Cross Country Skiing at the VIC: Ski Trail (21 March 2013). Photo by Tom Boothe. Used by permission.

Chili Ski Fest
21 February 2015
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Chili Ski Fest 2014 Chili Ski Fest 2014

The VIC will host our annual “comfort food” and fun on the snow extravaganza. Chef Sarah Longley and Paul Smith's College culinary students will create pots of delicious vegetarian and carnivore chili sure to satisfy the cold weather palates of skiers and snowshoers.   There will also be ski and snow shoe demonstrations, ski with a naturalist, a waxing clinic, and a fun “Find the Gazebos ” poker run.  The chili and events are included in the purchase of a ski pass or $10 per person for people not going out on the trails. ​​

Kids' Snowshoe Walk and Games
10:00 AM to Noon

Make Chili Ski Fest a whole family outing.  Before the chili tasting, kids (Grades 3-5) can be a part of a snowshoe walk and play some outdoors games that will get them in the chili mood.  Dress warmly and bring or rent a pair of snowshoes to hit the trails! The cost is $20/person, $40/family. There is a 25% discount for Friends of the VIC and Season Pass Holders.



Featured Activities
9:00 AM Skate Ski clinic for beginners with Jack Burke. Bring skate skis with no kick wax and a pair of longer poles to learn the proper glide technique, V-1, V-2, V-2 Alternate. Registration requested. Free with ski pass.
10:00 AM - noon "Find the Gazebos" Poker Run: Skiers and snowshoers are given a map with locations of all 7 gazebos identified on it.  They each visit as many gazebos as they can.  At each one, they get a playing card. They bring their cards back to the VIC Building. At noon, the best poker hands win prizes.
11:00 AM Ski with a Naturalist: Explore the natural wonders of winter in the Adirondack Park with VIC Naturalist Brian McAllister.
Noon - the food runs out Feast on chili and corn bread prepared and served by Chef Sarah Longley and Paul Smith's College culinary students. Finish up with some great cookies baked by our wonderful VIC volunteers!
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Dion snowshoe demos




Explore the VIC

The Paul Smiths VIC offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year to educate and inform Adirondack Park residents and visitors about the natural wonders of the Adirondack Mountains. You can help support these programs by joining the Friends of the VIC. More information on Friends of the VIC memberships

Explore the Trails

The VIC trails are free and open to the public, from dawn to dusk, spring through fall. In winter, the trails are open to cross-country skiers and snowshoers for a fee. Day or season passes may be purchased.