Stick season has arrived in Lake Placid. It’s the time between fall and winter … after the leaves have dropped and before the snow consistently covers everything. Basically, the hardwood trees look like sticks. Not everyone’s favorite season, but it’s great timing if you want to avoid the crowds and extend your hiking season. For those visiting Lake Placid in October and November, here are some pre-holiday activities to consider.

We love watching winter sports in Lake Placid, but let’s be real … sometimes it’s freaking cold standing out in the snow as a spectator. Right? I’d argue that you can achieve the best of both worlds — comfort and the thrill of being there in person — when you watch winter sports in the summer or fall. There are plenty of opportunities. Everything from Hockey, Speed Skating and Figure Skating competitions to Nordic Combined, XC Skiing, Ski Jumping and Freestyle Jumping.

I love fall! It’s my favorite season with cool temperatures and gorgeous fall colors. My previous autumn post in early September got me excited about the season, but with the start of October this weekend, leaf peeping is approaching it’s peak! Here are my top tips and must-do activities for enjoying the autumn leaves.

Just like chicken noodle soup, a walk through the woods to a pond is good for the soul. It’s different from hiking to a mountain top. Not only are these hikes less strenuous, but having a lakeside destination is often much more serene and peaceful. Generally less human traffic. Low key. Usually forested walks. Great in summer if you’re looking to take a dip in the water. Good in the spring mud season when we need to avoid higher elevations — but be prepared with bug spray in black fly season. Ideally, try these trails in autumn to catch reflections of fall color in a crystal clear pond.

I post a lot about hiking and paddling, but recently I went biking for the first time in the Adirondacks. It was excellent! A new favorite activity for sure. While there’s a ton of downhill mountain biking trails in this area, I’m going to focus on road and gravel biking. I’m a newbie, so my experience and recommendations are geared toward entry-level cycling, and family-friendly.

Fall is right around the corner and it’s hands-down my absolute favorite time of year in the Adirondacks. The red and yellow leaves. The crisp temperatures. Apple picking season. Cider donuts. Corn mazes. Pumpkins. Love it all. Around Lake Placid, leaves usually begin turning by mid-September but won’t reach full-blown peak until late September or early October. Don’t worry so much about hitting the peak week, and just enjoy the foliage at whatever point you visit. Here’s a list of quintessential fall activities in the Adirondacks.

While farmers’ markets are fun, there’s nothing quite like picking up fresh products right on the farm. Going straight to the source. Here’s my favorite driving circuit for picking up delicious goodies in the Adirondacks.

We get plenty of Airbnb guests up for a long weekend in Lake Placid. Sometimes two nights and often three nights. So here’s a suggested itinerary designed for first time visitors with 72 hours in town. This is good for May through October.

Like many, when we first started paddling we rented tandem 2-person canoes. My husband now jokingly refers to them as “divorce boats” because different paddling styles and techniques can sometimes (ahem) result in disputes. Once we tried paddling solo canoes, we never looked back. Here’s why you should try it and what you need to know.

The Olympic Ski Jumps in Lake Placid are iconic. When we’re driving into town from the south, up 73, our first glimpse of the structures high above the trees is a favorite landmark. You can also enjoy a prime view of the jumps from the John Brown farm, and a distant view from the top of Cobble Hill. But the best is to get up close to really appreciate the size and pitch. In the summertime, the jumps come alive with athletes training.

This fall we’re excited to host two groups of friends coming to visit Lake Placid. One couple will be here for a week in early September and another couple comes in late September. None of them have ever been to upstate New York or the Adirondacks, so I’ve started a menu of activity options for visitors to consider.

When it comes to packing for your Lake Placid vacay, the biggest tip to remember is you’ll want to dress in layers. It can be warm in the sun, but cold at the top of the mountain, in the shade, and after dark. Avoid cotton clothes (more on that below). And be prepared for afternoon showers. Obviously, packing lists will vary depending on what activities you prefer and how long you plan to stay. Here are a few guidelines based on what we pack.