Wood's Trail offers easy backcountry access in St. Lawrence County By Tom French Wood’s Trail is a short backcountry trail at Higley Flow State Park, a popular x-country ski center in St. Lawrence County just outside the Blue Line. … [Read more...] about Feeling the (Higley) Flow
Saranac Lake ice palace takes shape
Volunteers forge ahead on annual winter carnival tradition Photos by Tom French Known as the IPW 101 (Ice Palace Workers), the volunteers who build the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival's icy structure each year know their roles without being told. … [Read more...] about Saranac Lake ice palace takes shape
Another ascent on Azure
Well-traveled northern Adirondacks hike works for families, groups By Tom French I’ve climbed Azure Mountain more times than I can count, and so has everyone else. With its iconic fire tower, Azure is a go-to destination of the northern … [Read more...] about Another ascent on Azure
Peavine Swamp: Ski it while you can
Taking advantage of bomb cyclone snow and seeing old growth of epic proportions By Tom French Any Adirondack Explorer from St. Lawrence County has hopefully heard of the Peavine Swamp Ski Trail. Perhaps many have even skied its 4.9 miles from … [Read more...] about Peavine Swamp: Ski it while you can
Equipped for snowmaking
Whiteface weather warriors use all the tools to get the job done By Tom French New York’s Olympic mountain, Whiteface, boasts an iconic peak reaching almost 5,000 feet into the sky, creating the highest vertical drop in the East of 3,430 feet. … [Read more...] about Equipped for snowmaking
Wanakena winter wonderland
No 'kick and glide' to be found when skiing 2 feet of fresh snow By Tom French As those of us from the North Country know, one day it’s pushing seventy, and the next it’s snowing. My relatives from other parts of the country are in disbelief … [Read more...] about Wanakena winter wonderland