Ski the coast

During the winter season, the Lake Champlain hiking trails, waterways, and fields freeze and become covered in snow, making them perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Grab your skis or snowshoes and explore the extensive Lake Champlain trail system.

Choose your trail

Head to one of the region's state parks for open terrain, or ski or snowshoe on frozen Lake Champlain. For groomed cross-country ski trails, check out Roger's Rock in Ticonderoga. Whatever surface you seek, you'll be surrounded by a peaceful, snow-covered landscape while breathing in the fresh Adirondack air. 

Still not sure which way to go?

Choose one of the Champlain Area Trails — there are 56 different options — offering everything from a rigorous winter workout to a smooth, serene glide across an open field. Or take the Coot Hill-Big Hollow or Coon Mountain trail to a summit with incredible vistas. Perhaps consider the short hike up Belfry Mountain, or a longer hike up Poke-O-Moonshine, to historic fire towers with 360-views over the Adirondacks and Champlain Valley.

Consider a glide among 18th century fort ruins. The Crown Point State Historic Site grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset.  There is a well marked cross-country ski trail that winds its way through the site’s 500 acres and offers breathtaking scenery.

Leave No Trace and Love Your ADK

The magic of the Adirondacks is the result of previous generations taking a long view and protecting the mountains, lakes, and rivers within the Blue Line. That tradition continues today as we support and encourage everyone to practice Leave No Trace ethics, which help protect the lands and waters of the Adirondacks.

In winter, it is especially important to come prepared and practice ways to Love Your ADK; the best way to avoid emergencies is to properly plan and prepare for your trip.

Legendary

Ticonderoga
763 Putts Pond Road, Ticonderoga | (518) 532-7675
Crane Pond is a beautiful gem in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. 
Campgrounds
2716
Westport
Sayre Rd POB 193, Westport | (518) 962-2287
Property owner and artist Ted Cornell has worked with Champlain Area Trails to create a hiking path which shows off some of his outdoor sculptures and artwork.
718
Elizabethtown
Lords Road, Elizabethtown | (518) 962-2287
The Blueberry Hill Trails are located in the Town of Elizabethtown and were built for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross country skiing. There are several other viewing areas within the trail system that are quite rewarding.
Running
1837
Ticonderoga
763 Putts Pond Road, Ticonderoga | (518) 532-7675
Crane Pond is a beautiful gem in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. 
Hiking
2716
Essex
Route 22, Essex | (518) 962-2287
This lovely trail goes through a forest and a field, then goes along wetlands and a pond before entering a diverse forest with incredibly old oak trees and unexpected rock outcrops.
Hiking
717
Westport
Sherman Road, Westport | (866) 843-5253
Wonderful outing through an old forest and a pine plantation, then follows the border of the wetlands before traversing the side of a hill.
1838
Westport
Sherman Road, Westport | (866) 843-5253
Wonderful outing through an old forest and a pine plantation, then follows the border of the wetlands before traversing the side of a hill.
1838
Ticonderoga
763 Putts Pond Road, Ticonderoga | (518) 532-7675
Crane Pond is a beautiful gem in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. 
Snowshoeing
2716
Plattsburgh
3346 Lake Shore Road, Plattsburgh | (518) 962-2287
This is a birders' paradise! And it's part of the NYS Birding Trail, which features prime birding locations around the state.
Cross Country Skiing
1760
Westport
Lake Shore Road, Westport | (518) 962-2287
The largest undeveloped tract of land on the Lake Champlain shoreline, Split Rock Wild Forest covers 3,700 acres in the towns of Essex and Westport. There was plenty of trails to explore in the area!
Cross Country Skiing
700
Plattsburgh
3346 Lake Shore Road, Plattsburgh | (518) 962-2287
This is a birders' paradise! And it's part of the NYS Birding Trail, which features prime birding locations around the state.
1760
Westport
McConley Road POB 193, Westport | (518) 962-2287
The Barlett Pond – McConley Road Trail is an easy, 8-mile-loop that follows a seasonal road through the Adirondack foothills, known as the West Champlain Hills, to Mineville.
Cycling
702
Westport
McConley Road POB 193, Westport | (518) 962-2287
The Barlett Pond – McConley Road Trail is an easy, 8-mile-loop that follows a seasonal road through the Adirondack foothills, known as the West Champlain Hills, to Mineville.
Cross Country Skiing
702
Elizabethtown
Lords Road, Elizabethtown | (518) 962-2287
The Blueberry Hill Trails are located in the Town of Elizabethtown and were built for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross country skiing. There are several other viewing areas within the trail system that are quite rewarding.
Cycling
1837
Elizabethtown
Lords Road, Elizabethtown | (518) 962-2287
The Blueberry Hill Trails are located in the Town of Elizabethtown and were built for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross country skiing. There are several other viewing areas within the trail system that are quite rewarding.
Cross Country Skiing
1837
Ticonderoga
763 Putts Pond Road, Ticonderoga | (518) 532-7675
Crane Pond is a beautiful gem in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. 
Fishing
2716
Ticonderoga
763 Putts Pond Road, Ticonderoga | (518) 532-7675
Crane Pond is a beautiful gem in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. 
Cross Country Skiing
2716
Ticonderoga
Montcalm Street, Ticonderoga | (518) 585-6619
Bicentennial Park offers picnic areas, riverfront trails, ball fields, lighted walking paths, tennis courts and a small boat launch. Scenic boat cruises, seasonal accommodations, campsites, numerous beaches and picnic areas abound. In winter the park...
4146
Elizabethtown
Lobdell Lane, Elizabethtown | (518) 523-1365
​Otis Mountain Recreation Area is a 1940’s ski hill that has evolved into a challenging mountain bike, ski, and trail running destination, and is the home of the Otis Mountain Get Down music festival.  
Cross Country Skiing
33544
Ticonderoga
Montcalm Street, Ticonderoga | (518) 585-6619
Bicentennial Park offers picnic areas, riverfront trails, ball fields, lighted walking paths, tennis courts and a small boat launch. Scenic boat cruises, seasonal accommodations, campsites, numerous beaches and picnic areas abound. In winter the park...
Snowshoeing
4146
Westport
Sherman Road, Westport | (866) 843-5253
Wonderful outing through an old forest and a pine plantation, then follows the border of the wetlands before traversing the side of a hill.
1838
Westport
Lake Shore Road, Westport | (518) 962-2287
The largest undeveloped tract of land on the Lake Champlain shoreline, Split Rock Wild Forest covers 3,700 acres in the towns of Essex and Westport. There was plenty of trails to explore in the area!
700
Keeseville
154-166 Soper Rd Giddings Road Trailhead, Keeseville | (518) 597-4649
This is a great place for hiking, birding, cross- country skiing, and snowshoeing! There is also a wheelchair accessible trail.
Hiking
1791
Elizabethtown
Lobdell Lane, Elizabethtown | (518) 523-1365
​Otis Mountain Recreation Area is a 1940’s ski hill that has evolved into a challenging mountain bike, ski, and trail running destination, and is the home of the Otis Mountain Get Down music festival.  
Cycling
33544
Keeseville
154-166 Soper Rd Giddings Road Trailhead, Keeseville | (518) 597-4649
This is a great place for hiking, birding, cross- country skiing, and snowshoeing! There is also a wheelchair accessible trail.
1791
Westport
Sayre Rd POB 193, Westport | (518) 962-2287
Property owner and artist Ted Cornell has worked with Champlain Area Trails to create a hiking path which shows off some of his outdoor sculptures and artwork.
Snowshoeing
718
Westport
Lake Shore Road, Westport | (518) 962-2287
The largest undeveloped tract of land on the Lake Champlain shoreline, Split Rock Wild Forest covers 3,700 acres in the towns of Essex and Westport. There was plenty of trails to explore in the area!
Snowshoeing
700
Westport
Lake Shore Road, Westport | (518) 962-2287
The largest undeveloped tract of land on the Lake Champlain shoreline, Split Rock Wild Forest covers 3,700 acres in the towns of Essex and Westport. There was plenty of trails to explore in the area!
Hiking
700
Keeseville
154-166 Soper Rd Giddings Road Trailhead, Keeseville | (518) 597-4649
This is a great place for hiking, birding, cross- country skiing, and snowshoeing! There is also a wheelchair accessible trail.
Snowshoeing
1791
Westport
Sayre Rd POB 193, Westport | (518) 962-2287
Property owner and artist Ted Cornell has worked with Champlain Area Trails to create a hiking path which shows off some of his outdoor sculptures and artwork.
Cross Country Skiing
718
Keeseville
154-166 Soper Rd Giddings Road Trailhead, Keeseville | (518) 597-4649
This is a great place for hiking, birding, cross- country skiing, and snowshoeing! There is also a wheelchair accessible trail.
1791
Keeseville
154-166 Soper Rd Giddings Road Trailhead, Keeseville | (518) 597-4649
This is a great place for hiking, birding, cross- country skiing, and snowshoeing! There is also a wheelchair accessible trail.
Cross Country Skiing
1791
Ticonderoga
Montcalm Street, Ticonderoga | (518) 585-6619
Bicentennial Park offers picnic areas, riverfront trails, ball fields, lighted walking paths, tennis courts and a small boat launch. Scenic boat cruises, seasonal accommodations, campsites, numerous beaches and picnic areas abound. In winter the park...
Cross Country Skiing
4146
Elizabethtown
Lords Road, Elizabethtown | (518) 962-2287
The Blueberry Hill Trails are located in the Town of Elizabethtown and were built for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross country skiing. There are several other viewing areas within the trail system that are quite rewarding.
Snowshoeing
1837
Elizabethtown
Lords Road, Elizabethtown | (518) 962-2287
The Blueberry Hill Trails are located in the Town of Elizabethtown and were built for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross country skiing. There are several other viewing areas within the trail system that are quite rewarding.
Hiking
1837
Essex
Route 22, Essex | (518) 962-2287
This lovely trail goes through a forest and a field, then goes along wetlands and a pond before entering a diverse forest with incredibly old oak trees and unexpected rock outcrops.
Cross Country Skiing
717
Plattsburgh
3346 Lake Shore Road, Plattsburgh | (518) 962-2287
This is a birders' paradise! And it's part of the NYS Birding Trail, which features prime birding locations around the state.
1760
Ticonderoga
763 Putts Pond Road, Ticonderoga | (518) 532-7675
Crane Pond is a beautiful gem in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. 
Fishing
2716
Ticonderoga
763 Putts Pond Road, Ticonderoga | (518) 532-7675
Crane Pond is a beautiful gem in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. 
Paddling
2716
Elizabethtown
Lords Road, Elizabethtown | (518) 962-2287
The Blueberry Hill Trails are located in the Town of Elizabethtown and were built for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross country skiing. There are several other viewing areas within the trail system that are quite rewarding.
Campgrounds
1837
Keeseville
154-166 Soper Rd Giddings Road Trailhead, Keeseville | (518) 597-4649
This is a great place for hiking, birding, cross- country skiing, and snowshoeing! There is also a wheelchair accessible trail.
Running
1791
Crown Point
21 Grandview Drive, Crown Point | (518) 597-4666
The historic Crown Point is definitely a "don't miss" stop in the Lake Champlain Region! The grounds are free to explore, but there is an admission fee at museum.
History
921
Crown Point
21 Grandview Drive, Crown Point | (518) 597-4666
The historic Crown Point is definitely a "don't miss" stop in the Lake Champlain Region! The grounds are free to explore, but there is an admission fee at museum.
Snowshoeing
921
Crown Point
21 Grandview Drive, Crown Point | (518) 597-4666
The historic Crown Point is definitely a "don't miss" stop in the Lake Champlain Region! The grounds are free to explore, but there is an admission fee at museum.
Cross Country Skiing
921
Crown Point
21 Grandview Drive, Crown Point | (518) 597-4666
The historic Crown Point is definitely a "don't miss" stop in the Lake Champlain Region! The grounds are free to explore, but there is an admission fee at museum.
921
Crown Point
21 Grandview Drive, Crown Point | (518) 597-4666
The historic Crown Point is definitely a "don't miss" stop in the Lake Champlain Region! The grounds are free to explore, but there is an admission fee at museum.
Weddings
921
Crown Point
21 Grandview Drive, Crown Point | (518) 597-4666
The historic Crown Point is definitely a "don't miss" stop in the Lake Champlain Region! The grounds are free to explore, but there is an admission fee at museum.
History
921
Crown Point
21 Grandview Drive, Crown Point | (518) 597-4666
The historic Crown Point is definitely a "don't miss" stop in the Lake Champlain Region! The grounds are free to explore, but there is an admission fee at museum.
Hiking
921

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