Posts

Showing posts with the label winter activity

Backyard Birdfeeder Watch November - April

Image
Project Feeder Watch is a winter-long bird feeder watch program involving nature centers, individuals, backyards and other organizations. Join in the fun and help  Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada track bird movements. Scientists relay on people of all skill levels to participate to help them track data of winter bird populations and long-term trends.     There is a fee involved ($18/nonmembers, $15/members) Kits are shipped between October and February. The current season is  November 14, 2015  through April 8, 2016 New project participants  receive a bird-identification poster, bird-feeding information, and instructional materials.   New and renewing participants  receive a calendar, a tally sheet, and paper forms.  Just count the birds that come to your feeder. You report only the highest number of each species you see in view at one time.  This is a fun winter projects for all fami...

Ski or Ride FREE with NYS Third and Fourth Grader Passport

Image
This Adirondack Mama always thinks that I have stumbled upon the deal of the century, only to find that everyone is already in on the family fun. So just in case I am not the last person to find out that New York State is once again offering the FREE Ski and Ride Passport Program to all third (3rd) and fourth (4th) grade children, I’m here to let you in on the secret. The program was first established in 2000 to introduce children to skiing and promote a healthy lifestyle choice. The passport offers free lift tickets to 31  New York ski mountains including 7 Adirondack ski resorts and other discounts like soft drink coupons. Personally, the beverage option seems to cancel out the healthy lifestyle choice. On the other hand, perhaps it may help encourage a child to get off the couch and onto the slopes.

Adirondack Full Moon: Cross-Country Ski or Snowshoe Options for the Full Moon

Image
© Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Time By Diane Chase An Adirondack Full Moon Ski, Hike or Swim?  One Adirondack family activity we always enjoy is taking our cross-country skies and hitting a trail. The kids find it exciting and we get to experience nature in a new way.  You can take your family to enjoy a planned event or find a quiet place and have kids find out what animals are starting to wake up at night! Always bring a headlamp whether you are out on your favorite trail or participating in an organized event! Enjoy!

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT FEBRUARY 15- 18

Image
WHAT IS THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT?  How to do the Great Backyard Bird Count The Great Backyard Bird Count is a four-day event to gain a real-time idea of where birds are located across the continent. Anyone from novice to expert bird watcher can participate. It is free and fun for all members of the family. 1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count. You can count each day or just some of the days and you can count in different places. Just be sure to keep a separate list of birds for each day and each location. 2. For each type of bird you see, count the most you see at any one time. For example, maybe you see two chickadees when you start watching, then five chickadees a few minutes later. The number you put on your list for chickadees is five. Do NOT add two plus five. (This way way you don't accidentally count the same bird twice.) You may find it helpful to print out your  regional bird checklist  to get an idea ...

Catch the Geminid Meteor Shower Dec 13-14, 2012

Image
The Geminids are usually the last and one of the most prolific meteor showers of the year. the August Perseids is the other major meteor shower.  This December 13-14, the new moon will provide a dark sky, better providing a grand backdrop for these showers. Also known as Falling Stars or Shooting Stars , a meteor shower appears as streaks of light when a meteorite enters the earth's atmosphere. A comet will pass too close to the sun and small bits of debris will break off leaving a trail of small pieces. When the earth rotates through the comet's path, these small pieces burn looking like falling stars. When? December 13-14 starting at dusk with good viewing starting around 9 EST and best viewing around 1 am on the 14th. What to wear? Dress warmly. It may not happen immediately.

Hunting Season in the Adirondacks! Spring Turkey Season

Image
Just a reminder when spring Turkey hunting season starts in the northern Adirondacks. This type of hunting season does not have the intensity of Big Game season, that takes place in the fall. Spring Turkey Youth Hunt is April 21-23, 2012 eligible to youth 12-15 years of age. Even though my family does not hunt, I always feel it is a good idea to know who I am sharing the woods with. Have a wonderful, active time! Early Bear: September 19 - October 17 Archery Big Game: September 27 – October 23 Black Powder Big Game: October 17-23 Regular/Rifle Big Game: October 24– December 6 Late Black powder (limited DMU’s): December 7 – 13 Turkey: Spring: May 1 -31, Fall: October 1 – 23  Other small game seasons: (Squirrel and cottontail rabbit) open on October 1 but some WMU’s open earlier than others.   The same goes for Grouse hunting which starts as early as September 20 in parts of the Adirondacks. Waterfowl seasons vary by region and a separate stamp is ne...

Schroon Lake to Lake Placid: Ten Ideas for Winter Activities

I am often sent emails from people looking for activities to do with children or family members of all ages. I am honored to be able to suggest ideas. (My email is below but do to very unpleasant spammers I can't make it a live link.) Below are a few ideas from Schroon Lake to Lake Placid, along the "Adirondack Lake Champlain Coast. Inside activities: These suggestions all have some sort of cost: pan for gems at High Falls Gorge  518-946-2278 , Wilmington (also beautiful trails, waterfall), paint your own pottery at Brush On In, Lake Placid    518.523.6554 , go to the Essex County Fish Hatchery in Crown Point (for a few quarters the kids can feed the fish)  518) 597-3844 .  Ice skating  gets tricky this time of year. We have had so many melts and freezes. Schroon Lake and Ticonderoga flood the tennis/basketball courts or by the beach for an outdoor ice rink but that is not currently available but the playground at the Schroon Lake public beac...

2012 Adirondack Ski Discounts

Image
Though some people choose to stick to their favorite mountain for the ski season, others move around to experience all the downhill opportunities available in the Adirondacks. Here is my latest write-up of ski mountain discounts around the Adirondack Park. For those with ski passes don’t forget about the Reciprocal Pass Program between Gore , Titus , McCauley , Mt. Pisgah and Whiteface . This program allows the season pass holder to either ski for free on certain days or at a reduced cost. There are also significant savings available for the mid-week non-season pass holder. McCauley Mountain holds to their Crazy Eight Days. Each Friday from January through April offers adult lift tickets for just $12.00. ( Crazy Fridays excludes December 23 & 30, 2011 & February 24, 2012 .)

Lake Placid Holiday Stroll Schedule 2011

Lake Placid will celebrate it's annual Holiday Village Stroll December 9-11, 2011. There are many family-friendly activities from a FREE movie at the Palace Theatre to arts and crafts at the High Peaks Resort.  Friday, December 9, 2011 5:00-7:00 pm Artist Reception at the  Northwoods Inn 6:30-8:30 pm FREE  Holiday Skating Party at the Olympic Center with free skate rental. Featuring Santa, hot cocoa and a performance by regional skating clubs. Evening Hours Local restaurants & bars will feature live music, happy hour, great food, and much more!   Saturday, December 10, 2011 8:30 am Jingle Bell Charity Run -  Village Beach - Registration at 7:00 am To benefit the Adirondack Health Center Fit For Life program 10:00 am Local shops will have special promotions all day. 10:00-2:00 pm Harvest Market at the  LPCA 11:00-11:30 am FREE  Holiday Story Time at  Mirror Lake Inn 12:00-1:00 pm Santa arrives on a Fire Truck at Mid's Park...

Adirondack Ski Mountain Ski Swaps

By Diane Chase, from my weekly Adirondack Almanack post Being an active family, my kids seems to outgrown their sporting gear before I’ve finished tying up the laces. For other parents looking to outfit their children for the winter ski season, a ski swap is a nice starting place. A ski swap can also be a much-needed opportunity to clean house Generally the ski swaps are consignments where you drop off your gear, helmets, and winter clothing a day before the event. If the gear sells then you will receive 80% of the set sale price. Usually the funds generated benefit a special organization like ski clubs or ski patrols so the 20% commission goes to support the sport. It is best to ask what each ski swap's arrangement is, as it varies with location. Keep in mind no “collector’s items” like wooden skis and only clothing in good condition.   Lake Placid: November 5, 9:00 a.m. – noon In Lake Placid, the   Lake Placid Ski Club/NYSEF Ski Swap   is asking for any winter ...

Whiteface Mountain and Gore Season Passes: Deadline June 21

Image
It is challenging to think about snow when the mercury hits 90 but if you love a discount and plan on buying a season pass to either Whiteface or Gore than now is the time to do it.  ( BTW, I have nothing to do with Whiteface or Gore but hate to pay full price for anything.)  Whiteface Mountain and Gore Season Passes: Deadline  June 21 Adult Non-Holiday Whiteface / Gore $565 Adult Full Season Whiteface / Gore $720 There are additional benefits for Season Pass Holder Benefits: 1 Complimentary Summer Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride 1 $5 Off Adult Admission to Oktoberfest 2 Tickets to a Saturday Night Ice Show this Summer 2 42% Off Any Food, Beverage or Merchandise Purchase 1 50% Off a Quick Tune Available Non-Holidays 2 Bring a Friend and Save $10 Off One Day Lift Ticket Anytime 2 Bring a Friend and Save $25 Off One Day Lift Mid-Week, Non-Holiday Lift Ticket

10 ways to enjoy Thurman Maple Weekend: Adirondack Family Activities

Image
By Diane Chase Here are ten ways to enjoy Thurman New York (NY) Maple Weekend this March 12-13. With the weather starting to warm up, the sap will start running and it will be pancakes for everyone!  March 12-13, 2011 1) 9:00 a.m. Enjoy a pancake breakfast at Valley Road Maple Farm. (on Saturday and Sunday) 2) Grab your snowshoes or borrow a pair from Adirondack Gold Maple Farm and walk around the 35 acres of trails. 

Adirondack Ski: Lake Placid Connery Pond Cross-Country Ski

Image
A quick and easy Adirondack family activity is taking snowshoes or cross-country skis to Connery Pond. A longer ski is continuing on to Whiteface Landing.  Connery Pond is a beautiful cross-country ski or snowshoe. Located just 3-miles east on Route 86 from the Route 73/86 junction in Lake Placid. It is a level, easy path for any age.  Parking is just past the Connery Pond sign, on the right. Park and cross the highway to access the trail

Lake Placid with kids? Adirondack Family Activities & Disney on Ice!

Image
Treat your little princess (or prince) to a weekend at the Lake Placid Olympic Center with Disney on Ice.  This is family time at its best!  So don't be discouraged by this warm weather, you can be back skiing the slopes of Whiteface tomorrow. Enjoy some inside activities and leave plenty of time to hit the slopes tomorrow! There are tickets still available! Times Friday, February 18: 7:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19: 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Sunday, February 20: 3:00 p.m. Monday, February 21: 2:00 p.m.   Ticket prices: $35 for rinkside seating $20 lower level seating $15 upper level seating  

Things to do in Lake Placid: Skating on Mirror Lake

Image
Public skating on Mirror Lake!  By Diane Chase  Ice skating on Mirror Lake is just one option for getting outside, exercising and being in nature.  There is no better experience than being outside and skating on a natural pond looking out at the Adirondack High Peaks.  There are warnings in place for skating on ponds and lakes. Please heed those warnings, for your own safety.  According to the Saranac Lake Voluntary Fire Department  , "NO ICE IS SAFE ICE." • Frozen ice is seldom the same at the shore as it is in the center of the pond.  • Some Adirondack lakes are actually dammed rivers and have a current that seldom freezes (Lake Flower in Saranac Lake) 

Things to do in Inlet, NY: Adirondack Inlet's Fern Park

Image
By Diane Chase Fern Park in Inlet, New York (NY)  offers free skating, sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails for just a few winter ideas. Since we try to always be prepared, the back of our mini van looks like a traveling sports shop. Ice skates, snowshoes or skis are in the back. Helmets are at the ready. Kids play on around a snow maze Our family likes to see all sorts of places around the Adirondacks. Winter looks just a bit different in the High Peaks than it does in the Central Adirondacks. A visit to Inlet allows us many opportunities to play and enjoy the outdoors and all for free. The indoor ice rink has attached warming room and restrooms The Fern Park Ice Rink is free and open to the public every day from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m (weather dependent). Fern Park Recreational Area in Inlet can be a full day activity for families or a quick stop for kids/children to release some pent-up energy. 

What to do with kids: Tupper Lake Winter Golf Tournament February 12

Image
Lions and Rotary Club volunteers stage Tupper Lake’s first “Fire and Ice” winter golf event on February 12 at the Tupper Lake Municipal Park. The Tupper Lake Municipal Park and a number of acres of frozen Raquette Pond will be the setting for the “Fire and Ice” play beginning at noon and running until 4p.m.. Kids will love the miniature “putt-putt” course fashioned by organizers on the lakeshore area later this week. The putters and flags to mark the holes have been donated by Shaheen’s Motel, from its summer miniature golf operation.

What to do in Lake Placid: Toboggan Chute

Image
By Diane Chase I t wasn't so long ago that my children would not venture onto amusement rides alone. Now I am left on the merry-go-round watching while the two of them twist and turn on roller coasters with names like Hurricane and Avalanche. Somehow they convince me that going down the   Lake Placid Toboggan Chute   will not be the same thing. 

Fun with Kids in the Adirondacks Long Lake Sledding

Image
Mt. Sabattis is Long Lake's free sledding hill next to the Geiger Arena.  This is a great place to spend a few hours or a good portion of your day. There is also free ice skating available.  One suggestion: post one person at the top of the ridge at the bottom of the hill between your children and the street.  A long walk up Mt. Sabattis sledding hill in Long Lake Getting the boot A slippery slide! 

What to do in Lake Placid? Ice Skating at the Olympic Oval

Image
By Diane Chase We slip into our skates for the first time of the season at the outdoor rink best known as Lake Placid   Olympic Oval . My blades are rusty and I thrust my foot down the throat of the boot, trying to make my foot pair with the skate. Eyes are pulled out of one side and the laces are frayed. My foot is in a wrestling hold with the boot while the skates look like they lost a fight while in storage. I wonder if this is the year to invest in a new pair?