Posted in New York Seasonal November 07, 2022 by

The Amazing Natural Ice Skating Rink In New York You’ll Want To Visit

Inspiring our residents to get outdoors and enjoy the breathtaking winter scenery, you’re probably starting to plan out what winter activities you want to cross off of your bucket list for this year. Surrounding you with snow-capped mountains and small-town charm, this one natural ice skating rink in New York is more beautiful than you could imagine.

A stunning winter destination to visit, the village of Lake Placid surrounds the Adirondack's Mirror Lake.
Lake Placid ADK/Facebook
Beginning in the winter of 2013, the village creates a 2-mile-long ice skating track out on the lake for visitors to come and enjoy as long as the ice is thick enough!
Lake Placid Region/Flickr
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ice skating out on Mirror Lake is free and open to the public.
Lake Placid ADK/Facebook
You'll find plenty of people enjoying dog-sled rides and going for winter strolls when you're out on the water.
TrpReviwr/TripAdvisor
And around the lake, you can also find pick-up hockey games and other smaller, cleared-out rinks for people to skate on.
TrpReviwr/TripAdvisor
Incredible to experience no matter what time of day it is, this is one winter activity that everyone should cross off of their bucket list.
Michael Kreho/Flickr
Bonus! You also won't want to forget that on Mirror Lake there's also the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute.
momand5kids/TripAdvisor
Sending smiles out onto the lake since the 1960s, the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute is a 30-foot-high converted ski jump. Just one of the many winter activities that you can enjoy out on this natural ice skating rink!

To find out more information about ice skating in Lake Placid, click here.

To get a peak at all the reasons why we love to visit Lake Placid during the winter, check out the gorgeous aerial footage below provided by Lake Placid ADK via Facebook.

What frozen body of water is your favorite to go skating over during the winter? Speaking of winter… here are 14 Things No One Tells You About Surviving A New York Winter!

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Winter in New York

November 12, 2022
William Suphan

What is winter like in New York?

This is what winter is like in New York:

  • The Adirondacks is the coldest area of New York with temperatures between 18-23°F during the day and plummeting to -2 to 4°F at night. 
  • New York City, Hudson Valley, and Long Island are the warmest areas in the state during winter with high temperatures between 37-42°F. 
  • New York averages over 175 inches of snowfall per year in the Adirondacks and the southwestern area of the state gets from 150 to 180 inches per year.
  • The coldest temperature recorded in New York was -52°F at Stillwater Reservoir in 1934. 

These are the most intense winter storms that show what winter is like in New York. 

What are some popular winter activities in New York?

Here are some popular winter activities in New York:

  • Skiing and snowboarding  - These are very popular winter activities in New York, especially in the Adirondacks at places like Gore Mountain, Whiteface Mountain, and Oak Mountain.
  • Winter hiking and snowshoeing - upstate New York is full of trails made for hiking and snowshoeing all winter long.
  • Winter camping - For the more adventurous people, there are millions of acres of backcountry that are prime for winter camping. The Siamese Ponds Wilderness is a popular location.
  • Snowmobiling - Locals greatly enjoy snowmobiling, especially at locations such as the Adirondacks Tug Hill Plateau and the lake George Region.

Here are nine amazing places for snow tubing as a popular winter activity in New York. 

What are the most popular winter getaways in New York?

These are some of the most popular winter getaways in New York:

  • Rocking Horse Ranch Resort - Located in the Hudson Valley, this resort is a local favorite, offering horseback riding, horse-drawn carriage rides, and ample space for skiing, ice skating, and snow tubing. 
  • Niagara Falls - The falls and the surrounding area are popular winter destinations in New York. The Aquarium of Niagara has penguins and sea lions to admire.
  • Finger Lakes - In the Rochester area, Finger Lakes has the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden and the Strong National Museum of Play. There is also a lot of skiing on Bristol Mountain.

Here are 11 winter day trips that are popular winter getaways in New York.