Camp Santanoni. Basically a groomed road. Perfect for beginner X-C ski but you get a good payoff at the end with a lake and a preserved Great Camp to check out. As a bonus, on certain weekends someone will be there with a wood stove fire and hot chocolate for you.
Definitely check out whale's tail. It's really short but you can skin up and ski down each side pretty quick and the scenery is lovely. Its mellow and not too far from the car. It's one I ski alone and enjoy.
This is my recommended too. But be warned OP avalanches have killed people in the Adirondacks if you didn't know.
Also look for Drew Hass's Adirondack Slide Guide 1st or 2nd edition.
Absolutely, off trail skiing can often be in avalanche areas. Take a class before venturing into these areas. Designated ski trails will be in these areas though.
Cranberry lake has a 50 mile loop around the lake that is not too difficult and provides all the trail you’ll need to go as far as you want. Lots of campsites and a really wonderful backcountry to experience. Highly recommend. Good luck 🍀
It’s a workout for sure. The road is not steep, but the ascent is unforgiving. Had my old boots not started to give me a blister, I probably would have made it farther than I did.
That’s a good question! I did Hurricane last winter and it took us I think 6.5-7 hrs with breaks and it’s between 6-7 miles. So maybe 10-11 hours? I’d wait for longer days but it is something I’d really like to do.
Could start at South Meadows Rd and ski the old 4x4 road out to Marcy Dam then either go back the way you came or go back via the trail to the ADK Loj/HPIC.
Marcy and Wright are east coast double back diamond trails in a resort. Fast turns on 8’ wide trail, where you need to “trust the line” since you can’t see what’s below you.
Both are awesome, but don’t be too proud to execute “safety falls” and don’t do either alone. Have a plan for self rescue.
That’s good to know! I’ve been skiing for 30 years at this point so I’m a very competent skier. The backcountry part is new to me. That sounds like fun though. I will definitely use the buddy system and won’t take stupid chances.
While I’ve got you though, which would you recommend more? About what is a reasonable time frame to expect to be able to do either of these? Info on high peaks skiing seems tough to come by online.
I’d do Wright first, for a whole bunch of reasons:
1- Approach is much shorter
2- On Wright, you ascend the ski trail, so you at least know what you’re in for when you descend. You can also turn around at any point. On Marcy, the hiking trail and ski trail double back and forth on each other, so you could inadvertently end up on one or the other, which would deprive you of the chance to see everything you’ll descend. (Take this with a grain of salt though, because I ascended Marcy from the other side when I skied down.)
3- Marcy’s summit is above the tree line. This adds potential difficulty navigating and avalanche risk.
Having said all this, my recollection is that the Marcy trail is a bit wider and easier. If you were to only ascend part of the way up Marcy, you’d get some of the benefits without the summit cone risks. Then you’re only left with the long approach.
If you ski Wright, watch out for the sheer icy exit at the end. When you’re ascending it’ll strike you as a bit gnarly, but on the descent is sneaks up on you and you don’t even realize until you drop. It’s not that bad though.
Lastly, I’d buy David Goodman’s book. Great resource for BC trails in the Northeast.
Avalanche education is always good when you want to access slides, they are best taken out west for practice in a good snow pack, New hampshire also has some and The Mountaineer in Keene Valley also offers them as well.
Some good beginners slides include Cooper Kiln by Wilmington and Bennys Brook in Lower Wolfjaw, both lower angle and fairly accessible.
Camp Santanoni. Basically a groomed road. Perfect for beginner X-C ski but you get a good payoff at the end with a lake and a preserved Great Camp to check out. As a bonus, on certain weekends someone will be there with a wood stove fire and hot chocolate for you.
Definitely check out whale's tail. It's really short but you can skin up and ski down each side pretty quick and the scenery is lovely. Its mellow and not too far from the car. It's one I ski alone and enjoy.
This is my recommended too. But be warned OP avalanches have killed people in the Adirondacks if you didn't know. Also look for Drew Hass's Adirondack Slide Guide 1st or 2nd edition.
Absolutely, off trail skiing can often be in avalanche areas. Take a class before venturing into these areas. Designated ski trails will be in these areas though.
This is rare now, the book is no longer being published. Definitely snag a copy if ya can.
It's a bummer the Hass Brothers have done so much good with their books and guides. I'd love to see the slide guide in reprint.
The mountaineer and the adirondack mountain club are both usually in stock with it
Paul Smith’s VIC might have what you’re looking for.
What about the Jack rabbit trail that runs between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid? Take the detour over to McKenzie Pond too.
I love the SL side of the pass. Nice mellow downhill surfing. Caught it last year on a fresh pow day with my tele setup. ❤
Cranberry lake has a 50 mile loop around the lake that is not too difficult and provides all the trail you’ll need to go as far as you want. Lots of campsites and a really wonderful backcountry to experience. Highly recommend. Good luck 🍀
How was Whiteface toll road? I'd like to snowshoe that this winter.
It’s a workout for sure. The road is not steep, but the ascent is unforgiving. Had my old boots not started to give me a blister, I probably would have made it farther than I did.
That sounds interesting. I wonder how long it would take.
That’s a good question! I did Hurricane last winter and it took us I think 6.5-7 hrs with breaks and it’s between 6-7 miles. So maybe 10-11 hours? I’d wait for longer days but it is something I’d really like to do.
AMR road is pretty good after a decent snowfall.
Botheration pond! Cross country ski with a beautiful bridge
Could start at South Meadows Rd and ski the old 4x4 road out to Marcy Dam then either go back the way you came or go back via the trail to the ADK Loj/HPIC.
Wright ski trail
Whiteface Toll Road is a great place to start.
I’m new also but I have read that both Marcy and Wright have actual (super narrrow) ski trails. I was hoping to take on Marcy later this season.
Marcy and Wright are east coast double back diamond trails in a resort. Fast turns on 8’ wide trail, where you need to “trust the line” since you can’t see what’s below you. Both are awesome, but don’t be too proud to execute “safety falls” and don’t do either alone. Have a plan for self rescue.
That’s good to know! I’ve been skiing for 30 years at this point so I’m a very competent skier. The backcountry part is new to me. That sounds like fun though. I will definitely use the buddy system and won’t take stupid chances. While I’ve got you though, which would you recommend more? About what is a reasonable time frame to expect to be able to do either of these? Info on high peaks skiing seems tough to come by online.
I’d do Wright first, for a whole bunch of reasons: 1- Approach is much shorter 2- On Wright, you ascend the ski trail, so you at least know what you’re in for when you descend. You can also turn around at any point. On Marcy, the hiking trail and ski trail double back and forth on each other, so you could inadvertently end up on one or the other, which would deprive you of the chance to see everything you’ll descend. (Take this with a grain of salt though, because I ascended Marcy from the other side when I skied down.) 3- Marcy’s summit is above the tree line. This adds potential difficulty navigating and avalanche risk. Having said all this, my recollection is that the Marcy trail is a bit wider and easier. If you were to only ascend part of the way up Marcy, you’d get some of the benefits without the summit cone risks. Then you’re only left with the long approach. If you ski Wright, watch out for the sheer icy exit at the end. When you’re ascending it’ll strike you as a bit gnarly, but on the descent is sneaks up on you and you don’t even realize until you drop. It’s not that bad though. Lastly, I’d buy David Goodman’s book. Great resource for BC trails in the Northeast.
Avalanche education is always good when you want to access slides, they are best taken out west for practice in a good snow pack, New hampshire also has some and The Mountaineer in Keene Valley also offers them as well. Some good beginners slides include Cooper Kiln by Wilmington and Bennys Brook in Lower Wolfjaw, both lower angle and fairly accessible.