ADK Talks
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.
ADK Talks
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 1800s
- How a quiet winter lull sparked the idea for an ice bar and why the first year exceeded every expectation
- The creative process behind the Ice Bar, including yearly themes, life-size sculptures, and why the bar itself is always the star
- What it actually takes to build it all: 300-pound ice blocks, chainsaws, chisels, blowtorches, aluminum plates, and old-fashioned teamwork
- The role of chefs and teams from across the Opal Collection, traveling property to property to carve and collaborate
- Why the Ice Bar helped reshape winter tourism in the Lake George region
- Tom’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 details
- Bolton Landing – Dining, winter events, and village happenings
- Lake George – The lake that shapes it all
- Lake George Association – Protecting water quality
- Lake George Land Conservancy – Protecting the land that protects the Lake
Produced by NOVA