Travel to Whiteface Mountain with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Two-time host of the Winter Olympics, Whiteface Mountain- Lake Placid ski resort, built around two Adirondack lakes in the northeast of New York state, overlooks a vast valley of forests and lakes, and possesses some spectacular views. It also boasts a huge vertical drop.

The closest town to the resort is Wilmington; however, there are more facilities at Lake Placid, which boasts a variety of ski and other retail outlets as well as its famed ice arena.

Whiteface Mountain has 73 intermediate to expert runs from the top of the mountain. Eleven lifts, with an uplift capacity of over 13,000 people per hour, provide access to all the slopes - the longest of which is four kilometres. For novices, there is a large selection of beginner slopes reached by high-speed quad. Snowboarders can use all the pistes and have their own terrain park and a 140-metre super-pipe.

The ski season at Whiteface Mountain runs from November to April. Teens and those between 64 and 69 years receive discounts, while children under six and adults over seventy get to ski for free. The easiest way to get to Whiteface is to fly to nearby Adirondack Airport and transfer by shuttle or taxi to Lake Placid or the resort itself.

Skiing in Whiteface Mountain

Whiteface Mountain ski resort caters for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Its 72 runs are accessible via 11 lifts and are divided into 20 per cent for beginners, 39 per cent for intermediates, and 41 per cent for advanced skiers.

Snowboarders have the terrain park, with a 140-metre super-pipe; while for cross-country skiers, there is a competition cross-country trail system with 50kms of winding terrain. There is also a superb terrain park, which was the site of the 2000 Goodwill Games.

Wilmington is the closest town to Whiteface Mountain ski resort, but Lake Placid, a charming town boasting a busy thoroughfare with an array of shops and services, serves as the resort’s hub. There are over 2,000 rooms within 15kms of the resort, mostly in bed-and-breakfasts or hotels. Childcare is available for toddlers between one and six years.

The ski season at Whiteface Mountain runs from November to April. The best snow conditions are from early February to March, though snow cannons cover 95 per cent of the terrain in case a top-up is needed. The easiest way to get to Whiteface Mountain ski resort is to fly to Adirondack Airport, transfer to Lake Placid by taxi or bus, and then take the free taxi to the resort. Shuttles run in both directions.

Après-ski in Whiteface Mountain

Other outdoor activities at Whiteface Mountain include: the Verizon Sports Complex, with bobsled and luge runs (10kms southeast); the MacKenzie-Intervale Ski Jumping Complex; dog-sledding; ice-skating (indoor and outdoor); snowmobiling; tobogganing; snowshoeing; and tubing. Indoor facilities include: gyms, saunas and spas.

Accommodation ranges from bed–and-breakfasts through to four-star luxury hotels. With about 2,000 rooms within a 15-kilometre radius of Whiteface Mountain, there are plenty of options, though most of the accommodation is located in Lake Placid. The base lodge at Whiteface provides most of the après-ski action; additionally, there are plenty of eateries, bars and nightclubs in Lake Placid.

For a change from the slopes, you can go ice-skating at Lake Placid’s Ice Arena or visit the Olympic Museum, which tells the story of the 1932 and 1980 Lake Placid Winter Games.

Alternatively, go for some retail therapy in the shops that line Main street or visit Burlington, one of the hippest arts towns in America, located on the eastern shore of Lake Chamberlain. Take a stroll down Church street to see boutiques, sidewalk cafés, street entertainers and historic architecture.

Transportation in Whiteface Mountain

Whiteface Mountain is only directly accessible by road and is 470kms north of New York and about 15kms from Lake Placid. Driving here is relatively straightforward, but the easiest option is to fly to Adirondack Airport and take a shuttle transfer. Another option is to take a train to Westport and then catch a shuttle.

If travelling by road from New York, take the Palisades Interstate Parkway and then I-87 to exit 30, from where routes 9, 12 and 431 go to Whiteface (470kms; six hours). From Montreal, follow autoroute 15 (south) to the US border, where I-87 continues south to exit 34, and routes 9 and 431 head west to the resort (170kms; two hours). Boston is 435kms away along I-93, I-89, I-87 and route 9.

Westport, 60kms from Whiteface, is on the New York City-Montreal train line. Amtrak trains leave New York’s Penn station at 08:15 and arrive at Westport at 13:55. From Montréal, the train leaves at 09:50 and arrives at Westport at 13:40. A shuttle runs from the train station to the resort.

The nearest airport to Whiteface Mountain ski resort is at Lake Placid, but it is only suitable for light aircraft. Adirondack Regional Airport, about 40kms from Whiteface Mountain, is regularly served by Continental Commuter Service. From the airport, you can catch a taxi or a bus (numbers 55, 18, 48, 18A and 431) to the resort. Free shuttle buses run between the resort and Lake Placid.

A daily Greyhound Lines bus also leaves for Lake Placid from New York at 10:30, arriving at 17:50.

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