Whiteface Mountain Near Lake Placid, NY

Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, NY is a well-known peak in the Adirondacks just 13 miles away from Lake Placid! As the fifth-highest mountain in New York State, Whiteface is home to some of the best downhill skiing and snowboarding in the Adirondacks.

Whiteface is known by skiers for having the greatest vertical drop in the eastern United States, and has over 86 trails covering 22 miles of terrain. Skiers will find trails for all levels, from 35 acres of expert extreme adventure terrain called the "Slides", to Learn to Ski Programs for beginners. The trails at Whiteface are easily accessible by 9 chair lifts, a conveyor lift and a Gondola.

At Whiteface, you'll ski the same slopes as Winter Olympic Champions, like American favorite Phil Mahre who won a silver medal during the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics. As a result of its Olympic history and varied terrain, Whiteface attracts thousands of skiers to the Lake Placid area each year.

The Whiteface Mountain region has more to offer than just skiing, though! You can take a ride on the Cloudspitter Gondola from the base of the mountain to the peak of Little Whiteface for spectacular views of Lake Placid. In the summer, besides gondola rides, visitors to Whiteface can enjoy mountain biking and great hiking.

If you want to experience the scenery without hiking or taking the Gondola, you'll be glad to know that Whiteface is the only one of the Adirondack High Peaks with a road up the mountain. The Veteran's Memorial Highway takes you almost to the very top of the for unparalleled views of the Adirondacks.

Photo: Kelsey Gorney