History, Natural History & the Arts
With the return of winter and a decent snowpack in the Adirondack backcountry, this is the perfect time to explore a new trail or area that you have never experienced before.
For this outing I chose the Powerhouse and Cascades Trails in the Historic Great Camps Special Management Area, which is part of the Blue Ridge Wilderness located in Raquette Lake, in Hamilton County, NY. [Read more…] about A Nordic Ski Adventure in Raquette Lake
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued an avalanche warning, advising backcountry downhill skiers, snowboarders, and all outdoor adventurers who may traverse slides or steep, open terrain in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks to be aware of and prepared for avalanche conditions.
Several avalanches have been reported in the High Peaks over recent weeks. Forecast weather will exacerbate existing conditions, making them even more prone to sliding. [Read more…] about Avalanche Warning Issued For Adirondack Mountains
On Saturday, February 11, 2023, around 2:40 pm, New York State Police responded to Whiteface Mountain Ski Area on State Route 86, in the town of Wilmington, Essex County, for a report of an injured skier.
Whiteface EMS and Wilmington Rescue rendered aid to the skier, before he was transported to University Vermont Medical Center by life flight for a life-threatening head injury. [Read more…] about 14-Year-Old Seriously Injured At Whiteface Mountain
The history the Catskills as a winter sports destination dates back to at least the 1920s, but the attempt to create a year around vacationland did not meet with immediate success. In fact, some spectacular showings at a few of the hotels over the ensuing years notwithstanding, the effort was still largely hit or miss well into the 1950s.
Grossinger’s had entertained more than 850 guests over the Christmas-New Year holidays in 1929, and had its largest weekend ever up until that time, winter or summer, on Washington’s Birthday weekend in 1941, but no hotel – not even Grossinger’s – was able to do that kind of winter business on a regular basis. [Read more…] about Catskills Ski Resorts’ Early History
Gore Mountain will host the FISU World University Games, featuring top collegiate athletes from around the world as they compete in events including Snowboard Cross, Ski Cross, Slopestyle, Snowboard Slalom, and Big Air, from Monday, January 9th through Sunday, January 22nd. [Read more…] about Gore Mountain Changes During World University Games
On November 3rd, seven Forest Rangers participated in gondola training at Gore Mountain Ski Area in Johnsburg, Warren County.
Each year, Rangers and Gore Mountain staff train for gondola rescues in preparation for the ski season. [Read more…] about Rangers Take Part in Gondola Rescue Training
Protect the Adirondacks supports a proposed Article 14 Constitutional Amendment for the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex outside Lake Placid.
At the Mt. Van Hoevenberg complex, the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) currently manages around 1,220 acres of Forest Preserve classified as Intensive Use by the Adirondack Park Agency (APA). Abutting these lands is 319 acres of land owned by the Town of North Elba. Together this complex houses the Olympic bobsled and luge track, cross-country skiing and biathlon trails, and associated facilities, with most of the intensive buildings and facilities located on the town lands. [Read more…] about Peter Bauer: It’s Time To Pass A Constitutional Amendment For Mount Van Hoevenberg
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has advised backcountry users in the Adirondacks, especially the High Peaks region, of potential avalanche risk following mild temperatures and high winds. Avalanche danger increases during thaws when warmer weather and rain melt existing snowpack and snow becomes increasingly unstable as it undergoes freeze/thaw cycles. [Read more…] about Recent Avalanches A Reminder That Adirondacks’ Avalanche Risk Is High
The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) has announced they are accepting public comment regarding Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan conformance for proposed amendments to the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center Unit Management Plan. The Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) has proposed new management actions to increase public accessibility, improve user safety and enhance recreational experiences. The APA will accept public comments until April 11th, 2022. [Read more…] about Whiteface Mountain Ski Center Management Plan Comments Sought
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Snowy Mtn Skier Rescued; ATV, Snowmobile Accidents; Flood Response