Destination Guide: Whiteface Mountain

A few highlights for visitors are undoubtedly skiing off the Summit Chair, where you can drop left off Riva Ridge and choose between Skyward and Cloudspin (advanced terrain) or go for a mellow intermediate cruiser run down The Follies or Paron’s Run. Skyward and Cloudspin were the drop-ins for the 1980s downhill and Super G courses–imagine racing down these on straight skis from the '80s.

Another favorite zone is taking a ride up the Lookout Mountain chair and ripping down the 2.5-mile-long blue-rated Wilmington Trail back to the base. Love bump skiing? Take on the 1980s Olympic mogul course right above the Legacy Lodge mid-station. 

Finally, there’s plenty to keep expert skiers entertained in the trees, with a boatload of named glades filled with cliffs, tight tree alleys and other character-building obstacles. Fancy a short hike to some of the wildest terrain on the East Coast? Don’t miss out on the expert-only Slides, a series of above-treeline gullies that offer a skiing experience unlike any other.

What To Do in the Area

Thanks to the rich history of the Adirondacks and the Lake Placid region, there’s plenty to keep you entertained after skiing or on down days. If you’re looking for an exercise-filled day but want to use some different muscles, head to the Mt. Van Hoevenberg (MVH) Olympic Sports Complex, home to over 30 miles of groomed Nordic tracks, an Olympic bobsled track, and an Olympic Training Center for nordic, bobsled, luge, and skeleton athletes.

Down the road from MVH, the Olympic ski jumping complex rises out of the hillside. This one’s worth a visit, if just for the views alone. Finally, there’s the Olympic Ice Center in town, with public skating rinks, arena events, and the Olympic History Museum.

Summer at Whiteface Mountain

While Whiteface Mountain is best known for its skiing, there's plenty to do on the hill and in the surrounding area in the warmer months. While there is currently no lift-access downhill mountain biking on the mountain, Whiteface is currently revamping a large bike park and, in October 2025, will host a UCI World Cup downhill stop.

Mt. Van Hoevenberg is home to loads of world-class cross-country trails, plus dozens of area trailheads offer miles of backcountry riding. Other on-mountain activities include disc golf, gondola rides, and hiking trails.

Drive up the Veterans Memorial Highway on the backside of the mountain to take in the epic views of the surrounding Adirondack Park. The mountains and lakes around Whiteface are also home to hundreds of miles of hiking trails, swimming, boating, rock scrambles and technical rock climbing. 

Finally, don't skip out on fall foliage in the Adirondack Park; this is one of the best places in the world to see the leaves change color in September and October.

When To Go

Weather on the East Coast can be fickle, but one thing is certain: It’s going to be extremely cold at Whiteface most of the winter. Those freezing temps do have an upside, and that is the fact that snow sticks around a lot longer here than in most places.

My favorite time to ski here is mid-February into March, when there’s enough snow on the ground to open to the whole mountain, the days start to become a bit longer, and the temps start to warm up just a hair.

Where To Stay

As a New York State-owned ski area, Whiteface Mountain doesn't offer on-mountain lodging. Instead, find a place to stay in the bustling mountain town of Lake Placid, just a short drive away. Lake Placid offers everything you might need for a ski vacation, with everything from budget digs to internationally acclaimed resort hotels, vacation rental homes, all with an authentic Adirondack flair.

Other great options include the small town of Wilmington (technically closer to the mountain) or Saranac Lake.

How To Get Here and Get Around

Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain are located about five hours north of New York City and Boston and about two hours south of Montreal, Canada. The closest major airport is either Burlington, Vermont, or Albany, New York, both about 90 minutes away. There is a shuttle bus service between Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain, plus local bus service to the Olympic sites.

Where To Eat

Lake Placid is home to some great food, ranging from high-end cuisine at a number of eateries along Main Street, like Generations Tap & Grill, to cozy spots like The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn or delicious pub food and great local beer at the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery. Breakfast can be had at any number of coffee shops and local favorites like Saranac Sourdough and the Downtown Diner.

What To Bring

The variety of terrain found at Whiteface means you can get away with just about any type of all-mountain skis you might want to ride. I’d recommend something in the 100-underfoot range to help get you on edge in firm conditions but still provide some float for ungroomed terrain and off-piste riding.

Much more importantly than stressing over what skis to bring, I’d recommend thinking about your layering. Wear an extra layer or two compared to what you might be used to. It gets cold here, with biting winds and truly arctic temperatures on the upper mountain. Pack an extra buff (or two), wear your warm gloves or mittens, and consider investing in boot heaters.