Winter at The Sagamore Resort is anything but quiet. Each January, the lakeside terrace transforms into a frozen spectacle where 300-pound blocks of ice, chainsaws, blowtorches, and a lot of muscle come together as one of the Adirondacks’ most anticipated winter traditions: the Glacier Ice Bar.

In this episode of ADK Talks, we’re joined by Tom Guay, General Manager of The Sagamore, whose career at the resort spans more than two decades and nearly every corner of hotel operations. Tom takes us behind the scenes of the Ice Bar’s creation, from its unlikely beginnings to the finely tuned winter event it is today.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• The long, resilient history of The Sagamore Resort, rebuilt, reimagined, and still standing strong on Green Island since the 1800s
• How a quiet winter lull sparked the idea for an ice bar and why the first year exceeded every expectation
• The creative process behind the Ice Bar, including yearly themes, life-size sculptures, and why the bar itself is always the star
• What it actually takes to build it all: 300-pound ice blocks, chainsaws, chisels, blowtorches, aluminum plates, and old-fashioned teamwork
• The role of chefs and teams from across the Opal Collection, traveling property to property to carve and collaborate
• Why the Ice Bar helped reshape winter tourism in the Lake George region
• Tom’s favorite hidden spots on Lake George, from Paradise Bay to quiet corners only reachable by boat

Resources:

• The Sagamore Resort – Lodging, events, Glacier Ice Bar details
• Bolton Landing – Dining, winter events, and village happenings
• Lake George – The lake that shapes it all
• Lake George Association – Protecting water quality
• Lake George Land Conservancy – Protecting the land that protects the Lake

Produced by NOVA

Rick Vidal left global boardrooms for a forgotten ski mountain and found something much bigger than a renovation project.

In this episode of ADK Talks, we head to Jay, New York, to explore the remarkable reinvention of the former Pale Face Ski Area, now reborn as NewVida Preserve. Rick shares the deeply personal story behind buying a long-closed resort, reopening land that had been private for decades, and rebuilding not just buildings, but trust and community.

What unfolds is a conversation about second acts, Adirondack resilience, and what it really takes to bring a place back to life without stripping away its soul.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• The surprising history of Pale Face Ski Area, once a family-friendly counterpoint to Whiteface Mountain
• What it was like to take ownership of a dormant 2,000-acre property with no maps, no systems, and a literal bucket of keys
• How NewVida balances preservation with reinvention, from vintage ski chairs to repurposed runs turned into trails
• Why opening 45 miles of trails to the public was non-negotiable
• The challenge of building trust as newcomers and what the Adirondack spirit really looks like in practice
• Bringing bold, global cuisine to the High Peaks region and raising the bar for dining in the North Country
• Hosting weddings, retreats, wellness programs, and community events in a former ski lodge
• The uphill climb of attracting investors to the Adirondacks and why regional branding still matters
• A friendly ghost story hiding in the old gym
• Rick’s favorite local gem: the growing Hardy Mountain Bike Trails near Wilmington and Jay

Places and organizations mentioned

• NewVida Preserve – Lodging, dining, wellness programs, events, and public trail access in Jay, NY
• Whiteface Mountain
• Jay, New York
• Wilmington, New York
• Adirondack Park Agency
• Adirondack Park Paranormal Society
• Hardy Road Mountain Bike Trails

This episode is a reminder that the Adirondacks are still a place for big ideas, careful stewardship, and bold second chances. Whether you come for the views, the trails, the food, or the stories, NewVida Preserve is writing a new chapter on old ground.

Resources:

• Check out the NewVida Preserve website

Produced by NOVA

Winter in the Adirondacks can feel otherworldly. Snow-draped trees, hushed trails, bluebird summit days, and the kind of stillness that only comes when the temperature drops. It can also turn dangerous fast.

In this episode of ADK Talks, we welcome back Jeff Berry and Elena Lumby from Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks (SARNAK) for an honest, practical, and sometimes chilling conversation about the realities of winter hiking. From hypothermia and headlamp failures to summit fever and post-holing, Jeff and Elena share real stories from the field and lessons learned the hard way.

This episode is essential listening if you are planning winter hikes around MLK Weekend, Presidents’ Day, or anytime snow and cold are part of the equation.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Why winter hiking is so magical and why it demands respect
• How quickly hypothermia can set in, even close to the trailhead
• What “be bold, start cold” actually means in practice
• Why two headlamps are non-negotiable, and phones don’t count
• The dangers of sweat, wet clothing, and poor heat management
• Why signing trail registers and sharing trip plans saves lives
• A true story involving a winter hike, summit fever, and a baby on Cascade
• How the 10 Essentials change in winter conditions
• Snowshoes, post-holing, and why it’s a ticketable offense in the High Peaks
• How to build skills safely through classes, guides, and local resources

Resources:

• Into the Wild: Search and Rescue in the Adirondacks
• SARNAK
• Hike Safe New York
• Mountain Forecast
• Adirondack Mountain Club
• Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC)
• The Mountaineer (Keene Valley)
• High Peaks Information Center (Mount Jo area)
• Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC), Newcomb
• Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center
• Wilderness Medical Associates
• REI
• Cavu Café (Adirondack Regional Airport, Lake Clear)
• Left Bank Café (Saranac Lake)
• Origin Coffee (Saranac Lake)
• Capisce (Lake Placid)

Produced by NOVA