Canton, NY, Feb 19, 2013 — If you're one of the many cross-country skiers who enjoys the perfectly groomed trails on St. Lawrence University's golf course in Canton, here's the guy you want to thank.

Pete Ames is the chief engineer at the Best Western hotel. He volunteers every winter to lay 13 miles of trail with a snowmobile. David Sommerstein came across him while on a ski recently and has this Heard Up North.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Mar 11, 2011 — As rain and sleet and mud make us pine away for spring, let's take a moment to acknowledge what we've had - more than two months of a snow-covered landscape, an opportunity to scoot out for a cross-country ski pretty much anytime, anywhere.

In Canton, loads of skiers take advantage of the St. Lawrence University golf course for a quick trek. It's right in North Country Public Radio's backyard. David Sommerstein has this appreciation of the lunchtime ski.

NOTE: As alert listeners have told me, the cross-country ski trails are maintained by volunteer Pete Ames, chief engineer at the Best Western, on his own time. Thanks a million, Pete!  Go to full article

Feb 07, 2011 — On Friday, the state Department of Environmental Conservation filed court documents reopening a dispute involving an old road that runs between Lake Placid and Keene.

The controversial case involves a section of the route which is now used as part of the Jackrabbit ski trail.

Green groups say the outcome of the dispute will set a precedent for how road-closures are handled throughout the Adirondack Park.

But as Chris Morris reports, snowmobile activists and town leaders say the case has already been settled.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Jan 18, 2011 — It's been a spotty winter for backcountry skiing in much of the North Country. But the last week or so has been picture perfect, with good snow and blue sunny skies. Brian Mann headed out over the weekend and sent back this morning's audio postcard.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Mar 25, 2010 — The state Assembly issued its proposed spending blueprint yesterday. Democratic leaders there proposed saving the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility. They also called for full funding for the Olympic Regional Development Authority. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Mar 02, 2010 — Search and rescue teams in the southern Adirondacks had a busy 12-hour stretch from Sunday afternoon to Monday morning.

Six skiers--including two young children--went out-of-bounds and got trapped by deep snow and wilderness terrain. With help from Gore Mountain ski patrollers, Forest Rangers trudged up the mountain for a midnight rescue. Jonathan Brown reports.  Go to full article

Jan 19, 2010 — Winter is a favorite time of year for a lot of people in the North Country. In Tupper Lake, that cold-weather joy is dialed up another notch this season. The Big Tupper ski area reopened earlier this month for the first time in a decade. In the fall, Brian Mann profiled some of the volunteers who've been bringing the mountain back to life. Yesterday, he skied Big Tupper for the first time and sent this audio postcard.  Go to full article

Nov 25, 2009 — Big Tupper used to be a beloved destination for skiers and families from across the North Country. Now a group of volunteers and activists in Tupper lake is fighting to bring the mountain back. If all goes as planned in the next few weeks, the ski area will reopen for the first time in more than a decade. Brian Mann visited the mountain and has our story.  Go to full article

Feb 17, 2009 — World championships kick off tomorrow in Nordic combined. That's the sport that combines endurance cross-country skiing with long-distance ski jumping. For Vermontville's Billy Demong, this week's competition in the Czech Republic comes at the end of what may be his best season yet. Demong is 29 years old and grew up in the Adirondacks. His career nearly ended in 2003 after he fractured his skull in a pool-diving accident. But he arrives at these championships with a new endorsement deal and fresh off a win at the World Cup competition in Germany. He spoke yesterday with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Jan 21, 2009 — Brian Mann sends a quick audio snapshot from one of the funnest plummets on the Jackrabbit ski trail.  Go to full article