The second annual Adirondack Winter Pride will take place February 27–March 1, 2026 in Lake Placid and surrounding communities. This three-day event will feature winter activities, celebrations, and community gatherings at iconic Olympic venues across the region. Participants can look forward to: A welcome celebration in downtown Lake Placid Downhill skiing at Whiteface Mountain Cross-country skiing on Olympic trails Ice skating at the Olympic Oval Local shopping and dining on Main Street Music and dancing at Saturday’s après-ski party Two registration tiers are available. The full registration option will include a special Lake Placid Legacy Sites winter passport that will grant participants access to Olympic venues and activities, and make participants eligible for various deals and discounts available at businesses throughout the community. A special lift ticket rate for Whiteface Mountain will be available for all registrants. Sign up for updates and registration information at LakePlacid.com/adkwinterpride.

The community of Saranac Lake will be hosting its North Country New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31 beginning at 5:00 p.m. Residents and visitors from across the North Country and the Adirondacks are encouraged to take part in the festivities. The event offers a family-oriented celebration focused on arts, culture, and community. Local, regional, and guest artists will provide various entertainment and music across multiple downtown locations, showcasing a blend of talent and creativity to celebrate the new year in style. North Country New Year admission is $20 per person, $15 for seniors, and free for children under 18. Access to venues during North Country New Year is available by purchasing a specially designed sticker which serves as the event pass. The stickers can be purchased in person at Sparkle Village on December 6 and 7; or purchased from December 8-30 at NorthCountryNewYear.com and picked up at the Harrietstown Town Hall with proof of purchase. Admission stickers can also be purchased in-person throughout the day at the Harrietstown Town Hall on December 31; admission is also available for purchase at the Saranac Lake Civic Center and Petrova Elementary School on December 31, beginning at 5:00 p.m. (cash only). Throughout the evening, venues throughout downtown Saranac Lake will feature live entertainment, family-friendly activities, music, dance lessons, local food, comedy shows, and rides on the Adirondack Carousel. Grammy-nominated band Professor Louie and the Crowmatix, from Woodstock, NY will be headlining North Country New Year at the Harrietstown Town Hall auditorium beginning at 8:00 p.m. with their mix of rock, Americana, and blues. At Petrova Elementary School, families can enjoy kids’ activities including balloon animals, Circus with Sammy, caricatures by Joe Ferris, face painting, live performances by Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza, and a special visit from the Adirondack Sky Center planetarium. Historic Saranac Lake will host a vintage game night at the Saranac Lake Laboratory Museum. Participants are also invited to lace up for ice skating at the Saranac Lake Civic Center. According to Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism Saranac Lake Marketing Manager Ashley Garwood, organizers are excited about this year’s activities and entertainment lineup. “Our event committee has been working all year to plan and secure entertainment, plan activities and encourage local businesses and organizations to take part in North Country New Year,” she said. “New Year’s Eve is always a magical time, especially with our beautiful, snowy village and its warm, welcoming venues. We’re thrilled to be able to create another memorable experience for residents, families, and visitors to welcome the New Year.” The evening features a number of other activities taking place throughout downtown including: Caricatures and face painting Comedy by longtime favorites Moody McCarthy and Completely Stranded Magician Alakazam performs at 6:00 p.m. Local music from The Allens ‘50s/’60s revivalists Frankie & the Moonlighters Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir Fire dancing by Smoke Show Fire Co. At 10:00 p.m. attendees will be treated to a fireworks display, welcoming 2026. The mission of North Country New Year (NCNY) is to create a family-friendly New Year's Eve experience for the communities of Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, and Tupper Lake, as well as the surrounding region. Organizers are always looking for volunteers. Those interested should contact Volunteer Coordinator Christine Farah at director@slareachamber.org or 518-891-1990. Visit NorthCountryNewYear.com for additional information.

Study quantifies housing demand and preferences to guide future developmentA comprehensive research study and analysis commissioned by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has identified substantial market potential for both primary and secondary housing units to be constructed in Essex County over the next five years. The study, "An Analysis of Residential Market Potential," conducted by Zimmerman/Volk Associates, Inc., estimates that between 158 and 207 newly constructed affordable and market-rate primary homes could be leased or sold annually; with a five-year projected total of 790 to 1,035 units. The research study provides the most comprehensive picture to date of countywide housing demand. It focuses on identifying gaps in local housing supply and determining which types of development projects, both rental and ownership, should be considered to fill demand based on potential buyer preferences and financial capacity. The report also outlines recommended unit sizes and price points, aligned with different income levels to offer the greatest impact. It analyzed current demand for those homes, local demographic and behavioral data, historic and projected population changes, various types of housing existing within the region (e.g.: single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments), along with median salaries and financial capabilities of local residents and others hoping to purchase a home in the area. According to the study, demand for single-family detached homes and apartment-style units appears across all of the study’s defined subregions of Essex County. These include Lake Placid and the High Peaks region, which encompasses North Elba and Keene; the Adirondack Hub region, comprising Minerva, Newcomb, North Hudson, and Schroon Lake; and the Lake Champlain region, which the study divides into northern and southern areas for analytical purposes. Lake Champlain north includes Chesterfield, Elizabethtown, Essex, Lewis, Westport, and Willsboro, while Lake Champlain south includes Crown Point, Moriah, and Ticonderoga. Demand is also present in the Whiteface region, which includes Jay and Wilmington, and in the Saranac Lake region, represented by the Town of St. Armand. The analysis determined that a substantial portion of unmet demand comes from two demographic segments. The first segment includes households earning between 60 and 80% of area median income (AMI). These are often younger workers, those just entering the workforce, or seasonal employees seeking attainable rental housing. The second segment includes households at or above 120 percent of AMI; the area’s professional workers, including teachers, nurses, law enforcement professionals, business owners, and other mid-career workers. This group is in a position to purchase a larger home or higher-quality home, but there is nothing currently available at an appropriate price point. According to Adam DeSantis, ROOST director of economic development and destination management, the information presented within this report is incredibly valuable for planning purposes throughout Essex County. “This study gives us a clear picture of the types of homes people both want and can afford in our region,” he said. “ With better data, our communities can develop accurate plans, support local workers, and make informed decisions about future development. Proposed, newly built units would not only attract new households to Essex County, but would also provide options for residents who might otherwise leave the county because they cannot find suitable housing.” DeSantis explained that demand for apartment-style residences and detached single family homes is greater than local officials and community development professionals originally imagined. “The data shows that the depth of demand for housing in Essex County is significant - much greater than was expected,” he said. “We learned that the area’s professionals are both able and willing to invest in a larger residence; they are being held back simply because the supply of available homes doesn't currently exist for them to make that move.” The study also evaluated second-home demand as a separate component of the market. Report analysis indicates that the region has capacity for approximately 40 newly constructed homes each year; a total of approximately 200 over a five-year period. Detached, single-family homes remain the preferred type for second-home buyers, followed by condominiums and townhomes. These findings are presented independently, recognizing that primary and second-home markets serve different household groups and require different planning considerations. DeSantis explained that the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism supports initiatives, such as housing, that impact the lives of residents and visitors - initiatives that are far beyond tourism promotion. Undertaking research comprises a significant part of ROOST’s work within, and for, the region. “Housing is central to the health and sustainability of our communities,” DeSantis added. “ROOST’s mission is to support a sustainable economy, economically, socially, and environmentally. Understanding our housing needs helps us support workforce stability, reduce outward migration, and attract new residents. It also reinforces the importance of investing in infrastructure so that we can create housing in a way that protects the natural resources that define our region. The study was funded, in part, through a generous grant from Adirondack Community Fund and was sponsored by Community Bank. The study’s findings will help inform local governments, builders, community organizations, and funders as they plan and implement housing strategies. The study will serve as a shared, region-wide dataset that relieves builders and developers from undertaking their own market study, while ensuring that all communities within Essex County are working from the same dataset. The findings also highlight where infrastructure limitations may constrain new development and how aging systems impact housing quality, economic stability, and environmental health in Adirondack communities. According to Community Bank Vice President/Senior Retail Banking Manager Kent Backus, the housing market research study and its associated report will be incredibly helpful when lenders are assessing prospective development projects and their funding requirements. “When builders and developers are planning projects they partner with a local lender to help determine a project's viability and underwriting requirements,” he said. “This study provides a great deal of information that lenders require including local demand and community growth potential. Lending applications require a large amount of information about the project itself, its market potential, the developer’s credit worthiness and project timeframes. This report provides a great deal of the required information, saving time and supporting many aspects of the developers’ overall plans.” Cali Brooks, president and CEO of Adirondack Community Foundation, shared the importance of this research for its work to support community development and activity. "Adirondack Community Foundation monitors the region's most pressing issues, and housing is always near the top of the list,” she said. “We collaborate with donors and other funders on projects that create tangible community benefits. Research is essential to our work, so we are pleased to be part of this ROOST initiative to better understand local housing needs and help shape future development.” The full study can be found at: roostadk.com/research.

Adirondack Winter Pride weekend is taking place February 27–March 1, 2026, with activities planned throughout Lake Placid and Wilmington for LGBTQ+ residents, visitors, and their allies. Organizers are encouraging businesses, restaurants, hotels, civic groups, individuals, and others throughout the Tri-Lakes region and beyond, to consider participation through sponsorships, events, and special promotions. Adirondack Winter Pride celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with a weekend that features a range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages throughout Lake Placid and at the region’s historic Olympic venues. Activities include a welcome reception, skiing at Whiteface Mountain along with an après-ski party, access to Olympic venues, cross-country skiing, and more. According to Eileen Mowrey, Lake Placid and Whiteface Region manager for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, the event is expected to draw new and returning visitors to the area. “We’re excited to welcome attendees back to the Lake Placid region and hope visitors will take time to explore our local businesses and attractions before and after programmed events,” said Mowrey. “We encourage business owners and managers to think creatively about ways to get involved—whether that’s hosting an evening event or welcome party, offering a special package, or adding a signature cocktail or appetizer to the menu. There are so many great ways to make visitors feel at home.” Businesses interested in taking part should contact info@adkwinterpride.com with their proposals, plans, and ideas. Packages and promotions may also be submitted directly to LakePlacid.com using the public-facing forms, see forms.roostadk.com/lakeplacid/package.

The second annual Adirondack Winter Pride weekend will be held February 27–March 1 in Lake Placid and surrounding communities. The weekend serves as an opportunity for the LGBTQI+ community and their allies to celebrate and connect. Planning is still underway; a full schedule is coming soon. Event updates and registration information are available at LakePlacid.com/adkwinterpride. The 2026 event offers two registration tiers: standard and limited-access. Each includes access to the welcome reception, ice skating party, special Whiteface Mountain adult lift ticket pricing ($82 per day), free admission to Saturday’s drag show at the Twisted Raven, branded swag, and access to local deals, discounts, and events. Adirondack Winter Pride will feature a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages and abilities across the Village of Lake Placid, the Whiteface Region, and across the region’s historic Olympic venues. Standard registration is $75 and also includes a Lake Placid Legacy Sites Winter Passport, granting access to Olympic venues and activities, as well as tickets to the first-ever International Biathlon Union (IBU) Cup event at Mt Van Hoevenberg. Limited-access registration is available for $40, without access to the Legacy Sites Passport, making it a good option for local residents who are familiar with the Olympic venues. ROOST COO Mary Jane Lawrence says the region is proud to once again host Adirondack Winter Pride Weekend. “We’re always excited to welcome the LGBTQI+ community to our incredible Adirondack communities,” Lawrence said. “The Adirondack region offers something for everyone, whether you're discovering the area for the first time or have called it home for years. Events like this help us showcase the diversity, warmth, and beauty of our communities, and we’re honored to play a part in making them happen.” The weekend opens with a welcome reception in Lake Placid, complete with drinks and snacks available. Saturday highlights include ski meetups at Whiteface Mountain, an après ski party with music at Whiteface’s Cloudspin Bar and Grill, and a drag show at the Twisted Raven in Wilmington. Current season pass holders are encouraged to take part in the event at Whiteface Mountain on Saturday. On Sunday, Origin Coffee Co. and the Bookstore Plus are teaming up to offer a special coffee and book hour. Miles of cross-country ski trails at Mt Van Hoevenberg are open throughout the weekend, ice skating will take place on the original Olympic speed skating oval, and other winter activities will be available throughout the Village of Lake Placid and the Whiteface Region. During downtime, visitors can explore shopping and dining opportunities along Lake Placid’s Main Street. Olympic Authority Communications Manager Jaime Collins says, “We are excited to announce that registration for Adirondack Winter Pride will include tickets to the first-ever International Biathlon Union Cup (IBU) event at Mt Van Hoevenberg. Scheduled just after the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, the competition will feature the world’s top biathletes and serve as the final two events of the 2025–2026 IBU Cup season.” Collins adds, “We’re excited to open our Olympic venues and share the warmth and energy of our community. Guests can look forward to a weekend full of memorable experiences and unique activities you won’t find anywhere else.” Adirondack Winter Pride is a collaboration between the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance (ANCGA), I LOVE NY, and other regional partners.