35 km
Ski Resorts > North America > United States > New York > Adirondack Mountains > Lake Placid/Whiteface
371 m - 1336 m
closed »
closed »
Test report Lake Placid/Whiteface
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Lake Placid/Whiteface
Total result: 3.7 out of 5 stars
Test Lake Placid/Whiteface
The review Lake Placid/Whiteface was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Lake Placid/Whiteface
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Whiteface ski resort boasts the East’s greatest vertical drop and is one of the largest ski resorts in New England.
Runs/slopes
Altitude difference
965 m (Valley 371 m - Mountain 1336 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
10
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 2 ← 1
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 2 ← 1
Photos
Runs of all levels of difficulty are located between Little Whiteface Peak, Whiteface Peak and Lookout Mountain. Most of the slopes wind through the forest down to the valley. The gladed runs also offer a lot of variety. Whiteface ski resort has the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies.
Runs/slopes
Total 35 km
Easy
7 km
(20 %)Intermediate
15 km
(43 %)Difficult
13 km
(37 %)
Longest run
3 km
Run location
under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
There is one state of the art gondola up to the Little Whiteface Peak. A high speed detachable quad also leads up to mid-mountain. The other ski lifts are slow double, triple and quad chairs.
Number of ski lifts
10
Total capacity
14200 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
12.3 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
1
9
Additional
1
Photos
Nearly the whole ski area can be covered with artificial snow and so the season usually goes from late November until the beginning of April. The gladed runs are dependent on natural snow.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
250 Snow canons
98 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is always open when ski resort is open; without the valley run, ski operation is not possible.
Season 2009/2010
120 Days open
120 Days when valley run open
120 Days when valley run open
Photos
The slope preparation is excellent.
They place a high value on consistently perfect slopes.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Photos
Further evaluation criteria
The nearest highway is approx. 40 km (25 miles) from the ski area. The parking lots at the valley stations are free of charge, except the premier lot, Slopeside Parking which costs $15/day (weekends) and $12/day (during the week) - but then you are right next to the slope.
Access via Highway 87, Exit Westport 9N
- Bunny Hutch Triple (Wilmington, NY), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 45 km · approx. 43 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Stone parking lot, free of charge
- Cloudsplitter Gondola (Wilmington, NY), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 46 km · approx. 43 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
Access via Highway 87, Exit Keeseville 9N
- Bunny Hutch Triple (Wilmington, NY), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 39 km · approx. 33 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Cloudsplitter Gondola (Wilmington, NY), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 40 km · approx. 33 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the the ski resort well and you can see all the runs. More detailed information about the lifts would be even more helpful.
The trail map depicts the the ski resort well and you can see all the runs. More detailed information about the lifts would be even more helpful.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
At key points in the ski area, there are trail maps and the names of the runs. However, at a lot of intersections, there are no signs and you have to guess which run you are about to enter.
At key points in the ski area, there are trail maps and the names of the runs. However, at a lot of intersections, there are no signs and you have to guess which run you are about to enter.
Photos
As in the most of the US ski resorts, Whiteface Mountain also uses green energy. Unfortunately, in the restaurants most of the food is still served on disposable dishes.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Ski busses
- No scheduled busses
In the Base Lodge, there are some restaurants and Boule´s Bistro is up on the mountain at the mid station. They serve typical American food and drinks. Additionally, there is the Black Bear Café at the Kids Kampus.
5 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Photos
At the resort, it is rather quiet. You can enjoy a drink on the sun terrace or meet up in Lake Placid in the bars or by an open fire for a cozy après ski.
Photos
The nearest accommodations are located in Wilmington and Lake Placid.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are no accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Lake Placid
Distance to ski resort 10-20 km
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Evaluation criteria for special interests
At Whiteface Mountain, the children are cared for at the Kids Kampus as early as 1 year. There are special programmes for families and children. The entire lower section of the ski area is perfect for families and children. There are special family runs and at the Kids Kampus there is also a magic carpet and lots of easy and even very easy runs.
Information for families and children
- Wave ride for children
- Adventure course
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
Special tips for children
-
Kids Kampus
Bringing the family to Whiteface? Make the Kids Kampus your first stop. With nearby parking and one-stop shopping for lift tickets, lessons and rentals, it is easy for everyone in the family to enjoy a great day at the mountain. The Bunny Hutch chair lift connects Kids Kampus to the rest of the mountain, and a shuttle service runs to and from the newly constructed, state-of-the-art Kids Kampus Lodge all day.
Photos
The lower part of the ski area is perfect for beginners. Next to the Base Lodge and the Kids Kampus, there are a lot of beginner's trails. There are also slow skiing zones and even very easy gladed runs.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Special slopes for slower skiers / beginners
- Easy valley run
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
Ski schools on-site
Photos
The advanced skiers and riders will find their runs in the upper part of the ski area. The Sugar Valley Glades and The Slides will also entice the experts.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
- some mogul slopes
- few extremely difficult, steep and unprepared runs (Double Diamonds)
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 35 km
Difficult
13 km
(37 %)Most difficult run
-
Upper + Lower Skyward · Length 1.5 km · Altitude difference 556 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
The snowparks and the boardercross leave no freestyle wish unanswered.
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
- Whiteface Terrain Park
After a trial year, the mountain has decided to keep a park on Broadway. It will be as sick as ever with jibs galore. There are features for all abilities, but it is tailored for intermediate park users. You will find the park located off the top of the Face Lift Quad.
- Whiteface Boardercross
The boardercross is located in the lower part of the ski area at the Bear double chair lift and it leaves no wish unanswered.
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- No halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Wallride
- Boardercross
- Waverides
- Pro Line
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Chill area with music
- No cross-country trails available
The world-class cross-country ski trails are located at the Olympic Sports Complex and range over 50 km of rolling Adirondack terrain. Step into a pair skis or snowshoes, breathe in the fresh, crisp air and follow the meticulously groomed trails through the snowy woods at your own pace.
Photos
Conclusion
Long runs, spectacular scenery and view over the state of New York, large vertical drop
No covered chair lifts
Test Report issued on 2011-03-27
Feedback for the Skiresort.info Team? Please use this form »
Highlights
Highlights
Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa
*****
Luxury Lakefront Lake Placid Hotel
12946 Lake Placid, NY
15 km to ski resort Test report »
Luxury Lakefront Lake Placid Hotel
12946 Lake Placid, NY
15 km to ski resort Test report »
