You know those trips that just stick with you? The ones you think about in the middle of a mundane workday, wishing you could swap that office chair for a quad chair or gondola and the smell of pine and cold air? For me, lately that trip is skiing Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York.
I visited Lake Placid and skied Whiteface with my family a couple of years ago and it’s been too long.
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The History
Whiteface isn’t just another ski resort; it’s iconic. Tucked away in the stunning Adirondacks, this mountain has a pedigree few others in the East can claim, having hosted the Alpine events for the 1980 Winter Olympics. When you’re standing at the base, looking up at that massive face, you can feel the history and to be clear there are signs of that everywhere. But that’s not why I keep dreaming of going back. It’s the height, the challenge, the trails and the views honestly.
The Greatest Vertical in the East (and the Best Kind of Leg Burn)
We hit Whiteface knowing its reputation: the “Beast of the East.” And trust me, it lives up to the name. This isn’t your average hill. Whiteface Mountain boasts the greatest vertical drop of any lift-served mountain east of the Rockies. We’re talking about over 3,100 feet of vertical descent, a difference you feel in your legs almost immediately.
The four of us are good skiers and have been at it for over a decade now so I wasn’t overly concerned but I was hopeful about finding some excellent conditions and scenery.
My strongest memory of our Whiteface trip revolves around tackling new to us terrain. For me, it was challenging in the best way.
Cloudsplitter Gondola
Catching the Cloudsplitter Gondola up to Little Whiteface, or riding the Summit Quad, rewards you with a panoramic sightline that is truly breathtaking. The gondola ride alone is a kick in the pants.
You’re surrounded by the Adirondack High Peaks—a sea of white and evergreen—with the iconic Mirror Lake and Lake Placid village nestled below. On a clear day, you can even see into Vermont and beyond. It’s a moment where you forget the burning in your quads and just soak in the epic scale of the wilderness.
For a necessary break from the steeps, the intermediate cruisers here are legendary. The Wilmington Trail, which runs for over two miles, is the perfect chance to lay down some huge, fast arcs while taking in the scenery—a great run to ski together as a family.
Black Diamonds
Whiteface doesn’t mess around with its Black Diamonds. When the conditions are right, you can even experience The Slides, the infamous double-black diamond, hike-to, off-piste terrain that offers a truly wild, unbridled challenge. It’s the kind of skiing that demands your full attention, a level of focus that is incredibly rewarding.
Runs like Skyward—dropping almost straight down from the Summit Quad—offer an adrenaline rush and a leg burner that tests your skills from top to bottom. It’s relentless, steep, and magnificent.
Regardless of the run I chose during our visit, I felt exhausted but invigorated, instantly planning my next punishing lap. Whiteface boasts the kind of runs where you need to create a break on a flat halfway down to get your sea legs straight. Or at least I did.
The Perfect Balance: Challenge and Charm
Whiteface can also be great for a young family. While the experts are playing on the steeps of the Summit and Little Whiteface, the beginners have the excellent Bear Den Learning Center, a separate area designed for low-pressure learning. This is important to ensuring everyone, from the seasoned skiers to those still mastering their stops and turns, had an awesome, unforgettable day.
Home of Two Winter Olympics
Lake Placid, located high in the Adirondack Mountains, has been the home of two winter Olympics. What better place to embrace winter and challenge yourself to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, bobsled or simply enjoy the outdoors?
Did you know that Lake Placid also hosted the third ever winter Olympics in 1932?
Where We Stayed
Lake Placid village itself is extremely walkable. Newly renovated, Lake Placid Bay Hotel overlooking the majestic Whiteface Mountain has some of the most spectacular views you can find here. From the hotel, it’s just a short drive to the Main Street, where the restaurants and museums along Mirror Lake beckon tourists. In the winter, on Mirror Lake, you can try out dog sledding before shopping for souvenirs.
Olympic history runs deep in Lake Placid, steeped into every corner, street sign and landmark. I am old enough to remember relatives travelling to Lake Placid shortly after the 1980 winter Olympics and I vaguely recall watching the Olympics on TV as a kid, cheering athletes on, celebrating Miracle on Ice, one of the biggest moments in US sport history.
Finally, you can’t talk about Whiteface Mountain without mentioning the town of Lake Placid. It’s charming, filled with history, and refreshingly authentic. It has that cozy, old-school ski town vibe that reminds you why you fell in love with winter sports in the first place. You grab a hearty meal, talk about the day’s steepest runs, and watch the Olympic ice skaters practice, making the whole trip feel like a pilgrimage to a true winter sports capital.
The Facts:
- 94 trails
- 3 peaks Little Whiteface, Lookout Mountain and Whiteface Summit
- 25 miles
Technically in Wilmington, New York State which was about a 7 hour drive from London, Ontario.
Cashless which is new.
Whiteface Charm
Whiteface is more than just a mountain; it’s a demanding, beautiful, steep family friendly ski destination. It rewarded us with exceptional views, and gave our family a trip I am still talking about. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check the snow report.
