Winter Events 2022-2023

Looking for something to keep you busy in the winter months? We have got some events coming up to keep you entertained! The new year looks promising and there are a lot of exciting things happening around the region. From pondskimming to winter festivals, you'll find something to love this winter in Hamilton County!

Here are a few of our events that you can expect this coming winter:

Speculator

A man in a chicken costume on a snowboard participates in pondskimming to see how far he can get across the water.

Located in the southern Adirondack Region, Speculator is a spectacular "all-season vacationland." The village sits on the shore of beautiful Lake Pleasant and offers a community atmosphere amid a vast, pristine wilderness. And, best of all, there are winter events all season long!

New Years Eve at Oak Mountain, 12/31/2022

Say goodbye to 2022 and welcome 2023 with all of your friends at Oak Mountain. Enjoy their annual torch light parade and fireworks!

Polar Plunge, 1/1/2023

Ring in the New Year by washing off 2022 in the ice cold river! Meet by the Speculator Pavilion at 11:30 – the Polar Plunge is at noon on the dot, so you'll want to be ready!

Cardboard Sled Race, 3/4/2023

Cardboard Sled Races are a great source of enjoyment for participants and spectators alike! Craft your best sled out of just cardboard and tape and race to the finish line at the bottom of Oak Mountain's bunny hill.

Oak Mountain's Annual Pondskimming, 3/25/2023

Pondskimming is another event that is great for participants as well as spectators! Skiers and snowboarders will don silly costumes and try their best to make it across the small hand dug pond at the bottom of the bunny hill. The bigger the splash, the better!

Inlet

Winter in Inlet is incredible. It's a snowmobiling paradise, plus the town hosts a super fun winter festival!

A large group of people stands around a large bonfire in winter.

Inlet's Frozen Fire and Lights Festival, 2/25/2023

Always on the last Saturday in February, the Frozen Fire and Lights Festival is a staple in Inlet. Enjoy free sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing all day at Fern Park. Relax by the bonfire, and enjoy some fireworks and live music. Making its return in 2023 are the Outhouse Races!  (Don't forget to check out the rules and regulations!)

Long Lake

Long Lake may be all water fun in the warmer months, but winter is just as exciting!

A group of people dressed in winter clothes and some in royal robes smile during winter carnival.

Long Lake Winter Carnival, 1/14/2023

This carnival is full of fun for the whole family! Live ice carvings, the royal coronation, cardboard sled races, the ladies frying pan toss, and more! Stick around until 6:00 p.m. and see the fireworks show. 

Long Lake Winter Birding Weekend, 1/28-29/23

Join Joan Collins for a weekend full of beautiful winter birding. Registration is required for this event so be sure to call 518-624-3077 ASAP!

Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby, 2/4/2023

This fishing derby takes place on Long Lake and Lake Eaton, with prizes for salmon, trout, and northern pike. The awards ceremony will take place at the Long Lake Diner at 3:30 p.m.!

Raquette Lake 

Raquette Lake might be small, but there are big winter events!

A young child in a colorful jacket holds a fish caught while ice fishing.

Annual Mike Norris Fishing Derby, 1/28/2023

This fishing derby is held on the last Saturday in January on Raquette Lake. Registration starts at 6 a.m. at the Raquette Lake Fire Hall. First line in is 7 a.m.!

Raquette Lake Winter Carnival, 2/18-19/2023

Celebrate winter in style at the Raquette Lake Winter Carnival! This event will have activities for everyone! Kids activities start at 11 a.m. and later in the afternoon you can try your hand at the ladies frying pan toss or play some ice golf. Saturday night will have fireworks at dusk. Sunday is the timed cross-cut and chainsaw competition!

Indian Lake

Nestled in the Adirondacks, Indian Lake is a robust community offering exciting attractions, a vibrant heritage, and easy-access outdoor recreation. And fun winter events for the entire family!

Three snowmobiles race on a groomed trail.

Indian Lake Ice Fishing Derby, Late February 2023

Details on this event are still forthcoming, but check in with the Indian Lake Fish & Game Association for more information!

Snocade, 2/18-25/2023

Snocade is always an eventful week in Indian Lake! Celebrate all things snow with family events, snowmobile time trials, movies at the Indian Lake Theater, kitty kat races, cardboard sled races, snowmobile safety courses, and much more!


We hope to see you this winter in Hamilton County! Don't forget to make your lodging and dining reservations so you don't miss out on any of the fun.

*Think snow!*

Summer Events for 2023

By the time the end of spring starts rolling around, we all start going a little stir crazy. We've been cooped up for a few months, spring cleaning, dodging the rain and mud. If you...

Winter Events 2022-2023

Looking for something to keep you busy in the winter months? We have got some events coming up to keep you entertained! The new year looks promising and there are a lot of exciting...

Where to Chill Out and Where to Warm Up

We get lots of snow here in the winter, so why not get out and enjoy it? Here is a list of places where you can go to chill out and have some fun, and some places to shake that...

Inlet in the Fall

Fall in the Adirondacks is the perfect time to visit. The weather has cooled down, but we still get the occasional gorgeous summer-like day. The scenery is unbeatable, and the...

Spring Skiing in Inlet

On a recent sunny and beautiful March day, I had the opportunity to get out of the office and head out to experience Inlet. The sun was shining, the temperature was rising...

Winter Bucket List

Winter this year may look a little different than previous years. Regulations have tightened a bit and we may not be able to spend as much time indoors as other years. Why not make...

Where to Find the Coolest Stuff

If you are anything like me, when you have the chance to do some shopping, you love to wander around and spend time looking at everything. Whether you are in the market for a...

Best Places to Fish

We all know that avid fishermen are notoriously tight-lipped about their fishing spots. So much so that when I asked around about favorites, the most useful response I got was "on...

5 Reasons to Snowmobile Hamilton County

Winter is most fun when you get outdoors and play in the snow, and this doesn’t change the older we get. A favorite winter pasttime in the Adirondacks is snowmobiling, and the...

It’s Time To Think Snow!

OK, I know what you're thinking: No. Way. "I haven't even gone trick-or-treating with the kids yet." "I have 17 relatives coming for Thanksgiving dinner!" But...YES, WAY! Now is the...

Top 4 Scenic Foliage Drives

Indian Lake to Speculator   Trip distance: 34 miles This drive will give you gorgeous scenic views of the fall foliage, as well as views of two beautiful Adirondack lakes. Starting...

Summertime = Beachtime

One of my favorite summertime activities here in the Adirondacks is taking my kids and spending the day at the beach. We love to go to the public beach in Speculator. This is the...

Things To Do Indoors

We are right in the thick of winter here in the Adirondacks and let me tell you what, it has been COLD! There have been many consecutive nights of negative temperatures — some...

Plan Out Your Adirondack Winter!

C'mon, everyone! Get ready for some winter fun! (And maybe cross a few gift purchases off your list!) When I woke up this morning, it was 4 degrees. There's also a nice 2-inch layer...

Adirondack Fourth of July

One of my favorite times of the year is coming up — and it's coming up fast! I don't know about you, but when I think about summer, I think about camping, s'mores, fireworks, and...

Black Fly Challenge... Accepted!

 Editor's note: The annual Black Fly Challenge will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017. Not sure what the challenge is or why you would want to take it? Check out this fun blog...

Valentine's Day Tradition

While this will be mine and my husband's first Valentine's Day as a married couple, it is hardly our first rodeo. This will be our 11th Valentine's Day together. Our first being on...

Fall Festivals

A notable temperature shift has been happening over the last couple of weeks, making many people realize summer is coming to an end! While we may be packing away the beach chairs...

Bar Hopping

Here in the Adirondacks we know how to enjoy life. We're always up for camping, paddling, fishing, hiking, and more. But we also enjoy relaxing, and what better way to do that than...

Prepping for the 90-Miler

  The Adirondack Canoe Classic (a.k.a The 90-Miler) Adirondack Canoe Classic, Day Two Start - Photo by Alexandra Roalsvig, provided by The Town of Long Lake. The weekend after...

Summer Events

Ready for a Summer Vacation? Its time to pack up the RV and hit the road! Summer is just around the corner and the Adirondacks is the place to be. Whether you prefer to immerse...

A memorable wedding getaway in Inlet

Inlet is the perfect place for an Adirondack wedding getaway. My boyfriend Andy and I were invited to a wedding in Inlet last summer, and we decided to make a full weekend escape...

Birders Flock to the Central Adirondacks!

 Winter Birds in the Central Adirondacks The winter birds of Long Lake, Newcomb, and Minerva have been a magnet for visiting birders this season. In addition to our year-round...

Adirondack Ice Bowl

The Annual Adirondack Ice Bowl Pond Hockey Tournament, which has been happening since 2009, will once again be held on 4th Lake in Inlet. Participants and spectators alike look...

5 Destinations to Visit Via Snowmobile

Destination Snowmobile! Got the itch? No, not that kind of itch! I'm talking about the one where you are pacing back in forth in front of your sled, just waiting for enough snow to...

2015-2016 Winter Events

As the cold sets in you may want to bundle up and wait the winter out - but then you would miss out on so many great events going on in the heart of the Adirondacks! From ice...

October events in the southern Adirondacks

October has always been my favorite time of the year. The cool crisp air, the new colorful landscape, and Halloween! There is still so much going on in the Adirondacks! Try Your...