Whiteface: New York’s Ultimate Ski Mountain in the Adirondacks
Experience the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies at NY ski resort Whiteface Mountain
Photos courtesy of Whiteface Mountain.
Whiteface Mountain is the fifth-tallest mountain in New York State, located just 20 miles from the village of Lake Placid.
Part of the Adirondack’s High Peaks region, Whiteface Ski Resort is known for big-mountain skiing. It is consistently ranked as one of the top ski destinations in the Northeast.
An Olympic legacy in New York’s Adirondack Mountains.
Top ski destination, Whiteface Mountain.
Whiteface and Lake Placid have hosted two Winter Olympics. The ski area first came into being for the 1932 Olympics, the first Winter Olympic games hosted in the U.S.
The ski area was retooled for the 1980 Olympics, Whiteface has seen continuous improvement from N.Y. State’s Olympic Regional Development Authority. ORDA made significant investments in snowmaking and grooming recently. It continues to be a site for training for the U.S. Olympic ski teams.
Today, the ski resort boasts 90+ trails across three peaks. That’s over 25 miles of skiing, folks. For skilled skiers, Whiteface also offers The Slides. Whiteface’s website provides the best description for this terrain;
“A series of steep, narrow chutes, the Slides are open only when Ski Patrol deems them safe.
“This is expert-only terrain—35 acres of in-bounds, off-piste, double-black-diamond wilderness skiing accessible by hiking from the top of the Summit Quad. Once you get there, you’ll be a few hundred feet above Vermont’s tallest mountain and three times as high as the top of the Empire State Building.
“There’s no snowmaking on the Slides, so below, you’ll find some of nature’s finest offerings. But don’t let it get to your head. Skiing the Slides demands skill and concentration. In one area, for example, there’s a frozen waterfall beneath all that snow. Give the Slides the respect they deserve, and they’ll give you the ride of your life.”
This is what skiing in the Northeast is meant to be.
The Slides in their natural glory.
Whiteface Ski Area offers a variety of lessons and programs for skiers of every level.
Those new to skiing shouldn’t be intimidated by the mountain’s size or terrain. Whiteface Ski Resort is an excellent place for novice skiers to improve their skills and experienced skiers to up their game or just find a new way to enjoy winter sports. The ski resort offers the best terrain and programs for skiers at every level, including just learning to ski.
The family-focused Bear Den Mountain is an area dedicated singularly to creating a safe learning environment for all family members at any age. They also offer an Instructor-in-Training program.
The adaptive snowsports program at Whiteface is designed to provide outdoor opportunities in snowsports for individuals of all ages with cognitive and physical disabilities.
Other programs include the 10-week Snowboomer Club for Alpine and Nordic skiers of every stripe aged 50+. Club members are grouped according to skill level.
Visit Whiteface’s website for the most recent information on all programs.
A top-notch ski resort in New York State.
Unsurprisingly, Whiteface has the services and amenities to match its prowess as a first-rate ski destination. There are numerous restaurants and grills placed strategically up and down the mountain, including:
Casual dining with soups, salads, and sandwiches
Al Forno Sicilian Pizza
Burrito Bar
Cloudspin Bar and Grill
Waffle Cabin
Polish Korner
Rentals are available at the Rossignol Experience Centers in the Base Lodge and the Bear Den Lodge. Both offer ski and snowboard rental for every skill level, with more than 1,200 pairs of skis from Rossignol, 200 snowboards from Burton and an additional 150+ pairs of high-performance rental and demo skis.
Visit Whiteface’s website to learn about all the services and amenities available at this extraordinary historical place and the Northeast.
Where to eat, shop, stay and things to do near Whiteface Mountain.
Unique Adirondack gifts and apparel.
Upcoming events in the Tri-Lakes and High Peaks region.
Step back in time with a visit to the John Brown Farm near Lake Placid this holiday season.
Magician Alyx Hilshey brings her acclaimed magical and comedic talents to Lake Placid.
Live music and fun activities for the whole family throughout the village on New Year’s Eve.
Welcome the New Year with a First Day Hike in the Adirondacks. Guided winter adventures for hikers are available across the ADK.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Dar Williams appears at Lake Placid’s Center for the Arts on January 9, 2025
Lake Placid’s Olympic Jumping Complex kicks off the 2025 Aerials World Cup.
Save the date! Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival takes place from January 31 to February 9, 2025.
World-Class Rugby Competition in Saranac Lake