January 01, 2025

Get off the sidewalk and onto the slopes

It’s no fun being cooped up in a busy city during the winter months, especially when the mountains are calling your name! In Lake Placid, bustling ski slopes offer days of endless fun, coupled with vibrant breweries, luxurious après-living, and, of course, Olympic history at every turn. Whiteface Mountain offers the best skiing and snowboarding in the East, along with ample opportunity for indulgent lodging just steps away in Lake Placid, making for the perfect long weekend. The region has perfected the art of the winter getaway; all that’s missing is you!

Day One

Morning/travel

Take your time and enjoy the scenery on your way in. Start your morning by getting here first! Whether you’re arriving by plane or car, you’ll be in for a snowy treat as you make your trek. The scenery here is stunning, to say the least. Our High Peaks are adorned with blankets of heavy snow and ice, making for spectacular views that will make your travel time fly by.

Afternoon/arrival - Have an Olympic experience

After you’ve set your bags down and checked into your stay, check out the Olympic Legacy Sites that dot the region. You probably caught a glimpse of the Olympic Ski Jumps on your way in. These two behemoths stand tall over the treeline of Lake Placid and offer a way to get up close and personal with Olympic history. Take the elevator to the observation deck and look out across the grounds and to the 360-degree view of the surrounding High Peaks.

Back in town, you’ll have time to check out the Olympic Museum and Olympic Center, where much of the region’s history has been kept in pristine condition. Outside, you’ll find the Speed Skating Oval. Fun and potentially romantic, ice skating is fun and quintessential to a winter vacation. Public skating is offered at the Olympic Center and on the Olympic Speed Skating Oval. Check venue schedules for times.

In the evening

When the sun tucks back behind the mountains, it’s time for a hearty meal. Lake Placid is home to a wide variety of breweries and cozy restaurants, keeping winter adventurers happy and recharged. Choose from Adirondack-style barbecue, farm-to-table, comfort food, and gourmet innovation, to name a few of the delights local chefs lovingly craft. While you dine, it's time to plot out the runs you’ll hit on day two at Whiteface Mountain.

A man and woman toast drinks on a snowy balcony.

Day Two

Skiing in the morning

Start day two early by being first on the gondola on Whiteface Mountain. You’ll want to grab your locker, cubby, or table early in the lodge — being the steepest vertical in the East comes with some popularity! If you get to the lodge and suddenly find yourself without essential gear, head over to the rental center or retail shops to stock up. Although Whiteface Mountain is primed for the most avid thrill seekers, don’t let the double black diamonds deter you. The mountain welcomes every level of skier and snowboarder, with plenty of peaceful greens and blues to glide down. For those just beginning their downhill journey, choose Bear Den Lodge as your base, and let the Cub Carpet take you up the bunny hill to test your skills or sign up for a one-on-one lesson.

Whiteface's plentiful amenities make it so visitors can spend the whole day at the mountain. The main lodge is filled with laid-back bars and lunch spots, perfect for a bite or beverage between runs. The Cloudspin Bar and Grill offers the best in comfort foods and cold brews, perfect for unwinding with your ski boots still on. Prefer to stay cool under all those layers? The outdoor fire pits are waiting just steps away from the gondola, where you can sip on hot cocoa and munch a waffle from the Waffle Cabin.

A woman in a bruins jersey snowboards down a mountain.

Evening - Invent your perfect après

There are so many ways to après-ski in Lake Placid. When you finally peel yourself from Whiteface’s runs, it's time to unwind and relax. Go all in on one great restaurant or get a feel for the wide variety available by strolling Main Street, shopping the boutiques and hopping between bars, enjoying creative cocktails, and snacking on delicious appetizers as you go.

Day three

Morning - Play the day one of two ways: Ski bum or winter luxury

For the ski bum: Head back to the mountain to take a few more turns on your favorite runs or check off the ones you didn't make it to yesterday.

For the luxury traveler: Enjoy a slower morning on Main Street. Head over to The Breakfast Club Etc., for a unique take on brunch. Cast-iron skillet breakfasts filled with all your favorite breakfast foods are paired with your morning drink of choice. Their wide selection of craft mimosas may have you staying a little longer.

Two women walk into a breakfast restaurant.

If your muscles are feeling sore from all that skiing yesterday, book a treatment at one of the spas around the region. Lake Placid is a wellness haven that offers everything you can dream of, from massage therapy to cupping, acupuncture, skin care services, aromatherapy, and so much more. Choose your experience, from indulging at the iconic Whiteface Lodge Spa to sanctuaries and wellness centers just off of Main Street.

Early afternoon

Ski bums: Day two legs will wear out faster, so don't push it. Head back to town and enjoy a bit more après. Have some fun tasting craft beer at local breweries.

Luxury travelers: Grab a coffee or cocoa and take a walk around Mirror Lake or, if the lake is fully frozen, head out onto the lake itself. Mirror Lake transforms into a scene straight out of a Christmas story, with an ice skating rink carved right out of the snow. Looking for a truly unique experience? The toboggan chute is open! Slide down a hill and onto the ice in one of the most Nordic experiences in town. In the distance, you’ll notice dog sled rides taking place, waiting for you to hop on! Weather permitting, a team of dogs and their handler will have you racing along the icy tundra just steps from Main Street. When you start to get cold, head back to land for indoor activities, like candle making at Pure Placid.

A man and woman chat on the ice while carrying toboggan sleds.

Late afternoon/travel

Late afternoon is reserved for your travels leaving Lake Placid (noooo). Of course, take your time heading out. There could be all kinds of little shops you missed during your stay. As you venture out of the Adirondacks, stop and explore our neighboring towns and regions, which are brimming with their own snowy good times.

A look at a mountain from a snowy window.

Until next time

Lake Placid is the quintessential hub for a winter getaway, making it a no-brainer when you’re looking to get out of the city. With prime skiing, a charming downtown, and plenty of opportunities to step into a real-life snow globe, you’ll be planning your winter travel here in no time.