The Gala involves the entire community in a distinctly North Country display of antics and clowning around. The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival and its famous ice castle are festive highlights of winter. The famed Ice Palace, which appears in almost all tourist publications depicting winter in the North Country, began as an outgrowth of the village s ice industry, which harvested ice from local lakes for use in early 20th-century ice boxes. The elaborate structure continues to evolve every year, and it s a sight to behold on the first and last days of the carnival when fireworks serve as a backdrop. The carnival is held during the first week of February.
Most events are free.
These citizen games, held in late February and early March, offer competition in figure and speed skating, luge, bobsled, cross-country and downhill skiing, and other winter sports. Fireworks, special events and an atmosphere of fun prevail during the games. Spectators pay fees to attend certain events, but many are free. Athletes compete at various skill levels. Traditionally held in late February, this carnival offers antiques, games, races and music.