there to enjoy the plethora of parades, cook-offs, races, tournaments, games, and other fun activities. Activities include the Polar Plunge, the Glacier Golf Tournament, horse-drawn carriage rides, face painting, hot chocolate bar, s’mores at the beach, and more! This year pre-sale tickets will be available online for the following activities: Chili Cook-Off on February 5, BBQ Cook-Off on February 12, Soup & Chowder Cook-Off on February 19, and Mac & Cheese Cook-Off on February 26. Be sure to stay tuned for a full activity calendar.
Winterfest
If you are planning a visit to the Lake George region this winter you should consider purchasing a Winterfest wristband. The event runs from December 26 through March 5 and the wristband allows you access to exclusive activities, free perks, and discounts. The $20 Winterfest Wristband includes horse-drawn carriage rides for you and your entire family on Saturdays 12 pm – 5 pm, Hot chocolate at Biscotti Brothers from 9 am to 2 pm, Thursday through Monday, a 15% discount at participating hotels, and a 10% discount at participating restaurants. The $30 Winterfest Wristband includes the same PLUS a winter activity of your choice: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sled ride, sleigh ride, snow tubing, or axe throwing.
Indoor Fun
If you’re looking to escape the cold and have some fun indoors there are plenty of spots in Lake George Village and the surrounding areas. Visit Adirondack Winery’s Lake George tasting room and sip on their award-winning wines. They also recently opened a tasting room in Queensbury, NY if you want to avoid the crowds of downtown LG where they offer wine tastings, charcuterie boards, winery tours, and more! While you might think of Six Flags Great Escape as a summer destination, they do have an indoor waterpark that is open year-round for all to enjoy. Try something out of the box at Adirondack Axe, the Northeast’s premier axe-throwing venue or enjoy golf simulation, bowling, laser tag, an arcade, and an indoor playground at Lake George Lanes & Games. Or if you want to take a more educational route, visit The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls, NY – one of the Northeast’s exceptional small art museums with distinguished collections of European and American art.
Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowshoeing
Lake George, NY is just a short drive from several top-rated ski mountains. Just a 35-minute drive from Lake George is Gore Mountain in North Creek, NY. Gore’s terrain covers four unique peaks with trails for every level of skier. They have rentals and lessons available, and there are several on-site dining options to choose from. West Mountain in Queensbury, NY is a family-owned and family-friendly ski area only 15 minutes from Lake George. West Mountain offers 31 trails spread across 126 skiable acres and they have a large snow tubing park that kids (and adults) will love. Be sure to book your tubing tickets in advance as they book up quickly!
And for those who aren’t skiers but still want to experience the outdoors, snowshoeing is a great option. It requires minimal equipment and no training or experience and you still get to breathe that winter air and get close to the snow-capped Adirondack Mountains. The Dynamite Hill Recreation Center & Nature Trail in Chestertown, NY is a great place to go snowshoeing as is Natural Stone Bridge & Caves in Pottersville, NY. Beaverbrook Outfitters in Wevertown, NY not only offers snowshoe rentals but guided snowshoe tours – a great option if you want to try it out without committing to buying the gear.
Winter Hiking
If you can get past the cold temperatures, winter hiking is a great way to experience the Lake George region. There are trails all around that offer picturesque views of the lake and surrounding mountains and range in length and level of difficulty. Pilot Knob Preserve is a great family-friendly hike in Fort Ann, NY. The hike is 1.8 miles round trip if you follow the loop and you’ll be rewarded at the top when you reach the beautiful gazebo with views overlooking Lake George. Buck Mountain is a moderately challenging hike located on the east side of Lake George. The climb to the summit is approximately 3 miles one way and there are rocky and steep sections to this hike to be mindful of (it’s probably not the best for young children). Sleeping Beauty Mountain is another moderate hike that varies between 5 – 7.5 miles round-trip depending on where you start and stop. It has some rockier sections so take extra caution in the wintertime, but is generally family-friendly. Just be sure to check the forecast and trail conditions before you head out on your hike so you can be prepared!
Look Ahead to Spring
Spring will be here before you know it and Lake George Campsites opens for the 2023 season on May 1! We’ve got RV camping, tent camping, and cozy cottages. If you’re looking for places to camp in the Adirondacks it doesn’t get better than our corner of the Lake George region.