This Cozy Winter Escape Is a Train Ride Away From NYC

Schroon Lake is a hamlet in New York’s Adirondack Park that’s less name-recognizable than neighbors like Lake Placid and Lake George but has nonetheless garnered a reputation for all-season recreation and all-around pleasantness. It’s long been a popular summer destination for New York City residents (and some East Coast Canadians) who head north (or south) to lounge lakeside, hike the nearby trails, and generally enjoy the warm weather.

I visited Schroon Lake just ahead of the winter holidays. Turns out, the popular summer resort has just as many opportunities for cold-weather recreation, and The Lodge at Schroon Lake makes for the perfect base camp during the frosty season.

A lakeside lodge that’s magical in the winter

The stumps of the snow-capped mountains surrounding Schroon Lake were dotted with the warm yellow glow of homes and cabins when I got to The Lodge at Schroon Lake. It was growing darker by the minute as dusk turned to night, but the lights from Christmas decorations lit my path as I slowed down to enjoy a snowy walk over to the lodge’s tavern, The Brown Swan, for a welcome meal. In an instant, Schroon Lake made me fall in love with winter.

The property’s two-bedroom chalets have some of the best views of the lodge’s namesake lake. From the first of two balconies in my spacious cabin-style lodging, I peered beyond the Christmas tree on my porch at the water body below. Adventure-themed accents, like a map of the Adirondacks with miniature metal mountaineers climbing the face of the mountains, helped to set the outdoorsy scene in my room. But the chalets are also outfitted with all of the amenities you need to enjoy a restful stay, including a kitchenette (with a Keurig machine).

Other accommodation options at the Lodge at Schroon Lake include the two-bedroom Owl’s Nest House, rooms and suites in the main lodge, and suites in the separate Longhouse. In the summer, the property also has glamping tents.

Amenities outside of the rooms are largely centered on recreation. There’s a marina that’s open seasonally with kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoon boats for rentals or tours. But even if you’re visiting in winter when the marina is closed, you’ll want to know where it is as a reference point for strolls to the lake. From the top of the marina, just downhill from the lodge, you’ll find one of the best spots on the property to take in a quiet sunrise over the lake. From there, it’s a short walk to the town dock, and you can walk along the ice taking in the scenery.

For a year-round water activity, head to the lodge’s pool. Swimming through warm water in the dead of winter has an irresistible luxury to it. Looking out onto pines and chalets framed by icicles and snow, I floated around the heated pool before hopping into the hot tub for good measure. For an extra dose of grandeur, I took a few minutes to sit in the sauna. There, in a little wood-paneled room with the heat set to 200ºF, I felt every possible worry steam away.

Beforehand, I stopped by the game room next door and was soon greeted by a friendly pair of brothers looking to play a game of billiards. We had our pick of foosball, air hockey, and tick tac toe for round two, but I wasn’t looking for a rematch — after all, the pool was calling.

A slew of holiday-themed activities

At The Lodge at Schroon Lake, chilly winter nights are an invitation to step outside and immerse yourself in a snowy wonderland with the Sugar Plum Express Wagon. When I visited, the big red Christmas-light-adorned wagon picked me and some others up outside of The Brown Swan and whisked us away on a short ride through the lodge’s holiday light display. But that’s just the beginning of the winter offerings.

Winter Friday nights see the lodge’s ballroom transformed into a theater where guests can watch holiday classics on the big screen. I stopped in for a few minutes of Will Ferrell’s familiar antics in Elf, appreciating both the warm laughter that filled the room and the beautiful white lights that were wrapped around the wooden banister.

At The Bevy, the outdoors-themed lounge in the main lobby, there are themed social events. When I was there, the space was transformed into a flannel-lined dance floor during an ugly sweater party. Both guests and locals made merry as bejeweled cowboys and bartenders dressed as elves grooved to covers of Americana classics while sipping on sugar-cookie cocktails and voting on the ugliest sweater of them all.

The Bevy was also where I got to update my wish list over pancakes and parfait with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Jolly as ever, the pair posed for photos with lodge visitors as they stopped in for the buffet breakfast and pancake station.

A final activity that added a pleasant, holiday-themed flair to my stay was a crafting exercise. Before checking out, I sat down to make a Christmas ornament at the arts and crafts table in The Bevy — 20 minutes later, I walked out with a handsome pair of wooden art pieces to remember my trip by and adorn next year’s Christmas tree.

Where to eat and drink in Schroon Lake

The Brown Swan and The Tavern

Open to both guests and the public, The Brown Swan is the go-to lunch and dinner restaurant at The Lodge at Schroon Lake. The menu features a wide variety classic orders (think filet mignon, French onion soup, fish and chips, and wedge salad) alongside some more creative plates like the “fuhgeddaboudit” flat bread with Italian sausage, peppers, onions, mozzarella, and red sauce. The extensive cocktail menu meant there was always a drink to pair with my meal, too.

Just on the other side of The Brown Swan there’s another drinking and snacking spot called The Tavern. It serves bar-style eats like mozzarella sticks and Bavarian pretzels in an old-fashioned wooden tavern that was tastefully lined with tinsel during holiday season. I had the short rib poutine and would recommend the traditional Canadian dish to anyone looking for comfort food.

The Brown Swan and The Tavern: 210 Registration Way, Schroon Lake, NY 12870

The Bevy

Winter breakfasts at The Bevy, which are included with your stay at The Lodge at Schroon Lake, include made-to-order pancakes and a traditional buffet with all of the usual American fixing. Breakfast is served from 7 AM to 10:00 AM and is the perfect start to a day exploring Schroon Lake.

The Bevy: 210 Registration Way, Schroon Lake, NY 12870

9 Mile Coffee

Every town has its go-to coffee spot. For Schroon Lake, that spot is 9 Mile Coffee. Just a short walk from the lodge, 9 Mile Coffee serves quick eats like bacon, egg, and cheese croissant sandwiches along with hot coffees and chai. Make sure to grab a cozy cup of joe at 9 Mile Coffee to warm you up after your morning walk around the lake from the lodge.

9 Mile Coffee: 1077 US-9, Schroon Lake, NY 12870

Paradox Brewery

Paradox Brewery in North Hudson (about 15 minutes from the lodge by car) has all manner of local beer and classic pub grub. Pizza is a popular order there, but it was the stromboli that came highly recommended by a local seated at the table behind me — generously stuffed with meat, cheese, and veggies, it paired perfect with the Paradox German Helles ale I ordered.

In winter, Paradox Brewery also hosts a holiday market. When I visited, I wandered around and perused jewerly made from local Adirondacks rocks and stones while passionate artisans shared their longstanding family connections to the region. After souvenir shopping, take your treasures next door to the main brewery for live music and a bite to eat. On the way over, stop to take in the view of the nearby mountains — a perfect backdrop to this Hudson Valley staple.

Paradox Brewery: 2781 US-9, North Hudson, NY 12855

How to get to and around Schroon Lake

There are many ways to get to Schroon Lake. One of the most scenic options is to go by train. The nearest train station is 45 minutes from the lodge at Fort Ticonderoga. From New York City, the ride is just under six hours along the Hudson River, and you can arrange for the lodge to pick you up in a shuttle at the train station.

Once at the lodge, on-property activities are all a walk away. Downtown Schroon Lake is easy to access from the lodge (just a 10-minute walk from the lobby) and explore on foot, as well. Schroon Lake is also within driving distance of skiing and snowboarding areas like White Face and Gore Mountain. Since rideshares are a rare find in this part of the Hudson Valley, I’d recommend checking with the lodge about its shuttle service if you’re interested in those drives.

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