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Fulton and Montgomery Counties Snowmobile Trails Map Now Available
The Tourism Department of the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce announces the availability of the updated edition of the Fulton and Montgomery Counties Snowmobile Trails map.
“There are approximately 400 miles of snowmobile trails to enjoy between the two counties. The pocket-sized snowmobile map has a new look compared to the previous map,” states Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Director of Tourism for Fulton and Montgomery Counties. “Updates to the trails have been made utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and local club input making it the most recent trail map available for the two-county region. Snowmobile safety guidelines, snowmobile club information, snowmobile sales and repairs, and other supporting area businesses have been highlighted on the map as well.”
For a free copy of the snowmobile map stop in to the Fulton Montgomery Chamber offices at 2 North Main Street, Gloversville, 1166 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam or the Fulton County Visitor Center at the corner of Routes 29 and 30 in Vail Mills. For more winter activity information call the tourism department at (518)725-0641 or logon to Fulton County’s tourism website www.44lakes.com and Montgomery County’s tourism website www.visitmontgomerycountyny.com.
Job Posting: Tourism Assistant
The Fulton County Tourism Department is seeking applicants for a part-time Tourism Assistant for the Gloversville Office.
Applicants should be enthusiastic, self-motivated, organized, customer service-oriented with excellent oral and written communication skills needed to provide administrative duties necessary to support department programs and services.
Proficient in Microsoft Office. Experience with business social media sites and website navigation competency.
Please send cover letter and resume to: tourism@fultonmontgomeryny.org.
Please no phone calls.
Upcoming Events at Lapland Lake
Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center will host Winter Trails Day on Saturday, January 10 from 1:00pm – 4:30pm. Winter Trails Day is a national event offering those new to snow sports an opportunity to try cross country skiing and/or snowshoeing.
Facility use passes, cross country ski or snowshoe rentals and hour-long cross country ski lessons for adults and children from age 5 will be offered free of charge to first-time participants who register in advance. Pre-registration is required.
A new program designed to introduce members of the public to snowshoeing is scheduled Sunday, January 11 from 10-11am at Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center.
The resort’s fun and educational “Introduction to Snowshoeing and Animal Tracking Tour” is intended for novice snowshoers. Participants will be fitted with snowshoes and poles, and a staff member will lead members of the group along the resort’s picturesque, easier marked and mapped snowshoe trails allowing participants to become comfortable with equipment and technique.
The tour will wend alongside brooks, streams and near scenic Woods Lake. A brief stop along the way will give guests an opportunity to meet and greet Viima, the resort’s resident reindeer. Each participant will receive an animal tracking guide to assist in identifying the many animal tracks that may be seen along the way.
Cost for the program is $23 and includes rental snowshoes and poles, guided tour, animal tracking guide and hot beverage. Facility use pass is additional. Participants are welcome to retain their snowshoes for the balance of the day or to exchange them for another set of rental gear to enjoy another activity (rental surcharge may apply). It is recommended that participants bring along water and an energy snack.
The tour is prepaid and is 100% refundable if the program is cancelled for any reason. Minimum age to participate is 12. Preregistration is required; space is limited.
Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center will host a women’s-only ski program Saturday, January 24 from 9:30am – 2:30pm. Pre-registration is required.
The popular five-hour ski program, “Lapland Ladies Love to Ski”, is geared to beginner and intermediate skiers. Focus is on classic ski technique.
Cost for the program is $50 or $73 if participants need rental equipment. Included is a day-long facility use pass, instruction, lunch with equipment & clothing discussion, social group ski with instructors, group wrap-up, hot beverage and equipment discount coupon. The program is led by Lapland Lake’s PSIA-certified instructors Sherry Dixon, Susan Henriksson and Jan Mares.
Future programs are scheduled for February 21 (classic ski technique) and March 14 (skate ski technique). Women are encouraged to participate in one, two or all three programs!
A complete cross country ski and snowshoe facility celebrating its 37th winter season, Lapland Lake offers fully equipped rental and retail shops, a comfortable two-story warming lodge with snack bar and the trailside Tuulen Tupa Grill. The trail system has 50km of trails for all ability levels. 38km are marked, mapped and snowcat groomed with trackset and skating lanes; 12km are ungroomed, marked, mapped snowshoe trails.
In addition to cross country skiing and snowshoeing, other resort activities include ice-skating, tubing on two junior hills, wilderness ski touring and visiting with the resort’s domesticated reindeer!
Lodging is available in private rooms and 10 private housekeeping cottages. Lodging packages include use of trails each day and evening including days of arrival and departure, use of the Finnish wood burning sauna and 50% off one regularly scheduled group ski lesson per person. Attractive lodging discounts are offered non-holiday Sunday through Thursday nights.
Lapland Lake has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors through the years including Top Ten Snowshoe-friendly Nordic Center by Snowshoe Magazine, the Tourism Partner Award by the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council’s Private Sector Tourism Partnership Award; Best XC Ski Resort in the Mid-Atlantic Region and Best XC Ski Resort for Families, Best XC Ski Resort Poll; and Top Ten XC Ski Resort Catering to Families, xc ski resorts.com.
Located in the south-central portion of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, Lapland Lake is just over an hour’s drive from Schenectady; only 60 miles from Albany and Utica; four hours from New York City and Boston.
To make reservations or for additional information, please call Lapland Lake at 518-863-4974, email: vacation@laplandlake.com or visit online: www.laplandlake.com.
Fishing University Episodes Filmed in Fulton County to Air
The Fulton County Tourism Department announces the Fishing University schedule for the episodes filmed on the Great Sacandaga Lake and Canada Lake. The Outdoor Channel show, hosted by fishing legends Charlie Ingram and Ray Brazier, is in its 28th year making it the second longest running outdoor show of any type anywhere. The Fishing University crew was in Fulton County to film during September 2014.
While in Fulton County, Ingram and Brazier toured Taylor Made’s factory on Harrison Street, Gloversville and attended a “Meet & Greet” that was held at Lanzi’s on the Lake, Mayfield. Filming included two high school segments at Mayfield High School and Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery Board of Cooperative Educational Services (HFM BOCES) which will be featured in each episode.
Each episode will air six times throughout the 2015 season. The first quarter airings are as follows. Please check local providers for the Outdoor Channel listings:
| Date | Day | Eastern Time | Show Title |
| 12/30/2014 | Tuesday | 12:30pm | Great Sacandaga Lake, NY – Strike King |
| 1/3/2015 | Saturday | 4:00pm | Great Sacandaga Lake, NY – Strike King |
| 1/4/2015 | Sunday | 8:00am | Great Sacandaga Lake, NY – Strike King |
| 1/6/2015 | Tuesday | 12:30pm | Canada Lake, NY – TufLIne |
| 1/10/2015 | Saturday | 4:00pm | Canada Lake, NY – TufLIne |
| 1/11/2015 | Sunday | 8:00am | Canada Lake, NY – TufLIne |
Filming was made possible by the continued support of the Fulton County Board of Supervisors, Frank’s Gun and Tackle Shop, Taylor Made Products, Allwater Guide Service, Rob Javarone, and many others. For more information, please contact Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Director of Tourism, at (518)725-0641. Photos from the filming can be found on the Visit Fulton County, NY Facebook page.
A Cross Country Ski Program Designed For Women, Taught by Women
Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center will host a women’s-only ski program Saturday, December 20 from 9:30am – 2:30pm.
This new addition to the program line-up, “Introduction to Lapland Ladies Love to Ski”, is geared to first-time and novice skiers only. Focus is on classic or traditional cross country ski technique.
Cost for the five-hour program is $50 or $78 if participants need rental equipment. Included is a day-long facility use pass, instruction, lunch with equipment & clothing discussion, social group ski with instructors, group wrap-up, hot beverage and equipment discount coupon. The program is led by Lapland Lake’s PSIA-certified instructors Sherry Dixon and Susan Henriksson. Pre-registration is required.
“Come learn to classic ski in our supportive, non-competitive environment. This program is taught by women and designed for women,” according to Susan Henriksson. Future programs for novice and intermediate level skiers, who will be grouped by ability, include January 24 and February 21 with focus on classic technique and March 14 with focus on skate ski technique.
A complete cross country ski and snowshoe facility in its 37th winter season, Lapland Lake offers fully equipped rental and retail shops, a comfortable two-story warming lodge with snack bar and trailside Tuulen Tupa Grill. The trail system has 50km of trails for all ability levels. 38km are marked, mapped and snowcat groomed with trackset and skating lanes; 12km are ungroomed, marked, mapped snowshoe trails.
In addition to cross country skiing and snowshoeing, other resort activities include ice-skating, tubing on two junior hills, wilderness ski touring and visiting with the resort’s resident reindeer!
Lodging is available in private rooms and 10 private housekeeping cottages. Lodging packages include use of trails each day and evening including days of arrival and departure, use of the Finnish wood burning sauna and 50% off one regularly scheduled group ski lesson per person. Attractive lodging discounts are offered non-holiday Sunday through Thursday nights.
Lapland Lake has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors through the years including this season’s fourth place ranking in North America’s Top 10 Snowshoe Friendly Nordic Centers Snowshoemag.com, Tourism Partner Award by the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council’s Private Sector Tourism Partnership Award; Best XC Ski Resort in the Mid Atlantic Region and Best XC Ski Resort for Families, Best XC Ski Resort Poll; and Top Ten XC Ski Resort Catering to Families, xc ski resorts.com.
Located in the south-central portion of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, Lapland Lake is just over an hour’s drive from Schenectady; only 60 miles from Albany and Utica; four hours from New York City and Boston.
Lapland Lake may be contacted at 518-863-4974, vacation@laplandlake.com and online at www.laplandlake.com.
Holiday Open House at Johnson Hall
In conjunction with the City of Johnstown’s Colonial Stroll holiday activities, Johnson Hall State Historic Site will hold an Open House on Friday, December 5 from 5pm to 8:30pm.
Johnson Hall’s first floor will be decorated for the holiday season, where music of the 18th century will be performed by Liaison Plaisantes. Refreshments will be offered in the historic butler’s pantry. The museum shop will offer 20% off for holiday shopping that evening. Horse-drawn wagon rides of the mansion’s south lawn will be available to visitors between 6pm and 8pm.
In addition, between 6pm and 8:30pm, a shuttle van will loop between Johnson Hall and a shuttle stop on Main Street in front of the park.
The evening’s event is free and open to the public. Donations will be gratefully accepted and will be earmarked for the continued restoration efforts of Sir William and Molly Brant’s historic home.
Along with Johnstown Historical Society, this year’s event is co-sponsored by Johnson Hall, the Friends of Johnson Hall, Goderie’s Tree Farm and Hewitt’s Garden Center.
Johnson Hall’s Open House is the first event of this year’s “Heritage Holidays in the Mohawk Valley”, a collaboration of Mohawk Valley Museum Consortium member sites to promote holiday celebrations over two weekends. All events are free, with donations gratefully accepted. Visitors should pick up a passport and have it stamped at three of the sites to be entered into a Heritage Holiday gift basket drawing. Joining Johnson Hall are:
December 6 – the Fort Plain Museum will feature ”Christmas at the Fort” from 10am to 6pm, with a book signing, crafters and holiday fun – for more information call 993-2527.
December 6 and 7 – the Mayfield Historical Society’s Rice Homestead will hold their “Holiday Open House” from 11am to 4pm each day, featuring mulled cider and homemade cookies, with homemade pies for sale also – for more information call 661-5576.
December 13 – the Walter Elwood Museum’s “Holiday Open House” from 1pm to 5pm will feature live music, light refreshments and holiday shopping, and a special quilt exhibit and 3pm lecture by Hallie Bond on “Common Threads: Adirondack Quilts” – for more information call 843-5151.
Johnson Hall State Historic Site is located at 139 Hall Avenue in historic Johnstown, just off West State Street (State Highway 29 West). For more information, visit www.nysparks.com, or email darlene.rogers@parks.ny.gov to be placed on the Site’s emailing list.
Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center’s Annual Open House
Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center will host its two-day annual Open House Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23 from 9:00am – 4:30pm each day.
Visitors may enter a Grand Prize Drawing for a choice of any new pair of skis in stock OR a 2014-15 Season Pass Membership. If the individual whose name is drawn has already purchased their 2014-15 Membership, his or her purchase price will be refunded.
During the two-day Open House all new in-stock cross country skis and ski packages will be discounted 30%. All other retail merchandise will be discounted 10% (sale items excluded). Season-long ski equipment rentals ($75 – $180 plus deposit) will be available. Lapland Lake’s operator, former US Olympian Olavi Hirvonen, and his carefully trained staff will assist with proper equipment selection and sizing.
A free children’s Reindeer Rally will take place at 10am each day. Pat Ferri, PSIA-certified instructor and Assistant Nordic Director, will lead fun and crazy games for children ages 5 – 12 on grass or on skis/snow!
At 3:30pm each day Pat will offer free hour-long wax clinic and ski care tips sessions. All are invited!
Spencer Morrissey, author of Adirondack Skier, a guide to some of the best trails in the Adirondack Park for cross country skiing, will be at the resort’s Finnish Line Lodge Saturday from 12:30 – 4pm both days to meet with customers and to autograph copies of his book.
Lapland Lake Season Pass Memberships will be available at normally reduced early-season rates; regular Membership rates will go into effect Monday, December 1st. For the seventh consecutive year all children ages 17 and under will receive free Memberships when at least one parent or legal guardian purchases a 2014-15 Lapland Lake Season Pass Membership!
Open House is free of charge. Facility use fees will be half-price both days for those wishing to ski, snowshoe and tube (conditions permitting). If there is no snow, visitors are welcome to enjoy complimentary hiking on the resort’s 50km trail system.
Attendees may visit with Lapland Lake’s reindeer at his lakeside home and enjoy complimentary cookies, hot chocolate, coffee and tea at the resort’s Tuulen Tupa Grill from noon-4pm both days.
Lapland Lake has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council’s Private Sector Tourism Partnership Award; Best XC Ski Resort in the Mid Atlantic Region and Best XC Ski Resort for Families, Best XC Ski Resort Poll; Top Ten XC Ski Resort Catering to Families, xc ski resorts.com and Fulton County’s Tourism Partner Award.
A complete cross country ski and snowshoe facility, Lapland Lake offers fully equipped rental and retail shops, a comfortable warming lodge with snack bar, a trailside restaurant and overnight accommodations in private housekeeping cottages. The trail system has 50km of trails for all ability levels. 38km are marked, mapped and snowcat groomed with trackset and skating lanes; 12km are ungroomed, marked, mapped snowshoe trails. Cross country ski lessons are offered daily by the resort’s staff of PSIA-certified instructors. Other activities include ice-skating, tubing, sledding, kicksledding and wilderness ski touring. A full winter Calendar of Special Events is also offered.
Located in the south-central Adirondacks, Lapland Lake is conveniently located just over an hour’s drive from Schenectady; 60 miles from Albany and Utica; four hours from New York City and Boston. Interested individuals may visit online at www.laplandlake.com or contact Lapland Lake for information at 518.863.4974 or vacation@laplandlake.com.
Fulton County Foliage Report: Week of October 15-21
I LOVE NY started the “New York Fall Foliage Report” on September 10 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Fulton County has its own “foliage spotters” to participate in this annual report.
Typical color remaining in downtown Gloversville the week of October 15.
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend 100%
Brilliance Dull to Average
Predominating colors Some yellow and orange remain
Rating Past Peak
Some color remains, but many leaves have fallen. Rain is in the forecast for the week and it is likely many more leaves will drop. The predominating colors at this point in the season are yellow and orange with a few hints of red.
There are still many fall events happening and plenty of apples and pumpkins to be picked!
FREE Harvest Tour, Route 29A Chain of Lakes, and Great Sacandaga Lake informational maps are available.
1.800.676.3858
Fulton County Foliage Report: Week of October 8-14
I LOVE NY started the “New York Fall Foliage Report” on September 10 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Fulton County has its own “foliage spotters” to participate in this annual report.
Reporting station Southern Adirondack Pines Campground & Cabins, Pine Lake (Adirondack Park) and Gloversville
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend 100% higher elevations and 50-75% lower elevation (another week for peak)
Brilliance Average
Predominating colors Some reds, yellows, and browns with green still visible in lower elevations
Rating Near Peak to Peak
This is probably the last weekend to see any color in the higher elevations. The Town of Caroga has reached peak and the leaves are starting to fall. There most likely won’t be many leaves remaining the following week.
Lower elevations have slowed in the color changing process. They may reach peak this weekend but are starting to fall and the color is not as vibrant as in past years. Let’s hope for sun and not too much rain and wind to keep the leaves on the trees a little longer.
There are still many fall events happening and plenty of apples and pumpkins to be picked!
FREE Harvest Tour, Route 29A Chain of Lakes, and Great Sacandaga Lake informational maps are available.
1.800.676.3858
Triathlon seeks Charitable Organization
The Peck’s Lake Protective Association (PLPA) Board of Directors is seeking applications from not-for-profit organizations to be awarded as the designated charity to receive a portion of the proceeds raised by the 2015 triathlon. The applicant organization must be a 501(c)(3) corporation (or be able to demonstrate to the PLPA Board’s satisfaction appropriate financial safeguards for the distribution of funds); must serve Fulton County residents with 100% of the funds used for direct client benefit/services. The application and complete criteria are available at: http://www.fultonmontgomeryny.org/pages/PecksLakeSprintTriathlon/. The application deadline is December 15, 2014.
The Peck’s Lake Sprint Triathlon is scheduled for August 1, 2015. Photos from the 2014 event can be found on the Visit Fulton County, NY Facebook page.