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5 Black-Owned Health & Wellness Businesses in CapNY

February 24, 2021 By Arielle Steele

Jamel Mosely and Rachelle Pean of Root3d, photo courtesy Collaborative Magazine

Now more than ever, the adage “health is wealth” rings true. As the world gets smaller in the face of COVID-19, taking care of oneself can seem like a daunting task, especially for those in Black and brown communities. Black and brown folks are more likely to be on the frontline in service positions that do not provide effective protections against the virus. We also historically have had less access to adequate health care. Knowing the threat COVID-19 poses it makes it difficult to even feel safe with one another.

With that being said, I believe that no one can take care of you like your own. As a Black woman in Upstate NY, I know that finding community can be a challenge. However, there are leaders here who are taking a holistic approach to wellness. By finding healing in one another, we find a sense of home, and we also ensure that Black business endures in the Capital Region. So if you’ve got your tribe and are looking for something new, or are searching for a wellness space, here is a brief list of Black-owned businesses dedicated to uplifting and serving Black and brown communities in the 518.

Root3d

Co-founded by Rachelle Pean and Jamel Mosely in 2019, Root3d is a local wellness center that uses a mixture of therapy, energy work, and movement based classes to address health in the Cap Region.

Root3d originally started out as a yoga class run by Pean at the African-American Cultural Center, but when she noticed that she garnered a sizable following she decided to answer the call for more.

“I noticed that when we had the yoga classes, people would stick around after and start talking about things like body image or how breathing is helping them manage depression. Having a space where it’s all about connecting with your body and your breath automatically opened up a space to talk about emotional health. It just made sense and goes together with healing. It’s the three dimensions of healing, which the Root3d stands for: mind, body, and spirit.”

Their Mission

Root3d aims to create a safe space where participants can feel free to be their whole selves, “We have a space where we feel like we’re seen, we’re heard, and we’re safe and then we can show up with [our unique individual] needs. And that can shape the space.” Root3d makes room for the multitudes that human beings contain, especially people of color.

How They Serve the Black Community

“The fact that most of our teachers/healers are Black and brown– there’s something that happens when there’s someone that looks like you. You see yourself represented in a space, whether it’s the teacher or other people in the class, something in you goes, ‘Oh this is for me too.'” Their offerings also aren’t one size fits all because of the range and wealth of knowledge of the instructors. Per Rachelle Pean, the teachers just offer their experiences and what they know, which is not one size fits all healing.

Why They’re Passionate

Founder Rachelle sees the connections between the present and the past in how Black and brown people are approaching wellness. “I know our origins, I know how we heal ourselves. I know how much we heal in the community. We’re not just about the individual. It makes me so passionate to see us coming back to that and to see that the Root3d is one of many.” Relying on the whole in order to restore the self is the driving force behind Root3d.

Where to Find Them

Root3d is located at 165 South Pearl St, Albany, NY 12202. However if you would like to take classes virtually instead of in-person classes, you can catch them on their Instagram live streams or register for their Zoom classes.

Red Door Beauty and Wellness Garden

Wellness does not have a particular look, in fact it can have many! Established by hairstylist Erin Hundley, Red Door Beauty and Wellness Garden is equal parts beauty salon as it is wellness center as it focuses on non-traditional healing methods. Hundley also has a consignment shop within the salon which features independent products from Black women.

Her Mission

Erin states, “My focus is the integration of inner and outer beauty through hair, mind, and spirit.” Her special blend of hair services, life coaching, and offerings of the wellness sanctuary for relaxation supports this ethos. She wishes to establish a place of peace for BIPOC, especially Black women as we experience an intersection of violence in our lives. “We choose battles in our lives and I choose not to fight my hair. As Black women we have always had to to fight. I get so tired of fighting. That’s the groundwork of my business, healing that.”

How She Serves the Black Community

Outside of aiding BIPOC with styling and transitioning to natural hair, Hundley offers mentorship as she wants to offer what she didn’t have coming into her own as a Black woman. She showcases independent Black creatives in her consignment shop that features hair care products alongside crystals, incense, and tonics. Her consignment shop has lowered rates as she wants to help indie creators get their foot into the door.

Why She’s Passionate About Her Work

While Hundley’s interest in holistic health came much later in life, she’s always had a natural affinity for hair. “My grandmother and mother used to always go to the hairdresser, and I always gravitated towards [this work]. My cousin was like my test dummy, If I would go to the hairdresser with my mom I would watch the hairdressers and would try it out on my cousin. And she would let me!” Growing up in that atmosphere sewed a deep love for hair as Hundley came into her own as a woman.

Where to Find Her

Red Door Beauty & Wellness is still open during COVID and you can book an individual session here . Her shop is located at 510 State St, Schenectady, NY 12305 and support the creatives she features in her consignment shop here.

Healing Whispers

Though we traditionally think of health as it relates to the body, there are nontraditional ways to address spiritual health as well. Josy Smith does just that with her business Healing Whispers, located at 251 Karner Rd, in Colonie, NY.

Josy Smith is a Reiki Master Teacher, spiritual path coach, and an astrologer based in the Capital Region. In her work with Reiki, a Japanese technique that encourages clients to meditate and open themselves up spiritually to clear any negative energy in their bodies, Josy helps her clients heal a vulnerable space.

Her Mission

In her work Josy emphasizes connecting people — namely Black and brown folks — with their ancestors. “Who we are are who we come from. [I want to help] people understand that venerating your ancestors it’s who we are. It’s who we come from. It’s the source of so much power especially for Black people. The ancestors are those Healing Whispers that come to us in our time of need.” To Josy our ancestors are a form of guidance and protection. They create a sense of the divine inside of us.

How She Serves the Black Community

Healing Whispers’ physical location is closed due to Covid, but check back for updates or **book a tele session**

Josy not only services the Black community spiritually she also creates space for burgeoning independent business owners in the capital district. “I offer fully furnished professional rooms to rent for practitioners at very affordable prices. Commercial real estate is ridiculously expensive. For any practitioner who is looking to test the waters of their business, but do it in a way that fits their pockets, I provide that space. This starts from $20/hr and grows to different packages. She also has historically lended her space for local activists.”

In terms of local activism Josy also opens the space and calls in the ancestors for Black Lives Matters rallies, protests and meetings. She ensures that the space becomes sacred and allows for activists to stand on the shoulders of those from the past.

Why She’s Passionate About Her Work

Josy Smith has always had a love for spirituality. She got her start as a Vodoun practitioner with the blessing of a well respected Haitian mambo, or priestess. After she received a divination, her mentor priestess directed her to become initiated in the practice. From there she pursued her spiritual journey and has studied other works such as astrology to help guide others.

Where to Find Her

You can book a tele session with Josy here. You can also find her on Facebook.

Shia O’ Doula Services

For our expectant parents who would like to expand their prenatal care, there are options other than the standard OB/GYN.

Shia O is a doula who works in conjunction with nurses and OBs to help ensure the safety of parent and child before, after, and during delivery. Shia O gained her doula certifications in 2019 via BirthNet and has been active since.

Her Mission

Shia O says a doula “is a person who provides emotional and physical support to a person during pregnancy and childbirth. We are not medical professionals but we assist during labor and delivery. A lot of what I do is postpartum care. I stay on until people are settled and then I check in periodically up to 6 weeks later after the baby is born, or even longer if the parent wants it.”

How She Serves the Black Community

In terms of service toward Black parents, Shia O’s main role has been as an educator. “I like giving people other ideas. As a community we get stuck in our ways: if you get pregnant, you go to a doctor, you do things in a very specific way. And it’s like, no! Actually midwives and doulas are the ways we’ve been doing it since before [Black people] came here. So just having that conversation of education. Everybody doesn’t want the same thing, but it’s an option for you.”

Why She’s Passionate About Her Work

Shia O has a background in non-profit work as a care manager working with underprivileged youth. From the experience of supporting a teenage couple with their pregnancy, Shia O realized that this is another dimension of service she could enter.

“I love children, I love babies all the way up til they’re 21 in my program [at the non-profit]. I have a lot of genuine love to share and that is my passion. My commitment is to work with folks, it doesn’t matter your socioeconomic status, your race, your gender. I’ll meet people where they’re at.”

Where to Find Her

Shia O is based in Troy, NY and serves clients around the area. If you or someone you know would like to utilize her services you contact her at ShiaODoulaServices@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.

Indie Vibez

Looking for an energy shift or a yoga class? Well look no further than Indie Vibez. Founded in 2017 by Bronx born energy worker Sasha Baxter, Indie Vibez is a brand that not only offers Kemetic Yoga classes and Reiki healing sessions, but also offers resources to aid cleansing like crystals, candles, and sage.

Her Mission

Through Kemetic Yoga and Reiki sessions, Indie Vibez wishes to begin healing with energy, “Healing energy rides on the breath. Through breath and slow movement, my goal is to assist with breaking up those kinks– those energetic blockages throughout your physical body so that your energy can flow more freely.”

So what is Kemetic Yoga? Kemetic Yoga is yoga that’s rooted in the belief that yoga has roots in Africa, specifically Kemet. The poses are influenced from hieroglyphics. Though there is not much of a written history, the practice relies on the oral histories and research to carry on the tradition.

How She Serves the Black Community

Sasha believes that Reiki gives Black people a chance to see what healing looks like for the individual first before the community. “As Black people, a lot of what’s been ingrained in us– a lot of it being necessary– starts with the community first. Sometimes that looks like not prioritizing ourselves. With reiki all we ask of you is to lay on the table and be open to it and it just flows. It’s a beautiful transformative process that allows you to start healing with ourselves first. That’s how you make change.” Sasha is among the few health and wellness professionals who genuinely strive for healing her customers and also upholds her wellness branding with integrity.

Why She’s Passionate About Her Work

“Through Reiki I have healed a lot of things and felt love deeper. I’ve experienced the world differently. I’ve learned to dream bigger and I’ve actually seen those dreams come to fruition. The way that Reiki has changed my life is something I think we all deserve.”

Where to Find Her

Sasha currently leads biweekly Reiki Meditation with The Root3d Tuesdays at 6:30, and offers remote individual Reiki cleansing. She hopes in due time that she will be able to open Indie Vibez’s doors in the fall.

While this is just a sample of what the Capital Region has to offer, these bold and dynamic businesses are representative of the community we wish to maintain in the 518. Community that builds the individual so that they may become part of the whole. If holistic health isn’t your speed, we encourage you to take a look at our index of Black Businesses. There you will find a variety of services that believe in the spirit of supporting one another.

Written by: Arielle Steele

Arielle is a local writer who has a passion for community, film, dance, and Beyoncé. When she is not working at Ayco, she can be found working on her next film project or trying out a new hairstyle.

5 CapNY Up-And-Coming Musical Artists You Need To Know About

February 10, 2021 By upstatecreative

There is no doubt that the talent we have in CapNY is filled to the brim. From Warren and Washington Counties, down to Columbia and Greene Counties, there’s no shortage of creative talent in any field or industry. When it comes to music, these five individuals are shining their bright lights across the region and beyond. Get to know them, listen to their music, follow them on social media, and let’s show our up-and-coming local musical artists some love.

L.Y.S., Rensselaer

Elyssa, or L.Y.S. for “Love Your Self,” is a super dope artist and person. She classifies herself as a “bedroom pop artist,” meaning she makes the type of music you listen to at home, by yourself when you’re in a reflective state. Her music venture started before the pandemic, and the isolation inspired her to build her own home studio, with audio and production capabilities. L.Y.S. has music out now, and will be releasing more on Soundcloud and other platforms throughout 2021.

IG / Soundcloud

Ohzhe, Albany

Ohzhe has performed on the majority of Upstate stages that I go to. I consider him a lyricist. He’s the definition of hip hop. He’s also a father. A true jack of all trades, he has his own home setup and does his own visuals through his company, Vault 7 Media. Ohzhe releases his music on Bandcamp, which is geared toward up-and-coming artists releasing music. You can also find him on 518 Mixtape, a musical collection of local artists, which is available on Bandcamp.

Amani O., aka Amani the Poet or Amani the Femcee, Troy

Performer Amani O. calls themself a “raptivist.” They’re a rapper and a poet, pushing a cultural revolution with or without a beat. They have a project out right now called “Raptivist Music & Rebel Poems” – out on all platforms. They’re also featured on 518 Mixtape.

IG / website & to listen…

Symone Noelle, Saratoga Springs

I consider Symone Noelle a blooming singer and songwriter. She has a soothing tone and song selection. Along with being a musician, she owns an architectural design business, @taylornoelledesign. She doesn’t have music out yet, but she does a whole bunch of covers on her Instagram and will be dropping music in 2021, along with an interview on Youtube with yours truly, DJ Hollyw8d.

IG / website

Gian Life, Albany

Gian Life is an instrumentalist, plays piano and guitar, a lyricist, can hop on a beat and start rapping which is super cool. He does it all. Along with musician, he’s a front line worker, working at a local hospital and believe it or not, is a great bread maker. Bread, as in dough, yes, bread maker. He has music dropping on all platforms in 2021, but in the meantime, you can listen to his music on Instagram – he goes live all the time.

IG / Soundcloud

Stay tuned for the launch of The Small Room Series, a monthly show in which CapNY musical artists from all genres will share their music and their stories, produced and hosted by DJ Hollyw8d.

By: DJ Hollyw8d

DJ Hollyw8d is an influencer who curates shows for independent artists and hosts a radio segment on WCDB 90.9 FM to highlight the arts, especially music. HollyW8D quickly learned that with being a DJ, it’s more than music; it’s a platform to move not only bodies but also the human spirit, to change the mood of an entire room, to share light with other artists and space with people who share a passion for music. Follow him on social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, Website

4 Self-Care Ideas for CapNY Singles

February 10, 2021 By upstatecreative

Capital Heart Connection – living our best single lives!

Capital Heart Connection always celebrate singledom – but that doesn’t mean it can’t be tough sometimes! Whether you get a little down seeing your coupled up friends on the gram, or maybe you find yourself wishing you had a romantic partner to do some exploring with, or just feeling down due to being stuck in the middle of a pandemic…we get it. Being single can get a little bit lonely sometimes. The good news is, there are so many great ways to enjoy a little self-care all throughout CapNY. We’ve got a few of our favorite ways to show ourselves a little love for you here:

Becky’s Tips:

1.Take Yourself on a Date

mad jack brewery — Mad Jack Brewing Company at The Van Dyck is a great spot to dine at the bar

I’m a big believer that you have to show yourself the love that you want to bring into your life. So, with that, sometimes I take myself on a date.

If you’ve never done it, eating out alone can feel intimidating, but I’d bet many of you have a favorite spot or two where you know some of the bartenders or waitstaff. That’s a great place to start! (And, if you don’t have a favorite spot yet, this is a perfect way to find one). Clean yourself up, put on a favorite outfit and grab yourself a seat at the bar. Order a favorite drink and something decadent and enjoy! A few of my favorite spots for this are The Van Dyck and The City Squire in Schenectady. In my new neighborhood of Downtown Albany, I love DPs and The Hollow.

Pro tips — if you like sports, do this to watch a game and you’ll almost always make friends! And, if you’re not feeling social or chatty, bring a book or magazine with you so you can take a break from your phone while giving off a “no thanks” vibe to those who might try to chat you up.

city squire — The City Squire’s French Onion Soup with a glass of Pinot Noir never disappoints

During the pandemic, I still try to create the same atmosphere for myself with some candles and special takeout. And yes, occasionally, I’ll even put on something cute just to stay home to show my non-sweatpants clothing some love. Some spots even do cocktails to go which is SO fun — check out Plumb Oyster Bar’s Cocktail Club, or Rosanna’s for some fabulous creations you can enjoy on your couch.

2. Move Your Body

Another favorite form of self-care is to get moving! There are so many ways to do this and you have to figure out what brings you joy. Movement should not feel like a punishment!

I sometimes enjoy running, but lately I’ve found long walks a bit more relaxing. I love the Mohawk Hudson Bike path — I’m lucky to live walking distance from the Corning Preserve and can hop on the path there. I also love the portion of the path that starts at Lions Park in Niskayuna.

I also absolutely love yoga! Connecting my breath to my movement and taking time to really be intentional about checking in with myself feels amazing for my body and my brain. Now is a great time to try yoga if you’re a newbie – there are tons of free and low-cost online options. Many local studios are also offering online courses that will allow you to practice safely and support small business. One of my favorite spaces that I can’t wait to get back to post-pandemic is Studio 4 Hot Yoga — with a special shout out to the “Sweet Sunday Surrender” Class!

Gabby’s Tips:

guinness — Solo travel (and being single) means lots of selfies…like this one in pub in Dublin drinking my first Guinness

3. Book yourself a night away

I’ve done a lot of solo travel, domestic and abroad. I traveled solo for a month and a half through Europe and it was one of the most awakening experiences of my life. I’m what one would call an ambivert – with extrovert and introvert qualities. So, despite the fact that I love being around and meeting new people, I rejuvenate through alone time, where I can reflect in peace. Solo travel is my definition of self-care. I’ve put together some of my favorite overnight stays in CapNY, which you can see via these links –Albany and Catskills.

If I’m riding solo, I’d choose to stay in a Getaway tiny home in the Catskills, I’d bring my pup, Mochi, and spend a night in nature – phone off. Bring a book you’ve been wanting to read, turn up your favorite podcast, and cozy in for a night of stillness and peace. Wake up in the morning, brew yourself a cup of coffee, and take a stroll through the calm woods. There’s nothing like it

4. Nourish your body with locally sourced and homemade goods

I love making charcuterie boards at home from goods I found at Farmer’s Markets

Self-care is about feeling good and paying attention to your health – mental, emotional, and physical. When I consume fresh, healthy goods and support small local business, it makes me feel whole and it truly nourishes my soul. Spend a day browsing local shops and farmers markets, invest in some foods that make you happy, find some treats that you love but rarely have, buy yourself a bouquet of flowers…I tend to engage in these type of self-care days often and here are some of my favorite CapNY spots to do it

The Local in Cohoes – I’ll grab a breakfast sandwich and coffee (only $6!) and then grab a locally made candle, a plant or two (I’m an obsessed plant mom – my collection consists of more than 30 plants at this point), and I’ll always pick up some fresh veggies.

market — Hudson has some of the most amazing food shops I’ve ever been to

Olde Hudson Speciality Foods in Hudson – I love going here to get everything I need to make a charcuterie board…charcuterie board for one – with organic wine from 22 2nd St, Wine Co. in downtown Troy… I mix up stuff from all parts of CapNY…makes for the best smorgashboard.
Sometimes I like to stay close to home and less than a mile away my from house is The Schenectady Trading Co., which now provides produce from Capital Roots, flowers from Village Floral of Scotia, and countless other local goods.

Becky Daniels of Albany, 34, and Gabby Fisher of Schenectady, 28, are two single, boss women who ROCK being single. Now, they want to share with you why they love living and experiencing CapNY solo…so they present to you, Capital Heart Connection! Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to be kept in the loop on singles content, events, and more fun than you could imagine.

LIVING ONLINE Spotlight: Performer Ryder Cooley

February 9, 2021 By Corey Aldrich

Ryder Cooley portrait by Julie McCarthy — Photo by Julie McCarthy

In the LIVING ONLINE Series, ACE Collaborator Corey Aldrich interviews artists on the the loss of the in person LIVE performance. First up is performer extraordinaire Ryder Cooley. For more on LIVING ONLINE, click here.

Who

Ryder Cooley

What musical style are you?

My style is very whimsical and doesn’t fit into a box, but I call it dark carnival dream music, which is a cousin of dark cabaret.

How long have you been playing live music in front of an audience?

Over 20 years.

How are you coping?

Currently my main gig is a virtual variety show at Club Helsinki in Hudson NY called ‘Wish You Were Hear.‘ This has given me something creative to focus on every month. Also, going outdoors, running in the woods, sleeping, cats, film noir movies, playing music with Jon B. Woodin and collaborating with Lisa M. Thomas (Thin Edge Film Productions) on videos, like the Dust Bowl Faeries’ Candy Store video, which we released last November.

How has the pandemic affected your artistic practice?

Live, embodied exchange between audience and performer is integral to my work. The virtual shows have been a big adjustment, like a dream that you’re trying to wake up from; empty chairs, no chatter at the bar, no hugs after the show, no audience, did it ever even happen? On the bright side, I’m really so grateful to be able to perform, especially at Club Helsinki Hudson, a place that, as a performer, I call home. I don’t create art for money, or for how many likes I get on a social media post. The shallowness of virtual exchange has been challenging.

Yet, the pandemic has forced me to slow down and reflect upon what is really important in life. I see more clearly the things I’m grateful for, the simple things, like my health, body, family, friends, community, having a roof over my head. Also, more than ever I recognize what a gift (and a privilege) it is to be an artist, and I don’t want to waste that. So, I’m trying my hardest to adapt and create during this time. And if/when we return to live music and performance, I will certainly never take it for granted, knowing as I do now that it can vanish at any moment.

Dust Bowl Faeries by Corey Aldrich — Photo by Corey Aldrich

How is this affecting you financially?

I never made much money, so I am already an expert at being broke! But I have also been very lucky, I’ve had enough part-time work to slide by on and generous patrons to keep me afloat, thank you universe!

What’s your plan for 2021?

My plan for 2021 is to expat to a tropical faerie land, far far away, where equality and ecology and species diversity are the most important things, and my 80 year old parents can come, and my friends, collaborators and cats too – where I can burn all my masks and flush my iphone down the toilet and delete all of my social media accounts. But if none of that happens, my backup plan is to get out of dodge, do some travelling, and hopefully start playing live shows again.

What advice would you give to other musicians struggling with the same challenge right now?

Go outside, play music, write songs, cast spells…

COREY ALDRICH, a longtime ACE Contributor, works out of Troy, New York where he runs a freelance consultancy that entails all aspects of brand development and business process management / development. Current projects include cash flow analysis, strategic market planning, 3rd party project oversight, public relations, event planning and front end visual brand design / design-build projects. He has a focus in not-for-profit arts and mission oriented organizations. In his free time he works on honing his craft as a photographer and guitarist. (corey@2440designstudio.com)

5 Lake George Winter Activities

January 27, 2021 By wordpress

Located in the southeastern Adirondacks, Lake George is a spectacular spot to enjoy numerous winter activities while avoiding the crowds of the summer. Now is the time where the area slows down from its bustling summer pace to and becomes a tranquil haven for those seeking snowy, outdoor adventures. From hiking to snowshoeing to skiing, you’ll never run out of things to do near the “Queen of American Lakes.”

Hiking

With its prime location in the Adirondack Mountains, hiking is a four-season option in the Lake George area. There are a huge range of trails, from towering mountains to gentle nature preserves. Just remember to have proper hiking gear on you such as microspikes or snowshoes whenever you are hiking in winter!

Sleeping Beauty Mountain

One of my favorites is Sleeping Beauty Mountain, located on the eastern side of the lake. This 3.6 mile out and back hike takes you over rolling terrain to a beautiful overlook of Lake George, the Southern Adirondack Mountains and even the Green Mountains in Vermont. You’ll get expansive views to the east, south and west within a fairly short walk at around 1.8 miles. The summit of Sleeping Beauty does have a lot of cliffs, so be careful once you reach the top as it can be icy. However, this hike is suitable for all skill levels, including children.

Shelving Rock Falls

Another of my beloved hiking spots is Shelving Rock Falls, just down the road from Sleeping Beauty. From the parking area on Shelving Rock Road, it’s only about .3 miles to the base of Shelving Rock Falls, a spectacular 50 foot cascade that pours into Lake George. This waterfall is truly a sight in wintertime, as blue and white ice make for stunning contrast to the dark green evergreens that surround the falls. This is another short but sweet hike that has a big payoff for little effort.

Snowshoeing

Lake George Recreation Center

Snowshoeing is one of my favorite winter activities, I love leisurely walking through snow covered woods. Lake George Recreation Center offers great snowshoeing opportunities right outside of town. Its five miles of mixed use trails take you over varied terrain, from rolling hills to steep inclines to flat straightaways. Level of difficulty ranges from beginner to advanced so there’s a trail for everyone! The trails snake along the bubbling Gage Brook, through a beautiful hardwood forest. The best part of this place is how quiet it is. I didn’t see a single person on the trail the whole time I was there! The Rec Center is easily accessible and located off the Northway at exit 21.

Up Yonda Farm

Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center is another must visit location for snowshoers. Every month the farm offers one-hour naturalist-guided snowshoe hikes for all ages. The hikes are led on Saturdays during January and February and admission includes rental snowshoes and hot cocoa! I love visiting Up Yonda Farm for the wonderful views of Lake George and the friendly staff that are passionate about the Adirondacks. More information on their guided snowshoe hikes and cost of admission is available on their website.

Cross Country Skiing

Cole’s Woods, Queensbury

If you’re a cross country skier, you must try Cole’s Woods in Queensbury, just south of Lake George. (My boyfriend, Terry, who loves cross country skiing, was adamant that Cole’s Woods made it into this article.) Cole’s Woods is home to the first lighted cross country ski trails in North America. Terry and I recently made the trip north for some night time skiing and snowshoeing. We headed out onto the 5 km race loop and enjoyed a lovely, foggy night in snow that was in perfect condition.

Although the woods are flanked by the Northway and the Aviation Mall, I was surprised at how I still felt like I was in a wilderness area. I loved how well lighted the trails were, and appreciated the lack of crowds. We saw just five people our entire time there! Additionally, if you don’t own your own skis, you can rent them at Inside Edge Ski and Bike, conveniently located right next to Cole’s Woods. I can’t wait to go back for some more nighttime winter fun! Cole’s Woods is free to visit.

Downhill Skiing and Tubing

The Lake George area has multiple opportunities for downhill skiing. Snow is plentiful in the Lake George area with snow fall usually occurring between November and April so there’s plenty of time to ski, snowboard and tube!

Gore Mountain Ski Resort

Just north of Lake George is Gore Mountain Ski Resort, a popular and beloved ski spot in the Adirondacks. Gore attracts skiers from all over the East Coast, with its 107 trails, 15 lifts and 12 Nordic trails for cross country skiing. And, there are tubing trails and other family-friendly ski options, too. Skiing looks a little different at Gore this winter with operational updates due to Covid, but they are still open for business, with tickets available to purchase online in advance of your visit. You can visit their website for more information on their updates and prices.

West Mountain

West Mountain is located in Queensbury, just south of Lake George Village. Home to 31 trails with over 1,000 feet in vertical drop and an all-ages tubing park, the trails at West Mountain are lighted so you can ski well into the night. West Mountain offers deals on different days of the week, so be sure to check their website for discounted rates! For more information on their Covid-19 protocols and lift tickets, visit their website.

Walk the Village

Lake George Village is a lovely place for a stroll. I particularly enjoy the waterfront by Shepard Park, and walking along the sidewalk around the southern end of the lake. When you’re done, warm up at a Lake George staple, Caffe Vero, serving breakfast and lunch. My favorite thing on their menu is the Chai Latte. Or, head to my personal favorite, Lake George Baking Company, for some local baked goods. In my opinion, they make one of the best black and white cookies in Upstate New York!

Written by: Maria Gigliello

Maria Gigliello is an avid hiker, paddler and writer who enjoys spending as much time as possible doing all three things in the Adirondack State Park. She is just as passionate about beer as she is about responsible outdoor recreation and is always in search of a good view and a brew. You can follow her adventures on her blog, The Dirt.