November is here and our cottage is booking up for the holidays! November and December are a wonderful time to visit Lake Placid. Fewer crowds, easy to get a table at your favorite restaurant, holiday shopping deals and plenty of activities.

• Shoulder season hiking can be hit or miss. But when you hit a great day, take advantage. Even if there isn’t snow in town, pack your spikes and be prepared for mixed conditions at higher elevations. If you don’t own winter hiking gear, it’s easy to rent. And if you’re thinking about full-on winter hiking, check out the courses and online workshops offered by the ADK Mountain Club, like the Winter 46 High Peaks Workshop or Winter Survival 101.

• For the little ones, check out the after-school art classes offered at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. You can sign your kiddos up for an individual afternoon class throughout November and December. Similarly, the Lake Placid Library has story time for kids on Friday afternoons.

• And for the adults, consider a class at the Triple Green Jade Farm, about an hour drive to Willsboro. They’re offering cooking classes in November on everything from pie baking … to pizza pies! Plus a Holiday Cookie Class on Dec. 4.

• Speaking of farm fresh treats, if you’re missing the outdoor farmers’ markets from the summer, why not stop by the indoor winter farmers market in Saranac Lake. They run on Saturdays, 10 am - 1 pm, Oct. 16 - Dec. 18. Inside Hotel Saranac.

• Visit the Moody Tree Farm, also near Saranac Lake, to pick up baskets of fresh cut holiday wreaths, as well as many Balsam tree and handmade products.

• The ADK Mountain Club recently opened the Cascade Welcome Center, off Route 73, offering miles of trails for hiking, XC skiing and snowshoeing. Beginner - advanced. Starting Nov. 11 they’ll be open 7 days week. They rent gear too.

• If you’re ready to get active yourself, the Cliffside Coaster runs on weekends through Nov. 25. And the Skeleton Experience opens in November.

• Join the Adirondack Health Turkey Trot 5k on Nov. 24.

• Whiteface downhill skiing and Mt. Van Hoevenberg XC skiing and showshoeing plan to open Nov. 25.

• It’s always festive to see the Nutcracker Ballet, and you can see a live performance at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. The Nutcracker is in town this year Nov. 26-27 and Dec. 3-4.

• Watch world-class athletes compete in bobsled and skeleton competitions. The North America’s Cup is Nov. 27 - Dec. 4 at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. And the World Cup is Dec. 16 - 18. It’s amazing watching these athletes compete, and not something you can do anywhere. Check the website to purchase spectator tickets.

• Lake Placid hosts a Holiday Stroll on Main Street. This year it’s Dec. 9 - 11. There will be music, ice skating, wine tastings, a scavenger hunt, visits with Santa … something for everyone. And of course, the local shops will be in full swing. #shoplocal

• The High Falls Gorge opens for the winter season on Dec. 17. Talk about a winter wonderland!