• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Because the Family that Skis Together, Enjoys Life Together.
  • Home
  • About
    • Awards
    • Featured Author
    • Brand Ambassador
  • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Contact Me

The Brave Ski Mom

Building a new generation of skiers and snowboarders.

  • Skiing
    • Skiing With Kids
    • Ski Racing
    • Learn to Ski
    • Cross Country Skiing
    • Telemark Skiing
    • Snowboarding
  • Ski Resort Reviews
    • United States
      • Alaska
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Idaho
      • Maine
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • Pennsylvania
      • Utah
      • Vermont
      • Washington
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
    • Argentina
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Bulgaria
    • Canada
    • Chile
    • France
    • Finland
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • New Zealand
  • Ski Gear Checklist and Recommendations
    • Equipment and Gear
    • Product Reviews
    • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Hiking
    • Camping
  • Biking
    • Downhill Biking
    • Mountain Biking
    • Road Biking
  • Good Stuff
    • Parenting
    • Health
      • Getting in Shape
    • Reflections

Why My Family Loves to Ski Whiteface, New York

January 18, 2013 by braveskimom

Carving the Groomers © ORDA:Dave Schmidt Whiteface New York
Carving the Groomers © ORDA:Dave Schmidt

brave ski mom logoA Brave Ski Mom interview with James Michaud, a ski dad and editor of New York Ski Magazine.

One resort, you, your family and lots of snow: where are you going? 

In the East, I’d take my family to Whiteface/Lake Placid. I listed both the lift-served mountain and the nearby town because Whiteface isn’t a ski resort per se. It’s a state-owned ski area located in the midst of New York State’s “Forever Wild” Adirondack Mountains – meaning that there can be no hotels or other non-essential resort accoutrements at the base – with a great ski town about ten minutes away.

Why Whiteface? 

My reasons: 3,100 vertical feet of varied terrain, excellent grooming, Olympic pedigree, and no condos or hotels at the bottom to wreck the views.

Whiteface mountain new york lake placid
Welcome to Whiteface © ORDA:Dave Schmidt

What makes Whiteface good for families?

Whiteface has completely separate beginner terrain with dedicated lifts, a brand new lodge, a video security system, and a dedicated parking lot.

whiteface lake placid new york family ski lesson
Family ski lesson. © ORDA:Dave Schmidt

In addition to skiing, there are piles of off-mountain activities in Lake Placid: x-c skiing, dog-sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice hockey, skating, sleigh rides. There’s a ski jump trestle that‘s been converted into a toboggan run. You zoom down an icy chute and shoot 1,000 feet across frozen Mirror Lake.

The town continues to masterfully leverage its hosting of the 1932 and 1980 Olympics. It’s literally everywhere and the public is allowed to interact with this legacy at every turn. The famed Olympic Center in the middle of town (with an indoor ice rink and a 400-meter outdoor speed-skating oval that are both open to the public) is still in full operation and has, ever since the electrifying “Miracle on Ice” three decades ago, become a pilgrimage site for hockey players and fans. At the Olympic Museum, the family can learn the inside story about how this small village hosted two of the most memorable Winter Games ever.

1932 Lake Placid Olympic Opening Ceremony  © ORDA
1932 Lake Placid Olympic Opening Ceremony © ORDA

At the Van Hoevenburg Olympic Sports Complex, a few miles outside of town, you can cross-country ski on 30 miles of groomed trails and then do some target practice at the biathlon shooting range. After watching athletes train on the ski jumps, visitors can also check out the observation deck at the top of the K-120 meter jump (impressive).

For adventurous families, the bobsled run, newly built a decade ago, is unforgettable.

Olympic Jumping Complex Lake Placid © ORDA:Dave Schmidt
Olympic Jumping Complex Lake Placid © ORDA:Dave Schmidt

What would make Whiteface even better for families?

There’s a gap in terrain choices between easy beginner trails (plenty) and double-blues. Families may wish that there were more lower-intermediate runs.

Part of the tradeoff for the anti-resort ambiance (which appeals to me) is that there is no on-mountain lodging – thus, it can be less convenient for families. That said, we do have a favorite place to stay in Lake Placid: the High Peaks Resort.

Lake Placid Village © ORDA:Dave Schmidt
Lake Placid Village © ORDA:Dave Schmidt

What is your favorite Whiteface memory? 

The bobsled run. It’s over in two minutes, but you’ll never forget it.  (And I’ll probably never do it again – it’s pretty terrifying for a wimp like me).

 The Brave Ski Mom Adds…

Whiteface Mountain New York © ORDA
Whiteface Mountain © ORDA

I am a sucker for skiing history and historical ski resorts. Oh yes, and the Olympics, too. Thus Whiteface and Lake Placid are right up my alley. Someday…

Thank you to James for sharing his impressions of the Whiteface and all the fun to be had there. As mentioned above, James edits New York Ski Magazine. He began skiing 10 years ago at the age of 35 and has not looked back. And while he does spend a lot of time skiing in the East, I met him in Utah.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

© 2013 – 2017, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.

Spread the Love (thanks!)

  • Email
  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Related

Filed Under: New York, Ski Resort Reviews, United States Tagged With: Family Skiing, ski resort reviews

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Steph says

    January 18, 2013 at 8:40 am

    Didn’t you freeze? When we lived in upstate NY, Whiteface was notorious for cold & wind! We always stuck with Gore Mt or headed east to Okemo. Glad you had fun. I miss skiing back east but wouldn’t trade Utah snow for anything!

  2. braveskimom says

    January 18, 2013 at 9:46 am

    I didn’t freeze, because I wasn’t there! James Michaud, whom I interviewed, lives in the East, so he’s used to it! Thanks Steph!

Primary Sidebar

2023-2024 Partners

FERA
World Snow Day
FERA

Welcome

I'm Kristen, a western Colorado mom, wife and trail boss in a busy outdoor family. Our family has a passion for skiing and my goal is to provide information to help other families enjoy their skiing adventures. Whether you have tiny toddlers just learning to slide or grown children with whom you're planning a reunion, you're in the right place. Cheers!

Never Miss a Post

Enter your email address to subscribe. You'll receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

FacebookInstagram Pinterest Twitter

Today’s Most Popular Posts

  • No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
    No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
  • Creature Comforts: Good Stuff From CalNaturale
    Creature Comforts: Good Stuff From CalNaturale
  • The Portillo Experience: Tips for Your Best Ski Vacation
    The Portillo Experience: Tips for Your Best Ski Vacation
  • Paka: The Best Base Layers?
    Paka: The Best Base Layers?
  • Behind the Scenes: How Snow is Made
    Behind the Scenes: How Snow is Made
  • Skiing is All About Family for Alpine Coach of the Year Jesse Scott
    Skiing is All About Family for Alpine Coach of the Year Jesse Scott

Categories

Footer

Recent Tweets

My Tweets

Featured In

snowlink world snow day snowkidz
liftopia mtn town learn to ski and snowboard mom trends
Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Affiliate Disclosure · Product Review & Giveaway Policy · Guest Post Policy · Privacy Policy · Login
 

Loading Comments...