Winter Road Trips

True adventurers will not let a little snow and cold prevent them from exploring. A New England winter road trip is the perfect time to enjoy crisp mountain air in the Adirondacks, snowy peaks from the perch on a chairlift, and historic festivals like the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. Yes, there is nothing quite like New England in the winter.

Exploring the area by car is a great way to stop at the spots that interest you most. Get ready to see all the scenery you like and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

Each year in February, Saranac Lake plays host to one of the Northeast’s longest traditions, the Saranac Winter Carnival. Although today’s event probably doesn’t look much like the first festival that took place in 1897, it still attracts visitors from miles around and offers plenty of family-friendly fun. Festival attendees can experience the coronation of the festival’s king and queen, collect the annual special button, and take in the grandeur of the unique palace, built entirely out of ice.

Mt. Van Hoevenberg Mountain Coaster

The best winter drives in New England embrace the cold and snow instead of fearing it. Visitors to Mt. Van Hoevenberg must brace themselves for a cold blast of arctic air if they choose to take a ride on the Mountain Coaster during the winter. Following the path of the 1932 and 1980 Lake Placid Olympics bobsled track, riders control their own speed down the mountain while experiencing an amazing perspective on nature that few people ever get to experience.

Outdoor Adventures at Belleayre Mountain

Of course, one of the best reasons to plan winter road trips in the Northeast is to indulge in winter sports like skiing. At Belleayre Mountain, visitors can experience the first chairlift in New York State, downhill skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and scenic enclosed gondola rides up and down the mountain.

Winter Adventures at Speculator

Speculator, New York, bills itself as the “All-Season Vacationland” because of the wide variety of activities available for visitors all year round. During the winter months, snowmobiling is especially popular, but there is also plenty of fun to be had simply soaking in the charm of a quaint New York village with a fresh dusting of snow.

North Pole, NY

No winter road trip around New England would be complete without a stop at the North Pole, of course. Visitors to North Pole, NY, can take photos with Santa, visit with Santa’s reindeer, shop for Christmas ornaments and décor, and sing carols around an outdoor fire pit. It’s the perfect place to get in the holiday spirit.