Snow isn’t just for shoveling. These snowy Adirondack days are providing the perfect weather for a February filled with winter festivals.

In all the far reaches of the Park, celebrating snow and ice is a tradition showcasing the playful aspects of wintertime.

Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival, February 2-11, culminates this weekend with a variety of events and activities supporting its Adirondack Festival theme. With tubing and skating races, BBQ, gala parade, torchlight ski, or an Adirondack Carousel carnival character lunch, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is hitting all the high notes. Walk through the famed ice palace, an annual tradition of winter or watch fireworks over Lake Flower.

Old Forge’s Olympic winter weekend kicks off this Friday, February 9, with a parade down Main Street, a retro-priced McCauley ski ticket ($12), night skating and a bonfire at the rink. Saturday is a day full of adventure with the Polar Bear Snowflake Derby, King and Queen Coronation, torchlight ski with daredevil ski jumpers, and a rousting array of fireworks.

Presidents weekend will be busy with festivals scheduled in Indian Lake, Lake George, Raquette Lake, and Clifton-Fine/Wanakena.

Clifton-Fine’s White Out Weekend, February 16-18, opens with a luminary lighting across the historic Wanakena footbridge. The weekend festival is a nice blending of indoors and outside activities. A special KidsZone offers a chance to warm up with STEM activities, Teddy Bear clinic, and puppet show or hit the snow for some mini Olympic events. Throughout the area don’t forget to check out the Wanakena Ranger School for fun-filled winter yard games and guided trips along the Peavine Swap trail.

Indian Lake’s Snocade is taking place February 16-24. The week long schedule of activities has a range of kids crafts, dog sled rides, guided snowshoe hikes, along with cardboard sled races and fireworks at the Indian Lake Ski Hill.

Inlet’s Frozen Fire and Ice takes place at Fern Park February 24 with free sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. There are cardboard sled races, children’s snowmobile races, food tastings, as well as a bonfire and fireworks at Arrowhead Park.

Brant Lake’s one day celebration of winter takes place outside of Jimbo’s Club on the Point, February 24. Yes, outhouse races will happen on the lake. If you can’t make the whole winter carnival circuit, keep in mind that Lake George has special Winter Carnival events every weekend in February.

Photo of Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Mt Pisgah torchlight parade used with the permission of Diane Chase, AdirondackFamilyTime.com