Throughout the winter weekends on Friday and Saturday evenings, the Wild Center is hosting Wild Lights, presented by Merrill L. Thomas, Inc., a dazzling display that transforms the campus into a winter wonderland. he Wild Center, which will remain open throughout the winter season, will also offer familiar activities, such as Winter Wild Walk and snowshoeing, as well as new ones like kicksledding and the outdoor winter otter play yard.

With Wild Lights, visitors will be able to bask in the glow of the award-winning Wild Walk and stroll through Forest Music while surrounded by immersive music and lights – curated specifically for the looped trail. Hot beverages and warm food options will also be available for purchase with a credit card. Warming huts and fire pits will be placed throughout the campus to offer a welcome reprieve from the winter weather.

Visitors to The Wild Center can continue to enjoy Winter Wild Walk, a platformed trail along the treetops providing stunning views of the ice-capped Adirondack mountains. There will also be plenty of snow fun, including a snowball-throwing range and winter skeeball. In addition, multiple wintry photo stations have been set up for the perfect family photo.

Free snowshoe rentals will allow guests to explore the trails throughout the 115-acre campus. And new this year, guests can also discover the outdoor activity that millions of Scandinavians have loved for generations: kicksledding. Free kicksled rentals let guests kick, glide and zip along trails with ease. Other winter programming includes viewing areas of the animal ambassadors that call The Wild Center home and a behind-the-scenes look at the Center’s otters from their outdoor play yard. Watch as the river otters roll, hop, and slide through the snow!

As a continued commitment to the health and safety of visitors, staff and the wider community, The Wild Center has implemented limited capacity, enhanced operational procedures and cleaning protocols including mask requirements for all visitors over the age of 2, the closure of indoor exhibits, social distancing and cashless transactions.

The Wild Center is open Fridays through Sundays throughout the winter. Reservations for both experiences are required for all guests and members. Wild Lights is included with day-time Wild Center reservations (10am-5pm). Guests may also make Wild Lights-only reservations (Fri. and Sat. from 5pm-7pm). Wild Lights-only reservations are free for members, $10 for adults, and $5 for youth.

Support for this project was provided by I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Market New York program. For more information on guidelines and reservations, refer to The Wild Center’s Visit page: www.wildcenter.org/visit/.

Derek Tepe, left, and Morgan Shaw walk through the Wild Center’s Wild Lights exhibit it is running while staying open this winter. (Provided photo — Rick Godin)