When to visit Lake Placid & Adirondacks without the crowds
Lake Placid & Adirondacks (New York, United States) is calmest in March, April, May, June, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with April, May, June and November: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Jun & Nov
When everyone heads home
The second week of October.
Tip
It hosted two Winter Olympics: you can ride the bobsled with a pilot.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3/5 · moderate ✦ | -4 °C (24 °F)10 rainy days · ~77 cm of snow | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 3/5 · moderate ✦ | -2 °C (28 °F)10 rainy days · ~69 cm of snow | Presidents Day |
| March | 1/5 · calm ✦ | 2 °C (36 °F)11 rainy days · ~52 cm of snow | |
| April | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 9 °C (48 °F)13 rainy days · ~23 cm of snow | |
| May | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 17 °C (62 °F)12 rainy days · ~1 cm of snow | Memorial Day |
| June | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 21 °C (70 °F)13 rainy days | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 24 °C (76 °F)12 rainy days | Independence Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy | 23 °C (73 °F)12 rainy days | |
| September | 3/5 · moderate | 20 °C (67 °F)7 rainy days | Labour Day |
| October | 2/5 · calm | 13 °C (55 °F)12 rainy days · ~6 cm of snow | Fall foliage (late Sep–Oct) |
| November | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 4 °C (39 °F)13 rainy days · ~38 cm of snow | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 2/5 · calm ✦ | -2 °C (29 °F)13 rainy days · ~59 cm of snow | Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Black fly season (May–Jun): bring repellent.
- Snow (Apr): about 23 cm in a typical month; in 10 years there were 4 days with over 15 cm (the biggest, 24 cm on Apr 19, 2022). Estimated from Copernicus ERA5.
- Snow (Nov): about 38 cm in a typical month; in 10 years there were 3 days with over 15 cm (the biggest, 22 cm on Nov 16, 2018). Estimated from Copernicus ERA5.
What to see, and when
- Ski season (Dec–Mar).
- Good snow (Dec–Mar): about 52–77 cm in a typical month; in 10 years there were 31 days with over 15 cm (the biggest, 42 cm on Mar 14, 2017). Estimated from Copernicus ERA5.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Lake Placid & Adirondacks without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually March, April and May (crowds 1/5). In May the average high is 17 °C (62 °F). All the calm months: March, April, May, June, October, November and December.
When is Lake Placid & Adirondacks most crowded?
The busiest season is July and August. The second week of October.
What is the weather like in Lake Placid & Adirondacks?
Average highs range from -4 °C (24 °F) in January to 24 °C (76 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025). It rains most in April (about 13 days) and least in September (7). It snows most in January: about 77 cm in a typical month (estimated).
What should I know before going to Lake Placid & Adirondacks?
Black fly season (May–Jun): bring repellent. Snow (Apr): about 23 cm in a typical month; in 10 years there were 4 days with over 15 cm (the biggest, 24 cm on Apr 19, 2022). Estimated from Copernicus ERA5. Snow (Nov): about 38 cm in a typical month; in 10 years there were 3 days with over 15 cm (the biggest, 22 cm on Nov 16, 2018). Estimated from Copernicus ERA5.
What is there to see in Lake Placid & Adirondacks by season?
Ski season (Dec–Mar). Good snow (Dec–Mar): about 52–77 cm in a typical month; in 10 years there were 31 days with over 15 cm (the biggest, 42 cm on Mar 14, 2017). Estimated from Copernicus ERA5.
What festivals are there in Lake Placid & Adirondacks?
The main ones: Fall foliage (late Sep–Oct) (October).
More places in New York
- New York City calm in January, February, March, September and October; busiest in July
- The Hamptons & Montauk calm in January, February, March, April, May, October and December; busiest in July, August and September