Ski the Face

Right off the gondola at the top of Little Whiteface there are stunning views of Lake Placid

We’ve had a blast skiing Whiteface this season and wanted to share a few tips and tricks.

I think the Frequent Skier Card is the best deal for most people. The big trick is you have to purchase it before mid-December each year. But it pays for itself so quickly. The card costs $59 and gives you 50% off weekday ski passes and 25% of weekend and holidays. That makes weekdays $65 and weekends $97. If you get a season pass you need to be skiing at least 10 days to break even, which is great if you’re going to be hitting the slopes consistently.

If you’re driving your own vehicle, check the main parking lot first. But if the lots are filling up, drive a little farther over to the Bear Den lots which often have a lot more available parking. I’m always amazed at the people parking so far away from the main lodge and walking, when they could have driven over to Bear Den and parked super close to the Bear Den lodge and lifts. Also, it’s great to drop one person off at the lodge with all the equipment, and then go park.

If you don’t want to drive, or if it’s an unusually busy holiday weekend, take the free shuttle instead of driving. There are tons of convenient bus stops all around Lake Placid, or you can flag down the shuttle from most street corners. The shuttle stops closest to our house are in front of the Town & Country Motor Inn or Placid Bay Hotel, both on Saranac Ave. It’s about a 1-block walk.

Check the Whiteface conditions report online before you leave the house. It updates early every morning with snow conditions, which lifts and trails are open or closes.

If you need to rent gear or get ski tune-ups, it’s often cheaper to rent in town instead of on the mountain. Our favorite spot is Cunningham’s Ski Barn on Main Street across the street from the Olympic Center.