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New York

Choose Your Pace: Cross-Country Skiing the Adirondacks

Program No. 23189RJ
Learn about the winter wonderland of the Adirondacks as you explore by snowshoe or cross-country ski! Choose from different activities each day with expert instructors.

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Participant Reviews
5
Based on 35 Reviews
SHOWING
Nancy – Class of 2025 | Fremont, CA
I am a 70 year old "active" woman. I had only snowshoed a few times. I found the activities were well divided with choices to participate at a level I felt comfortable. I would say, it was very challenging, but it was a wonderful experience to be is such a beautiful lodge and in the Adirondacks. The leader and experts were top notch.
— Review left March 11, 2025
Mary – Class of 2021 | Liberty, MO
perfect setting excellent guides/staff perfect length of program excellent equipment lodging and food were very good
— Review left March 9, 2025
Martha – Class of 2019 | New York, NY
If you are a beginner or seasoned XCountry skier this program will work for you. Trails and instruction were excellent. If you ever wanted to try XCountry this is a good place to begin. Loved it. The snow shoe participants spoke highly of the trails and guides. I plan to return and many participants were repeat visitors to this wonderful lodge.
— Review left February 15, 2025
Barbara Ruth – Class of 2024 | Yonkers, NY
This is a great program: activities, lodge, food, and other participants were all thoroughly enjoyable. I was a complete beginner and would like to go back. Do note, however, that unless you have prior experience with skiing, you shouldn't plan on easily switching back and forth between cross country and snow shoeing. You need to take advantage of the lessons to build your skiing muscles and comfort level. Next time I'll probably opt to snowshoe throughout.
— Review left February 15, 2025
Claire – Class of 2017 | Freehold, NJ
Choose Your Own Pace:Cross-Country Skiing the Adirondacks was a wonderful program which also included snowshoeing, my mode of transportation for getting out into snowy areas! I thoroughly enjoy being surrounded by the peace and quiet of a forest covered with snow with only the sound of my snowshoes breaking trail. There is something magical watching the lake and surrounding trees being covered with lightly falling snow and outside in the midst of it all. The location of Garnet Hill Lodge for this program is spectacular!
— Review left February 1, 2025
Leah – Class of 2024 | Randolph, NJ
Amazing experience. Lovely accommodations, great skiing trails and fabulous insstructors!!!
— Review left February 1, 2025
Margaret – Class of 2018 | Durham, NC
If you enjoy winter activities, this is a great trip. Whether cross country skiing or snowshoeing there is lovely scenery to enjoy while you get your heartrate up!
— Review left January 17, 2025
Nancy – Class of 2011 | Lunenburg, MA
A wonderful exploration of the southern region of the Adirondack Park both through lectures and field trips, as well as snowshoe hikes or cross-country skis.
— Review left January 17, 2025
Lisa – Class of 2025 | Ann Arbor, MI
My goal was to learn the fundamentals of classic nordic cross country skiing and that goal was definitely met. I now feel confident to go out on my own and enjoy this beautiful sport. This was my first program with Road Scholar and I am so excited to sign up for others. The others on the trip were active, engaged learners and it was inspiring to be around them. Garnet Hill Lodge was a very peaceful and relaxing location. I feel both invigorated and relaxed by this experience. Wonderful trip!
— Review left January 11, 2025
Nancy – Class of 2023 | Mahtomedi, MN
I strongly recommend this program! Jim and the guides were enthusiastic and provided multiple options for activities every day, despite some challenging weather. The trails were beautiful and the lodge is a great place to stay. I would consider doing this trip again.
— Review left March 16, 2024
Sandra – Class of 2023 | Rochester, NY
If you love the mountains this is a fun place to visit and worth the effort
— Review left March 9, 2024
Patricia – Class of 2020 | Terrace Park, OH
The Garnet Hill winter experience far exceeded my expectations. This was my first winter sport trip. I found the Garnet Hill staff to be attentive, warm, and very skillful in guiding us. This trip has inspired me to challenge myself further both at home and in future trips. Who would guess that winter trails and warm fires could provide so much enjoyment?
— Review left March 4, 2024
Victoria – Class of 2011 | Wilmington, DE
Snowshoeing in the Adirondacks and staying at Garnet Hill Lodge is about as authentic a snow vacation as you can have. Nights by the fire, learning about the history of the “snow train” and the making of maple syrup made me long for the simple life again.
— Review left February 12, 2024
Liz – Class of 2024 | Grantsville, MD
The Adirondack cross-country ski trip was our first RS experience. We especially liked the 'choose-your-own pace' option and highly recommend this trip to anyone who loves snow. It was wonderful!
— Review left February 4, 2024
Lisa – Class of 2016 | Newton, MA
This was a wonderful experience all-around, from the accommodations, to the food, to the cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, I couldn't have asked for a better winter getaway.
— Review left January 14, 2024
Cathleen – Class of 2023 | Chicago, IL
Great trip for all levels of cross country skiers! Those who want to snow shoe also have plenty of trails to explore.
— Review left March 13, 2023
Kim – Class of 2009 | Centerport, NY
The Road Scholar program at Garnet Hill Lodge was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend the trip. The program was well run, the location was beautiful, the skiing trails were well marked and nicely groomed and the accommodations and food were wonderful. The owner and staff could not have been nicer and the educational programs were very interesting.
— Review left March 13, 2023
Ella – Class of 2022 | Ottawa, Canada
The lodge is lovely. The staff are warm and welcoming. The accommodations are extremely clean. The guides are very good and accommodating to everyone (we had beginner and expert skiers). The network of trails is considerable and kept very well groomed. The experience was inclusive and friendly.
— Review left February 4, 2023
Doug – Class of 2023 | Ottawa, Canada
My wife and I had a wonderful ski week. I think that Jim and his team do a great job in having a very welcoming atmosphere, cozy rooms and common areas, wonderfully tasty food and flexible guiding plans. The ski trails are particularly scenic, are well signed, and cover a good range of challenges. Participants were split into many guided groups to cover ability levels, desire for instruction, and interests. The evening talks on skiing in the area and maple sugar production were certainly entertaining as well as informative and the musical talent was great fun on the last night. We can’t think of anything that you could have done to make the week any more special for us. It’s unfortunate about the weather but then we’re all dealing with the warmer spells and follow-on freezing surfaces across the north-east. I think Jim and the team made the most of it with cheery spirit. We enjoyed your top notch guides with lots to offer and supportive and fun demeanours. Everyone we encountered at the lodge was most pleasant and that speaks volumes for Jim's leadership and hiring choices. As a clearly busy owner it was a pleasant surprise that he was able to join us in all of our activities. Doug and Caroline Somers
— Review left February 4, 2023
Barbara – Class of 2019 | Wantagh, NY
Wonderful cross country skiing and snowshoe trails. Everyone involved with the program was so welcoming and knowledgeable. There was flexibility to accommodate different skill levels and plenty of instructors to make it happen with ease. The accommodations were nice and the food was delicious. Met a great group of people on this trip. Highly recommended!!
— Review left February 3, 2023
Nancy – Class of 2021 | Chadds Ford, PA
Jim and everyone on his team are welcoming and went out of their way to make sure all participants were able to do the activities they were most inntersted in. They were flexible and customer focused.
— Review left January 16, 2023
Gail – Class of 1996 | Short Hills, NJ
Wanna play in the snow? Sometime the amount of’white’is not the best, be we made the BEST of what was offered at this fine mountain lodge. New skills and old are presented every day with a wonderful host and experienced guides. Beautiful and superb accommodations. A grand time was had by ALL! We plan to return for a 4th visit next year!
— Review left January 14, 2023
Bryan – Class of 2008 | South Haven, MI
Program leader Jim Rucker and the many guides and speakers turned poor-snow skiing weather into a warm-hearted snowshoe experience in the amazingly beautiful Adirondacks.
— Review left January 14, 2023
Laurie – Class of 2015 | Okemos, MI
If your looking for an outdoor experience with snowshoe or cross country skiing in a beautiful area, with nice accommodations, good food, helpful instructors that work with all abilities, and a flexible accommodating staff, don't miss the Garnet Hill Lodge and Outdoor Center. I was there for skiing, but they have activities year round l. Highly recommended!
— Review left March 6, 2020
Howard – Class of 2020 | Cheshire, CT
The location was beautiful and the ski instruction was excellent. Although we came for the skiing, the other program activities were thoroughly enjoyable. Overall I had a great experience.
— Review left January 10, 2020
James – Class of 2019 | Ellicott City, MD
This program is about as perfect as it can get. The Garnet Hill Lodge is beautiful, the staff is welcoming, the instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and fun. The food is very good. The trails are breathtaking as is 13th Lake. I learned to do something I've always wanted to do - cross-country ski. I had never been on any type of snow ski prior to this program and finished being able to CC Ski without falling down. The program accommodates all skill levels and you and move among the different activity levels as you choose. All activities were well organized and well led. I never felt unsafe or doubtful of my instructor's competence. Do yourself a BIG favor and participate in this program.
— Review left March 24, 2019
Rona – Class of 2018 | Wilmington, DE
This was an excellent experience all around. The lodge, the food and the X country skiing and snow shoeing. All levels of ability were accommodated. Trails were well groomed and beautiful. Instructors were professional, encouraging, and FUN! Jim, the group leader couldn’t do enough for us and he showed flexibility when the daily schedule had to change due to cold weather. I can recommend this trip highly. I hope to go again next year.
— Review left March 11, 2019
Martin – Class of 2019 | Tinton Falls, NJ
I have strong downhill skiing experience but limited X-C experience. The instructors were excellent and within the few days I was able to quickly advance from the beginner trails to the challenging level. More than I expected.
— Review left March 10, 2019
Melissa – Class of 2019 | Severna Park, MD
This was my first Road Scholar program and it exceeded my expectations. I got to try something new and believe I am now a convert from downhill skiing to cross country skiing. The facility located in the Adirondack Mountains was comfortable and the views were spectacular. What a great time!
— Review left March 8, 2019
Richard – Class of 2000 | Auburn, CA
If you are a cross-country skier, in my estimation, you will enjoy this program:#23189, Choose your Pace... Skiing in the Adirondacks.
— Review left February 1, 2019
Victoria – Class of 2011 | Wilmington, DE
Our week at Garnet Hill Lodge was filled with enjoyable people, beautiful wooded trails and evenings around a roaring fire. The new owner, Jim Rucker, and his team made our week of snowshoeing a joy. We so loved the trails and the lake that we hope to return for some hiking and swimming in the summer. Highly recommended.
— Review left January 17, 2019
Barbara – Class of 2007 | Huntingdon, PA
This program is an excellent opportunity for people who want to enjoy winter sports of cross-country skiing and showshoeing. Instruction was available for both beginners and intermediates, and every day had options for multiple levels of experience in both sports. The Lodge is lovely, the food was very good, and the guides and hosts were talented and welcoming. Be aware that you will be in mountainous country, and even the beginning level trails are far from dead flat, although anyone who is game to try can have a lot of fun on them. This place has some of the top-level skiing in the East, and evening presentations added to my knowledge of the area and its history.
— Review left January 16, 2019
Eric – Class of 2017 | Springfield, IL
If you like to cross-country ski, I recommend this program. The staff is accommodating. The instruction is good. A great place to ski. Not the best place to go for those who have never cross-country skied before (that is not because of the staff, but because of the terrain).
— Review left January 14, 2019
Paula – Class of 2014 | Wyomissing, PA
We LOVED this trip - as beginners we received lots of individual instruction on cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. The program accommodated travelers from beginners to very advanced. The facility and location is beautiful and the food is plentiful and delicious.
— Review left January 11, 2019
Ann – Class of 2001 | Mitchellville, MD
A 'must' program for cross-country skiers! So glad Garnet Lodge is back with great accommodations, wonderful food, extensive skiing options and delightful staff. I intend to return next year. Ann R
— Review left January 11, 2019





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