ADK Talks

ADK Taste
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ADK Talks brings you the stories behind the people, places, and things to do in the Adirondack Park of New York State. With 6 million acres, the Adirondacks are the ultimate playground.We take you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of one of America's most breathtaking regions. Just like we do on our website, adktaste.com, our podcast uncovers the hidden gems of the Adirondacks, offering hand-picked recommendations for the best places to stay, eat, shop and do in the Adirondack Park.But this isn't just about places. It's about the people who make the Adirondacks so special and unique. In each episode, we talk to people from all walks of life—restauranteurs, farmers, innkeepers, historians, artists, local leaders, writers, hikers, and more. Hear real stories about what they do, their passions, and how they found their way here.And they'll share their insider tips on the best things to see and do in the Adirondacks – insights you won't find anywhere else.So subscribe now to ADK Talks to get real stories from real people, sharing the real Adirondacks.You can also visit us online at adktaste.com.

  1. 4D AGO

    Kitchen Confidential (ADK Edition) with Chef Billy Trudsoe

    What’s really happening behind the kitchen doors of an Adirondack restaurant in the dead of winter? In this episode of ADK Talks, we welcome back Chef Billy Trudsoe of Lizzie Keays in Warrensburg for an honest, energetic, and eye-opening conversation about restaurant life in the Adirondacks. We jokingly dubbed this one “Kitchen Confidential: Adirondack Edition,” and Billy delivers. From skeleton crews and shoulder seasons to garlic loyalty and watermelon obsessions, he pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to survive—and thrive—as a chef and small business owner just minutes off the Northway. We also dive into his global travels (hello, Bali), his ever-expanding “Mad Flavor” brand, restaurant collaborations across the region, and why supporting local businesses isn’t just a slogan—it’s survival. What you’ll hear in this episode What winter really looks like for Adirondack restaurants—and why patience from diners matters  How Billy’s travels to Bali influence dishes like his spicy Bali stir fry  Why old-school dining touches (bread service, palate cleansers, lingering meals) still matter  The economics of seasonal businesses in a summer-driven region  Behind the scenes of the “Battle of the Billy’s” local restaurant challenges  Why garlic is non-negotiable in Billy’s kitchen   Resources: Lizzie Keays Restaurant   Follow Billy Trudsoe on Instagram: @adkchef Season 21 of Hell's Kitchen ft Billy Trudose Email us your restaurant suggestions or questions: info@adktaste.com Produced by NOVA

    42 min

  2. FEB 16

    Winter in the ADKs: Your Questions, Answered

    It’s mailbag time. Jane and Steve tackle your winter questions, from Presidents’ Week ski picks to the Mirror Lake Toboggan chute, smart winter hiking basics, and crowd-dodging ideas across the Park. Along the way: loon parenting truths, BrewSki intel, full-moon ski nights, cardboard sled chaos, and a reminder that a quiet walk on a frozen lake can be the most magical “activity” of all. What you’ll hear in this episode Where to ski Presidents’ Week: big mountains and smaller local hills Mirror Lake Toboggan Chute: the best time to go and what it’s really likeWinter hiking basics that keep small mistakes from becoming big onesEasy ways to try snowshoeing: guided hikes and beginner-friendly optionsNordic skiing picks, from quick lessons to favorite trail systemsLoon family life: shared parenting and one common myth bustedWinter-weekend planning: quieter towns, can’t-miss events, and a full-moon lake walk Resources: ADK Taste: https://www.adktaste.com/Skiing (big mountains)Whiteface Mountain Gore Mountain North Creek Ski Bowl history + winter activities Adirondack Ski Season Outlook 2025–2026 Signature winter thrillLake Placid Toboggan Chute on Mirror Lake Toboggan Chute 2026 Guided snowshoe + winter learning (starter-friendly)Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center Paul Smith’s College VICUp Yonda Farm snowshoe hikes Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb Nordic skiing spots mentionedMt. Van Hoevenberg full-moon series overview Full Moon Ski & Snowshoe Party (Feb 28, 2026) Full Moon Ski & Snowshoe Party (Mar 28, 2026)Garnet Hill Lodge Outdoor Center Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation CenterLoon Zoom series 2026 Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation Quieter winter towns + ideas

    37 min

  3. FEB 9

    Healing the World from the Adirondacks: Dr. Trudeau and the Saranac Laboratory - Amy Catania

    In this episode of ADK Talks, we step inside one of the most important scientific sites you’ve probably never heard of: the tuberculosis laboratory that helped put Saranac Lake on the global medical map. We’re joined by Amy Catania, Executive Director of Historic Saranac Lake, who helps us trace how a small Adirondack village became a worldwide center for healing, research, and compassion at the turn of the 20th century. At a time when tuberculosis was killing one in seven people in industrialized countries, patients, doctors, and researchers from around the world came north chasing fresh air, rest, and hope. What they found reshaped medicine, architecture, and the identity of Saranac Lake itself. What you’ll hear in this episode How tuberculosis, once called “consumption,” spread rapidly during industrialization and why cities like New York were especially deadlyThe remarkable story of Edward Livingston Trudeau, a young New York City doctor who came to the Adirondacks expecting to die and instead helped change modern medicineWhy Saranac Lake became home to what may be the first U.S. laboratory dedicated entirely to tuberculosis researchThe truth behind the “fresh air cure” and how rest, ventilation, and nursing care gave patients their best chance at recoveryCure cottages, cure porches, and how TB literally shaped the architecture of the villageWhy many cure cottages were run by women, and how this became an unexpected economic engine Inside Trudeau’s laboratory: fireproof design, high ceilings, massive windows, and science before electricityThe famous Rabbit Island experiment and how it helped validate the sanatorium model worldwideHow Saranac Lake’s TB years sparked everything from a booming downtown to the origins of the Winter CarnivalThe global reach of the cure, including thousands of patients from Latin America, Europe, and beyondWhat visitors can expect today at the laboratory museum and the exciting expansion into the restored Trudeau home opening in August 2026 Resources: Historic Saranac Lake Website Historic Saranac Lake WikiADKtaste.com article The Pioneering Fight Against Tuberculosis in the AdirondacksEmbracing Winter Magic: The Saranac Lake Winter CarnivalSign Up For Our Newsletter and Visit the ADK Taste’s Website Produced by NOVA

    52 min

  4. FEB 2

    World-Class Art in the Adirondacks: Inside The Hyde Collection - Bryn Schockmel

    What if one of the Northeast’s most remarkable art museums wasn’t in New York City or Boston, but tucked into the foothills of the Adirondacks? In this episode of ADK Talks, we head to Glens Falls, NY to explore The Hyde Collection—an intimate house museum where Old Masters, modern icons, and deeply personal stories live side by side. We’re joined by Bryn Schockmel, Curator of the Permanent Collection and Related Exhibitions, who takes us inside the legacy of founders Louis and Charlotte Hyde and behind the scenes of how world-class art ends up on the walls of a former family home. From Rembrandt, Picasso, and Botticelli to contemporary works and bold new exhibitions, Bryn shares how The Hyde balances honoring its founders’ vision while evolving for today’s audiences. What you’ll hear in this episode: The story of Louis and Charlotte Hyde and how their personal tastes shaped the museumWhy The Hyde feels more like a home than a traditional museumTips for first-time visitors on slowing down and connecting with artBehind-the-scenes logistics of mounting major exhibitionsWhat it’s like to courier a painting overseasUpcoming exhibitions including birds, ceramics, Shaker design, and Scandinavian artA local museum recommendation you won’t want to miss Resources: The Hyde Collection (Glen Falls, NY)Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, MA) National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC)National Museum of Women in the Arts Fenimore Art Museum (Cooperstown, NY) The Clark Art Institute (Williamstown, MA) Vassar College Art Center (Poughkeepsie, NY) Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA) Museum of American Bird Art at Mass AudubonThe Frick Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)Lake Placid Olympic Museum (Lake Placid, NY)Adirondack Experience: The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake in NY Produced by NOVA

    32 min

  5. JAN 19

    Cold Hard Magic: Inside the Making of The Sagamore’s Glacier Ice Bar - Tom Guay

    Winter at The Sagamore Resort is anything but quiet. Each January, the lakeside terrace transforms into a frozen spectacle where 300-pound blocks of ice, chainsaws, blowtorches, and a lot of muscle come together as one of the Adirondacks’ most anticipated winter traditions: the Glacier Ice Bar. In this episode of ADK Talks, we’re joined by Tom Guay, General Manager of The Sagamore, whose career at the resort spans more than two decades and nearly every corner of hotel operations. Tom takes us behind the scenes of the Ice Bar’s creation, from its unlikely beginnings to the finely tuned winter event it is today. What you’ll hear in this episode The long, resilient history of The Sagamore Resort, rebuilt, reimagined, and still standing strong on Green Island since the 1800sHow a quiet winter lull sparked the idea for an ice bar and why the first year exceeded every expectationThe creative process behind the Ice Bar, including yearly themes, life-size sculptures, and why the bar itself is always the starWhat it actually takes to build it all: 300-pound ice blocks, chainsaws, chisels, blowtorches, aluminum plates, and old-fashioned teamworkThe role of chefs and teams from across the Opal Collection, traveling property to property to carve and collaborateWhy the Ice Bar helped reshape winter tourism in the Lake George regionTom’s favorite hidden spots on Lake George, from Paradise Bay to quiet corners only reachable by boat Resources: The Sagamore Resort – Lodging, events, Glacier Ice Bar detailsBolton Landing – Dining, winter events, and village happeningsLake George – The lake that shapes it allLake George Association – Protecting water qualityLake George Land Conservancy – Protecting the land that protects the Lake Produced by NOVA

    30 min

  6. JAN 12

    Second Acts in the Mountains: Inside NewVida Preserve’s Bold Revival

    Rick Vidal left global boardrooms for a forgotten ski mountain and found something much bigger than a renovation project. In this episode of ADK Talks, we head to Jay, New York, to explore the remarkable reinvention of the former Pale Face Ski Area, now reborn as NewVida Preserve. Rick shares the deeply personal story behind buying a long-closed resort, reopening land that had been private for decades, and rebuilding not just buildings, but trust and community. What unfolds is a conversation about second acts, Adirondack resilience, and what it really takes to bring a place back to life without stripping away its soul. What you’ll hear in this episode The surprising history of Pale Face Ski Area, once a family-friendly counterpoint to Whiteface MountainWhat it was like to take ownership of a dormant 2,000-acre property with no maps, no systems, and a literal bucket of keysHow NewVida balances preservation with reinvention, from vintage ski chairs to repurposed runs turned into trailsWhy opening 45 miles of trails to the public was non-negotiableThe challenge of building trust as newcomers and what the Adirondack spirit really looks like in practiceBringing bold, global cuisine to the High Peaks region and raising the bar for dining in the North CountryHosting weddings, retreats, wellness programs, and community events in a former ski lodgeThe uphill climb of attracting investors to the Adirondacks and why regional branding still mattersA friendly ghost story hiding in the old gymRick’s favorite local gem: the growing Hardy Mountain Bike Trails near Wilmington and Jay Places and organizations mentioned NewVida Preserve – Lodging, dining, wellness programs, events, and public trail access in Jay, NYWhiteface MountainJay, New YorkWilmington, New YorkAdirondack Park AgencyAdirondack Park Paranormal SocietyHardy Road Mountain Bike Trails This episode is a reminder that the Adirondacks are still a place for big ideas, careful stewardship, and bold second chances. Whether you come for the views, the trails, the food, or the stories, NewVida Preserve is writing a new chapter on old ground. Resources: Check out the NewVida Preserve website Produced by NOVA

    53 min

  7. JAN 5

    Cold, Wet, and Unprepared: What Really Happens When Winter Hikers Underestimate the Adirondacks

    Winter in the Adirondacks can feel otherworldly. Snow-draped trees, hushed trails, bluebird summit days, and the kind of stillness that only comes when the temperature drops. It can also turn dangerous fast. In this episode of ADK Talks, we welcome back Jeff Berry and Elena Lumby from Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks (SARNAK) for an honest, practical, and sometimes chilling conversation about the realities of winter hiking. From hypothermia and headlamp failures to summit fever and post-holing, Jeff and Elena share real stories from the field and lessons learned the hard way. This episode is essential listening if you are planning winter hikes around MLK Weekend, Presidents’ Day, or anytime snow and cold are part of the equation. What you’ll hear in this episode Why winter hiking is so magical and why it demands respectHow quickly hypothermia can set in, even close to the trailheadWhat “be bold, start cold” actually means in practiceWhy two headlamps are non-negotiable, and phones don’t countThe dangers of sweat, wet clothing, and poor heat managementWhy signing trail registers and sharing trip plans saves livesA true story involving a winter hike, summit fever, and a baby on CascadeHow the 10 Essentials change in winter conditionsSnowshoes, post-holing, and why it’s a ticketable offense in the High PeaksHow to build skills safely through classes, guides, and local resources Resources: Into the Wild: Search and Rescue in the AdirondacksSARNAKHike Safe New YorkMountain ForecastAdirondack Mountain ClubPaul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC)The Mountaineer (Keene Valley)High Peaks Information Center (Mount Jo area)Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC), NewcombUp Yonda Farm Environmental Education CenterWilderness Medical AssociatesREICavu Café (Adirondack Regional Airport, Lake Clear)Left Bank Café (Saranac Lake)Origin Coffee (Saranac Lake)Capisce (Lake Placid) Produced by NOVA

    1h 2m

  8. 12/29/2025

    Powder Days on the Tug Hill Plateau: Why Skiers Love Snow Ridge’s Deep Snow and Indie Spirit

    If you’ve ever chased a storm on your phone and wondered where all that snow actually lands, this episode is for you. Jane and Steve head west of the Blue Line to the Tug Hill Plateau—one of the snowiest corners of the East—and sit down with Snow Ridge co-owner and general manager Nick Mir to talk powder mornings, small-mountain grit, and why “Ice Coast” doesn’t always apply. Nick shares what it’s really like to run a fiercely independent ski area (yes… sometimes it’s unclogging a septic line), how lake-effect bands can bury the hill while it’s bone-dry 10 miles away, and how Snow Ridge balances old-school charm—like the legendary T-bar-served Snow Pocket—with smart upgrades behind the scenes. What you’ll hear in this episode Why Tug Hill can be “nuking” at Snow Ridge while nearby towns stay dryThe unglamorous but essential realities of owning and operating a mom-and-pop ski mountainWhat makes a true powder morning at Snow Ridge so special, from hooting chairlifts to no lift linesRecent improvements, including expanded snowmaking and the return of North ChairBeloved Snow Ridge traditions like torchlight parades, pond skims, and the Christmas Eve food drive Snow Ridge is located in Turin, NY, about 35 minutes from Old Forge—close enough to feel connected to the Adirondack ski scene while offering a distinctly Tug Hill experience. Nick shares tips on nearby lodging, from classic motels to cabin rentals, and why booking early matters during big snow cycles. Resources: Learn more about Snow RidgeSnow Ridge Ski Resort: A Powder Lover’s ParadiseSnow Ridge Spring FestHickory Ski CenterSnowologySnow Ridge Outdoor CollaborativeIndy Pass Produced by NOVA

    46 min
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4.8
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

ADK Talks brings you the stories behind the people, places, and things to do in the Adirondack Park of New York State. With 6 million acres, the Adirondacks are the ultimate playground.We take you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of one of America's most breathtaking regions. Just like we do on our website, adktaste.com, our podcast uncovers the hidden gems of the Adirondacks, offering hand-picked recommendations for the best places to stay, eat, shop and do in the Adirondack Park.But this isn't just about places. It's about the people who make the Adirondacks so special and unique. In each episode, we talk to people from all walks of life—restauranteurs, farmers, innkeepers, historians, artists, local leaders, writers, hikers, and more. Hear real stories about what they do, their passions, and how they found their way here.And they'll share their insider tips on the best things to see and do in the Adirondacks – insights you won't find anywhere else.So subscribe now to ADK Talks to get real stories from real people, sharing the real Adirondacks.You can also visit us online at adktaste.com.

Information

  • Creator
    ADK Taste
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 ADK Talks
  • Show Website
    ADK Talks

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