Plan your winter escape to Ausable Chasm
Note: this blog was written in 2022 and was updated in November 2025.
We see you scrolling around, looking for the best bang for your buck and booking a winter trip. Let us stop you right there. We’ll save you the work and let you in on a little secret. Looking for a peaceful winter getaway while still chasing those big views? Want to pack in multiple activities and make the most of your winter trip? And of course, you’re after a real Adirondack experience, right? Look no further. Ausable Chasm fits the bill.
So much to do
As the snow continues to fly, a thin white blanket covers the massive walls of Ausable Chasm. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the quiet of the Adirondack wilderness without spending a whole day hiking to some remote lake, a winter visit to Ausable Chasm should be on your shortlist of winter adventures. This place is guaranteed to knock your socks off no matter how tight you strap those snowshoes.
Ausable Chasm stays surprisingly quiet all winter, and this natural wonder is often yours alone. Stroll the Rim Trail at your own pace, meandering along paths and overlooks that showcase stunning ice formations or move quickly if you prefer to escape the cold. For an insider’s view of the chasm’s history, quirks, and best vistas, take a guided tour into the Inner Sanctum, where stone walkways bring you closer to the ice and geological formations and reveal just how massive this place really is.
After a brief existential crisis about the size of the world, get back up top and cap the day off with a relaxing cross-country ski. When winter comes, the pines behind the Ausable Chasm campground become a perfect place to unwind. After all, there’s no better way to absorb all those epic views than with a peaceful slide through the woods.
My experience
I had experienced Ausable Chasm in the fall, but come winter, I was awestruck. Snow collects on every small edge and crevice, highlighting the scale of the walls. Snowshoeing along the walkways atop the chasm, I stopped at each lookout. Each vantage point provides a totally unique view of the chasm. Some place you out over the river, allowing you to see all the way down to the next bend in the chasm’s path. Others stop across from giant frozen waterfalls or an interesting column of rock.
Ausable Chasm is alive and breathing. The water level rises and falls, the ice grows and shrinks, and the changing seasons dramatically alter the views. Even if you’ve made a visit in the warmer months, I highly recommend making a return after the snow has fallen.
Hear some more
Interested in hearing more about Ausable Chasm? Check out this blog from my first visit, or read about how this group spent their day at the chasm.
If you want to see more photos and videos, scroll through our Instagram or Facebook for plenty from Ausable Chasm and the surrounding area. Between great food, cozy places to stay, and legendary outdoor activities, there is plenty to keep you warm on even the coldest days.
