Skiing at Whiteface (Lake Placid, NY)

Best things to do: ski Whiteface, ice climb, cross-country ski Jack Rabbit trail, snowshoe up to Mount Mackenzie, skate on the speed skating oval, and bobsled/luge at the Verizon Sports Complex.

Quick Tips:

Grocery shopping at Price Chopper - get a store card - makes a huge difference.

Get lift tickets for Whiteface in Canada at Costco for less.

Best Way To Get Around:

Many activities are within walking distance of the condo; however, a car is required.

Best Things Nearby:
Whiteface Mountain, the town of Lake Placid, toboggan run, ice skating, cross-country ski trails, snowshoe trails, bobsled/luge, and ice climbing

Best Things About the Resort:
The condos are huge, with fireplace, Jacuzzi tubs, and sauna (yes, their own). They also have a pull-out couch on the second-floor landing that is really a third bedroom (but not private).

While not new, they are well-kept, and cleanliness was not an issue.

The best thing is how close they are to everything. You can walk a few blocks into the town or many activities like skating rinks, toboggan runs, and cross-country ski trails.

Resort Experience:
This was our second year at this resort. While the resort has minimal services (no pool or central activity centre), they do provide free computer access and, new this year, free wireless high-speed connection at the main office.

The beauty of the place is its walking proximity to outdoor activities. It is one block from Mirror Lake. They had a huge area cleared for skating on the lake (free), and it also has a great toboggan tower (free).

Cross-country skiing is within walking distance (free), and there are a lots of trails within a short drive. The Jack Rabbit trail is popular, with free maps around town. Trails are well-marked.

With the nearby hills, there are lots of terrain choices.

Snowshoe trails require a drive to get to the good stuff. Whiteface for downhill skiing is about a 15-minute drive.

The family really likes skating on the speed-skating oval (free). It is quite beautiful with the mountains in the background.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Fair
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Good
• Service: Good

Day lift tickets cost just over $60US for an adult but you can save money by buying multiple days. Check the web site http://www.killington.com/sections/HTML/pb_kgrh.aspx.

If you have access to a COSTCO, you can buy a day pass for $40Cdn. (good Tuesday-Friday) or $50Cdn. (good Friday-Monday). They are even refundable if you don't end up trading the voucher in for a lift ticket. Prices are lower for kids. NOTE - not all COSTCOs have the winter activity brochure.

Children 7 and under ski free.

There is a good variety of runs on the hill. The runs from the summit quad provide a little more steepness. There are a few glades, but there wasn't enough snow to do them justice when we were there.

They have an awesome bowl to the right of Whiteface Summit, but it rarely gets enough snow to be open.

With a 15-minute drive of town, there is lots of good ice climbing to be had. One of the popular ones (40 to 100 feet) is right on a main road.

Some of the others require a hike or 4-wheel-drive vehicle to get to. I was told that there are 400- to 600-foot sections.

There are a number of outfits in town that will guide you or a group out for a full or half-day. As well, they will rent gear to those experienced. I outfitted myself for $50 for the day.