This weekend in the Adirondacks is full of fun events, including the Winter World University Games, the Long Lake Winter Carnival, the first ever Ski Burning Ceremony, and more. Check out our top picks below!
January 12-22
The 31st FISU Winter World University Games are being held in Lake Placid from January 12-22! This historic event will have 11 days of athletic competition with 3,000+ participants from over 60 nations and 600 universities. These are the first FISU Games since 2019, when they were hosted in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, so it’s an extra special competition. Visit to see the competition and drop in to the Sundeck Parties as well.
January Santanoni Winter Weekend
January 14-16
Historic Camp Santanoni is hosting three winter weekends this year, and the first will be held this weekend! Visitors will have the opportunity to see inside the Gate and Main Lodges of the camp, view displays about Camp Santanoni’s history, and take short interpretive tours with Adirondack Architectural Heritage volunteers. There will also be the opportunity for a longer, 10-mile tour of the camp.
Lantern Lit Sleigh/Wagon Rides & Speakeasy Dinner
January 14-15
Enjoy sleigh rides (or horse-drawn wagon rides, if there’s no snow) this weekend at Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat Center. Reservations are required, and you can also package your ride with a Speakeasy Dinner Experience put on by the Lake Clear Lodge, during which you’ll learn about the Prohibition and maybe even get raided by a 1920’s copper!
First Ever Ski Burning Ceremony
January 14
The town of Long Lake is ready to call the snow! Donate old Nordic and alpine skis (with no bindings) for the inaugural ski burning ceremony on Saturday, where the town will create a huge bonfire to help convince Ullr, the Nordic god of archery and hunting, to send snow to the ADK. You can also bring your Christmas tree to burn!
January 14
This weekend marks the 21st anniversary of the Long Lake Winter Carnival! The event will have ice skating, royalty, cardboard sled races, fun events for kids, women, and men, and of course, fireworks to round out the evening. Check it out and enjoy a day of fun!
What Else is New:
- University Games After-Parties w/ Live Music from Darkside Skinny Dippers: January 13
- Sundeck Parties During the World University Games: January 12-23
- Living History Event: 1776 Supplying Our Army in Canada: January 14
- Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe 5K/10K Snowshoe Race & Kids’ Snowshoe Scramble: January 15
- Wild Lights: January 13-21
