The first was held Jan. 13-15, and the next dates are Feb. 17-19 and March 16-17.

Hosted by DEC and Friends of Camp Santanoni, along with partners Adirondack Architectural Heritage, the town of Newcomb, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Adirondack Interpretive Center, the Winter Weekends invite visitors to enjoy winter recreation and exclusive winter access to the preserved buildings of the former great camp.

Camp Santanoni provides a 9.8-mile round-trip cross-country ski or snowshoe excursion. The trail traverses from the Gate Lodge Complex, past the Farm Complex, to the remote lakeside Main Camp Complex, providing a moderate ski and a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. For those who don’t have their own skis or snowshoes, the Adirondack Interpretive Center provides snowshoes free of charge to visitors at the Gate Lodge.

In addition to the 9.8-mile round trip from the Gate Lodge to the Main Lodge, cross-country skiers and snowshoers are encouraged to take the half-mile trail that connects Camp Santanoni to the nearby Adirondack Interpretive Center’s 3.6-mile trail system.

Camp Santanoni buildings will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Reservations are not required and there is no cost associated with the events. For more information, contact AARCH at 518-834-9328.

Skiers and snowshoers are welcome to recreate on the trail and surrounding lands every day during the winter months. However, during the Winter Weekend events cross-country skiers and snowshoers are able to visit both the Gate Lodge and Main Lodge of Camp Santanoni, view displays about the great camp, take interpretive tours with AARCH volunteers, and learn more of the camp’s history with DEC Historic Preservation Officer Charles Vandrei.

The Artist’s Studio, a stone building near the main lodge on the shores of Newcomb Lake, is open as a warming hut during Winter Weekend events. Visitors can reheat by the woodstove before heading back outdoors for their return trip.