When you mention New York, most people imagine the bright lights and rush of the city; their first thought isn't of fresh air or tall peaks ....WHAT A MISTAKE.
After just a three-day trip to Lake Placid, New York, my entire view of the state shifted from one of Broadway to natural beauty.
Lake Placid, a tiny town of 2,400 people, is located in the Adirondack Mountains and home to two Winter Olympics. Just 15 minutes away, Whiteface Mountain features the East's greatest vertical drop.
Here's a quick recap of our three day experience of what is now one of my favorite destinations in New England.
Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is located in the heart of downtown Lake Placid, overlooking the beautiful Mirror Lake. When the lake freezes over (we went in February, so it was frozen SOLID) you can find an array of activities, from a Toboggan Chute to Dog Sled Rides.
This family-run resort is located in the PERFECT location. A strip of restaurants, as well as the Olympic Rinks & Museum are no more than a five minute walk away. Not to mention the resort's own Generations Tap & Grill is DELICIOUS. Unfortunately, our schedule only allowed for breakfast at Generations, but I can confidently vouch for their menu based off of the mouth-watering , gourmet-yet-affordable breakfast options.
Generations Tap & Grill
What We Ate
Main Street Skillet: Corned Beef Hash, two poached eggs & asparagus finished with green onion hollandaise.
Breakfast Pizza: Pizza of the day featured a Mediterranean flare.
Table Top: House Bavarian waffle topped with Adirondack maple bourbon butter (I went with a side of home fries instead of meat).
Wright Peak: At the time, this dish featured pretzel bread topped with a hazelnut glaze, chocolate sauce and fruit. The current version described on their menu sounds equally as delicious.
Along with their craving-inducing menu, the accommodations themselves were perfect. We made ourselves at home in the Morningside Suite, which features two separate bedrooms, a small kitchenette, two baths and a deck with a breathtaking view.
This suite is IDEAL for a family. I can't stress enough how spacious yet practical the setup is. Unlike the rest of Golden Arrow, room 401 sits on the opposite side of a small indoor strip of stores, known as the Alpine Mall. You can access the room either from the main resort entrance, or via your own, private entrance off Alpine Mall. The room is quiet, clean, and comfortable. If you need just a single takeaway from our experience, think "cozy luxury". The resort & rooms are sophisticated with a cabin-esque vibe and make for the perfect getaway for families, couples, and friends alike.
The Lake Placid Village itself is extremely small and, aside from a grocery store and pharmacy, pretty much everything you need is within walking distance from Golden Arrow. The vibe of the town (in February) is Winter WONDERLAND. Christmas decorations remain alongside the roads, the small strip of family-owned restaurants are lined with warm holiday-esque lighting, kids run straight off the bus to any kind of winter activity you can imagine, and snow-happy dogs literally walk themselves (no joke, we saw a dog walking himself...leash in mouth...) along the quaint main street.
Although I can't specifically pinpoint it, there truly is something magical about Lake Placid. I can't tell if it's the awe of the fluorescent sunrises against Mirror Lake, or the welcoming smiles of the local business owners, but I was sad when day two rolled around, only because I knew we had to leave the next afternoon.
As mentioned above, Whiteface Mountain is located just 15 minutes away from Golden Arrow. The Resort offers a shuttle to-and-from the mountain, however, we opted to drive ourselves and explore the BEAUTIFUL backroads. Your 15 minute drive takes place on a single road. A strong, partially frozen river follows the majority of the road through each curve of the mountainside, and the resulting contrast of water & ice against Fir and Cedar trees is breathtaking.
As you near Whiteface you'll begin to see the outline of the snow-covered trails. If you're anything like us, this simple sight is exhilarating; the next five minutes feel like an hour of anxiously awaiting the slopes.
Although Whiteface is known as one of the most difficult mountains in New England, the home of the 1980 Winter Olympics is drastically overlooked when it comes to family-friendly activities.
While Whiteface does in fact have some SERIOUSLY difficult trails (I'm talking head in the clouds...literally...at unreal angles of decline), the mountain also offers an array of family-friendly paths. In fact, 43% of their trails are Intermediate and another 20% are labeled Beginner.
Whether you're looking to push your limits or plan a relaxing weekend with the little ones, Whiteface has what you need.
If you're more interested in the views than actually skiing/snowboarding, do NOT pass up the Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride. This 8-person work of art protects you from the wind/outside conditions while enabling you to take in the awe-worthy views of the mountains surrounding you.
Although Whiteface Mountain itself served as the primary location for the 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid is also home to multiple Olympic Sites, such as the Olympic Sports Complex and Olympic Jumping Complex.
A five minute walk from Golden Arrow, the Olympic Center features the Lake Placid Olympic Museum as well as Lake Placid Figure Skating. You can take a tour through the center, in which you'll find a multitude of impeccably maintained rinks and an intimate museum with them most dedicated, proud employees you'll ever meet. Regardless of your interest or knowledge of the Olympics, I highly suggest visiting the Olympic Center; it is part of what makes Lake Placid, Lake Placid.
Need a more precise breakdown? Lake Placid, Whiteface Mountain & Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort are...
Beautiful. Inviting. Warm. Historical. Natural. Fun. Family-oriented. Exhilarating.
& most importantly, a breath of fresh air.