Page 42 - DreamScapes Magazine | Winter 2024/2025

THE ORIGINAL
VACATION
It’s in Warren County
BY KAREN BURSHTEIN
is a string of charming towns and hamlets that opens
Warren County, the southern gateway to the Adirondacks,
the door to western New York cities like Rochester. It
also draws a lot of road-tripping Canadians who take
scenic drives along NY-9 or NY-418. At the heart of this Southern
Adirondacks stretch lies Lake George. This crown jewel—a
51.5-kilometre-long lake with a maximum 61-metre depth—has
been celebrated as one of the most pristine in the world. In winter,
some areas of the lake turn glassy—its frozen surface popular for
ice skating. After all, Lake George practically branded the notion
of the “Original Vacation.”
An Array of Incredible Snowy Experiences
The county still radiates that outdoor spirit, especially during
winter when it transforms into a snowy playground. A favourite
frozen event is the annual Ice Bars strewn with lakeside eye-pop-
ping ice sculptures. Winter fun also happens at Adirondack Pub &
Brewery, known for its Funky Ice Fest. The ice bar parties at venues
like the Gem, the Lagoon, and the Sagamore have become legend-
ary. For active fun, take part in a broomball game on Brant Lake or
a lively human foosball match. Then, step into the magic of the
Ice Castles, an enchanting display with 100,000 twinkling lights,
colossal snowmen, and glowing trees. The Lake George Winter
Carnival, a weekend fest every February, adds quirky thrills, from
outhouse races and chili cook-offs to the invigorating Polar Plunge.
“Ski the 3”
For skiers, the county offers three top resorts. Gore Mountain,
which boasts seven peaks, 14 lifts, 108 trails and a vertical drop of
nearly 775 metres, is New York’s largest ski resort, yet retains a
sense of discovery with uncrowded blue and black runs. Family-
owned West Mountain has drawn snow lovers for generations,
boasting 35 trails and a popular tubing park. Then there’s Hickory
Ski Center, a small, independent resort with a charming vintage
vibe, offering a challenging 366-metre vertical drop.
Go Cosy
Not every winter day has to be action-packed. An easy walk
through the county’s enchanting forests doesn’t require snow-
shoes—just a sense of wonder. Or, enjoy the beauty through the
windows at The Hyde Collection, a small museum that houses
an impressive collection of European and American art, from
Rembrandt to Rauschenberg. Afterward, cosy up with a leisurely
fireside lunch, where you might just spot a white-tailed deer
prancing across the snowy landscape. In the evening, catch a
thrilling hockey game at the Cool Insuring Arena.
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
For more travel information about Warren County, NY, see
visitlakegeorge.com
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DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2024/2025
DID YOU KNOW?
Warren County’s outdoor charm isn’t new. Back in 1869,
Boston minister William H.H. Murray’s Adventures in the
Wilderness introduced the idea of wilderness as something
to be enjoyed, not endured. Later, in 1941, LIFE magazine
immortalized this spirit with iconic photos of a young couple
vacationing in Warren County, near Lake George. R+R
weekends in nature have been popular ever since.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF WARREN COUNTY