Ah, lakes, mountains, blue sky, and gorgeous views of nature… This drive, and view, remains one of my favorite things to do in Lake Placid. We rank it much better than the gondola ride (which only takes you to Little Whiteface). It is for nature lovers but can accommodate those that aren't avid hikers as you can drive to the top, the only Adirondack High Peak (fifth highest, 4,867 feet) accessible by car.

 

When arriving, you turn onto the Veteran's Memorial Highway and pay a fee (I think it was $3/person). Then you begin a 5-mile ascent to the "castle." There are many pullouts along the way if you want a peek at the view. At the summit, park and let your eyes take in the splendor.

 

You arrive at a two-story stone castle where you can find a cafeteria, gift shop, and restrooms. The views are nice here. For those who can't go farther, it's still worth the trip, but for most, your destination is the true summit. You have a choice - follow a path through a tunnel to an elevator to the top or take a short one-fifth-mile staircase hike up. Mind you, it isn't named "Stairway" for nothing: be prepared for a climb. My mother came with us on this trip, so we opted for the elevator up and the trail down. That was suitable for many. Those not able to handle a moderate climb/descent should opt for the elevator both ways. Those athletic types would enjoy the hike.

 

At the top, there are no trees (naturally barren), so the views are awesome. On a clear day, one can see Canada, Vermont, Lake Champlain, Lake Placid, and the vast Adirondacks. If you timed it when the trees turned, the view would be even more outstanding, but expect a crowd.

 

Feel free to explore. Walk out onto the rocks and look down; you can see people who chose the gondola ride looking up at you from Little Whiteface. They are far, far below - you'll need binoculars to see them well. Binoculars can also help you see boats on Lake Champlain.

 

There are signs posted telling folks about the history and flora that abound. On the day we visited, there was also a park ranger (or volunteer?) answering many questions.

 

People ask me to compare it to the mountains of the West. You can't. The Rockies, Tetons, etc., offer higher mountains with a totally "different" look to them than the Adirondacks. The Adirondacks are green, vibrant, and lovely. The height difference is masked by perspective, so one can't really "see" the large/small difference, but the terrain certainly varies. If you can, see both. They both are a pleasure to us nature lovers.

 

 

The (open-to-the-public) gondola ride at Whiteface Mountain is a little misnamed - it doesn't really take you to the top of Whiteface, but rather, it takes you to the summit of Little Whiteface, right next to Whiteface, but well below it. It is an enclosed gondola, and one gets nice views of some of the Adirondack Mountains. In the fall, when leaves are changing, the view would be gorgeous. At the top of the gondola, you get off to explore the summit, which is a very short hike away. There are also lookout platforms on both sides of the mountain. Above you, you can see the castle on top of whiteface, and yes, those are tiny people up there looking back at you.

In the "old" days, one could take a chairlift to the same summit - that is no longer an option - and some of us don't really care for the change. The chairlift took you directly over one of the ski trails, letting the mind wander about the types of people who would strap on skis to attempt the descent in the winter. The gondola takes you through the woods, not over a ski trail. The trails are seen in the distance, but without the same "wow" factor. The gondola is also enclosed where the chairlift allowed you to feel the breeze.

However, that said, this ride is good for some folks, so it is listed as recommended even though we will not do it again. If you want a nice view of the mountains but can't take your vehicle up the drive to Whiteface (proper) or simply prefer a nice hour on a gondola, this is for you. It is a little pricey in our opinion, hence not highly recommended.

We went there during the week and in the middle of the day - there was no line at all - however, parking can be an issue. You may have to walk about a quarter mile to get to the entrance. There is handicapped parking closer. I'm told that the lines can be very long in the fall, especially on weekends, so go early.

If you have a choice between the drive up Whiteface and the gondola, we'd recommend the drive - we much preferred it now that our chairlift is gone... the view is better and the "hike" is more fun. If you're not into driving up mountains or just want a leisurely ride up to see a view, then the gondola might be a better choice for you.

A stunning view during any season. If you're not for skiing or mountain biking, just ride the enclosed lift up to the summit. Your breath will be taken away. In addition to the view, you can appreciate the endeavors of WWII veterans who laid an Italian boulder at the top of this mountain.

Adventurers can rent bikes and ride down the trails. Lessons are included.