Apres Ski in Whiteface
Whiteface Village
Whiteface’s village is the nearby Olympic town of Lake Placid. While there is no ski in, ski out lodging at Whiteface itself, Lake Placid offers a bustling main street lined with shops, restaurants and hotels and is a great alternative for those skiing at Whiteface.Lake Placid, host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, is one of the Northeast’s great winter destinations. With so much Olympic heritage, there’s never a shortage of things to see or do. The town actually sits on the shores of Mirror Lake, not adjoining Lake Placid. Most of the action is spread along one main thoroughfare, Main Street and Mirror Lake Drive. The shops, restaurants and Olympic Ice Rink are all within walking distance of most downtown Lake Placid hotels.
Visitors should be advised that experiencing the greater Whiteface-Lake Placid region without a car is difficult. There is no slope-side lodging and few, if any, of the hotels in the village of Lake Placid offer a shuttle service to Whiteface Mountain, which is located about 10-15 minutes from the downtown. Additionally, many of the Olympic venues like the bobsled run, ski jump, and cross country ski venue are spread throughout the region, requring a car to reach.
Lastly, while Lake Placid may be most famous for its role in winter sports history, in many respects, Lake Placid is still a summer lake town. Most restaurants and hotels will be open in the winter, but some are not.
Whiteface Mountain Tourist Information
5021 NYS Route 86
Wilmington, NY
Tel: +1 518-946-2223
Coca Cola Snow Phone 877 SKIFACE
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.whiteface.com
Whiteface Restaurants and Bars
Without a village at Whiteface Mountain, Main Street in Lake Placid is the hub of the apres-ski activity.Whiteface-Lake Placid Apres-Ski
Apres-ski at Whiteface is limited to the Cloudspin Lounge and J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Café & Wine Bar, but both bars close shortly after the lifts close, so don’t expect too much in the way of an apres-ski party. Head to Lake Placid village for a wide assortment of apres ski bars.
Downtown Lake Placid is dotted with bars and restaurants, many of which offer apres-ski specials. The best option for nightlife in the village is Zig Zags on Main Street. Don’t worry, you won’t have a hard time finding it – it’s the one with the bobsled full of rowdy tourists parked out front.
Whiteface-Lake Placid Restaurants
The region’s best restaurants and bars are found in the village of the Lake Placid along Main Street. From world class cuisine at renowned hotels to a burger and fries, Lake Placid has something for everyone.
The Great Adirondack Steak & Seafood restaurant located on Main Street has an on-site microbrewery. It offers a wide selection of handcrafted beers which are also available for takeout in 2-Liter Growlers. The traditional American fare is good but service can be slow. Be sure buy one of their pint glasses. We like the glass with the Whiteface trail map and a quote from Humphrey Bogart, “The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind.” Well said.
The Moose Lodge Boathouse Restaurant at the Whiteface Club Resort is also recommended for great views and equally good food.
If you’re looking for a AAA Four-Diamond meal, head to The View restaurant at the Mirror Lake Inn.
Whiteface Activities
Whiteface has the best off-mountain activities of any resort in the Eastern United States. From bobsledding to cross country, the Whiteface-Lake Placid region is a winter sports hub without equal.If you’ve ever watched the Olympics and dreamed of the thrill sliding down an icy track in a bobsled, luge, or skeleton, the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex can make those dreams a reality. Before you know it, you’ll be crouched behind a veteran bobsled driver, careening down the slick course defying gravity and pumping your adrenaline to speeds exceeding 60 miles per hour. And after the bobsled, be sure to try the two-man luge, or the skeleton, a dare devil face-first freefall with your chin and nose only inches above the ice track.
And if there’s still time at the Olympic Sports Complex, click into a pair of cross country skis or snowshoes and try the Olympic cross-country course. There is also the opportunity to put some targets in your crosshairs at the biathlon shooting range,. For all of these activities, reservations are highly recommended as the availability is limited and can fill up quickly, particularly during peak periods. Be sure to check the schedules and plan in advance.
In the town of Lake Placid, take a lap at the Olympic Center on the outdoor speed-skating oval where Eric Hayden won 5 gold medals in 1980. Then drop into the adjacent Winter Olympic Museum to view some of the historic moments from the 1932 and 1980 Olympics, including a chance to see or skate on the rink which hosted the famous “Miracle on Ice.”
Olympic Sports Complex
220 Bob Run
Rt. 73 Lake Placid, NY 12946
Tel: +1 518 523 4436
Email: [email protected]
Cross Country Biathlon Center
220 Bob Run
Rt. 73 Lake Placid, NY 12946
Tel: +1 518 523 2811
Email: [email protected]
Olympic Jumping Complex
52 Ski Jump Lane
5486 Cascade Rd.
Lake Placid, NY 12946
Tel: +1 518 523 2202
Email:[email protected]
Olympic Center
2634 Main St.
Lake Placid, NY 12946
Tel: +1 800 462 6236 / 518 523 1655
Email: [email protected]
Lake Placid Olympic Museum
2634 Main St.
Lake Placid, NY 12946
Tel: +1 518 302 5377
Email: [email protected]
Olympic Center Box Office
2634 Main Street
Lake Placid, NY 12946
Tel: +1 518-523-3330
Box Office Hours:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.