Lake Placid Winter Getaway Guide: Where to STAY, EAT and PLAY!

Lake Placid Winter Getaway Guide: Where to STAY, EAT and PLAY

I’m smiling big as I write this – a gals’ trip I almost talked myself out of a mountain’s high many times but one filled with soul-fueling, fear-conquering, unforgettable memories that would sustain me through what prevailed just 3 weeks after returning – when the world came to a standstill and COVID-19 brought travel to a screeching halt.  To say I’m glad I went on this Momcation to Lake Placid, New York is a massive understatement and (finally) sharing this experience (almost 2 years to the day) reminds me of all the reasons I want to go back – once was definitely not enough!

If you’re looking for a destination to embrace winter for a family getaway, couple’s escape or girlfriends’ retreat, the Adirondacks region of Lake Placid will not disappoint.  Scenic mountain views, Olympic heritage spirit running through, award-winning lodging & dining options and opportunities to immerse in the wintry outdoors galore, Lake Placid meets all the fun and frosty marks for an unforgettable winter getaway.  While the region is compact and charming, it’s amenity-rich and bursting with options.  For first-time visitors, here’s how to get the most from your Lake Placid Winter Getaway: Where to STAY, EAT, and PLAY. {Published on AllWays Traveller}

Disclosure: House of Kerrs receives compensation and/or hosted travel experiences to facilitate our family travel reviews.  This post was made in partnership with Lake Placid Tourism and Visit Adirondacks.  As always, our review is based on our authentic experience.  Some links will direct you to our travel booking partners which we may earn a small commission from that we use to keep our family travel content flowing.  View our Disclosure for more information.

Disclaimer: My visit to Lake Placid was pre-COVID 19 times, and experiencing the region in this current travel climate will certainly feel different, and require adherence to health & safety measures put in place. Please consult your country’s latest travel advisories & restrictions (for Canadians, visit HERE), as well as the websites for each resort/hotel/activity center/restaurant for destination-specific protocols, booking requirements and cancellation policies.  Lake Placid-specific travel tips & updates can be found HERE.

How to Get to Lake Placid

For Canadian vacationers, travelling to Lake Placid by car is your best bet and takes just under 6 hours from Toronto.  For US residents, suggested train and plane options can be found HERE.

Where to Stay in Lake Placid

If you’re looking for a lakefront property with touches of luxury that offers an authentic Adirondack experience and is beautifully close to all the bests of Lake Placid, Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa would make an excellent choice.  It’s the only property in Lake Placid that has combined AAA Four Diamond lodging and dining and was voted Top 10 Waterfront Hotels in the Country (USA Today).  The resort is owned by the Weibrecht Family – a friendly clan of skiing experts and winter rec enthusiasts – and has been recognized as “One of the World’s 7 Most Beautiful Lakeside Lodges” (CNN.com).

The interior of Mirror Lake Inn beams with rich history and rustic elegance.  The resort offers 130+ cozy-cabin feel lodging units suited to singles, couples and families, spacious Classic-style rooms to Family Suites, all overlooking Mirror Lake and facing the Adirondack High Peaks. Sliding doors and balconies allow you to bring that fresh mountain air in, while sunken sitting rooms offer opportunities to unwind and reflect after a day spent outdoors.

What really sets this resort apart is having a wide-range of activities for all ages and unique experiences just steps from your cozy quarters, including:

• A large indoor pool and fitness centre
• An in-house European Spa and Salon with a full menu of pampering services (the Custom Facial was fabulous and their use of Skinceuticals products great for those with skin sensitivities like myself)

• A main level lounge with comfy sitting areas, library and fireplace to warm up & unwind with a book or board game. Complimentary tea & freshly baked cookies served late afternoon daily to resort guests.

• The Outdoor Winter Playground on Mirror Lake – bundle up and grab a pair of complimentary snow shoes (first come, first serve) from front desk to go for a scenic trek across the frozen lake or lace-up your skates for a game of outdoor hockey on Mirror Lake or glide across the ODR while soaking in views of the High Peaks (more on this under Where to Play)

• The opportunity to book a unique “Ski with Andrew” experience (exclusive to Mirror Lake Inn guests) where you’ll get to shred the slopes of Whiteface Mountain with Skiing Hall of Famer & 2-Time Olympic Medalist, Andrew Weibrecht. Ski rentals and storage available on-premises.

• The shopping, leisure and dining options doting Main Street (“Olympic Village”) Lake Placid being a stone’s throw from the resort & easy to navigate by foot.

Mirror Lake Inn is for Every One!

Inclusivity matters at Mirror Lake Inn Resort and is demonstrated through its welcoming hospitality vibe for every family dynamic and traveller, including being a fully compliant ADA Accessible facility, designated LGBTQIA2S+ – friendly resort and offering opportunities to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergy-aware guests.

For year-round themed stays and best rate promo packages, go HERE.

Booking.com

Where to Eat in Lake Placid

From casual to fine dining, the Lake Placid region is bursting with fabulous options for every taste and to suite every craving.  Here are some of the best spots to eat during your winter escape to Lake Placid:

The View – Mirror Lake Inn

For a top-notch spot to indulge overlooking Mirror Lake and views of the High Peaks, add The View to your must-try list – Lake Placid’s only long-standing AAA Four-Diamond rated fine dining restaurant.  Using the freshest ingredients from local producers and their own on-site gardens, the rotating breakfast and dinner specials are divine, as are the usual Chef-prepped a la carte selections.

I’ve never had a tastier Eggs Benedict in all my years!  Room service & take-out options are available, as is a Children’s Menu for smaller appetites.  NOTE: a table at The View is one of the most sought after among visitors and locals of Lake Placid and reservations are highly recommended.  Resort casual dress code in effect.

The Cottage – Mirror Lake Inn

For cozy-casual lakeside dining with a hearty menu offering smart twists on pub-style eats, head to The Cottage – a popular hang-out of the locals for après ski just steps from Mirror Lake Inn!  Highly recommend the Warm Brussels Sprout Salad for a starter, the Mushroom and Brie Soup in a Bread Bowl and Spicy Black Bean Burger for mains, and you definitely want to leave room for one of their deliciously decadent desserts – the Coconut Cream Pie and Raspberry Almond Shortbread are sweet dreams for the taste buds!

TIPS: Try to time your dining experience for one of their fun Trivia Nights and reservations are strongly encouraged.  If visiting during warm-weather months, The Cottage has one of the best outdoor waterside dining decks in the region.

Lake Placid Pub & Brewery

If you ask a local where to dine, the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery is a common recommendation.  Celebrating it’s 25^th year of operation, LPPB is a local favourite not only for it’s plentiful, traditional pub-style fare menu (salads, chili, shepherd’s pies, ribs, fish n’ chips etc.) and flagship UBU ale & microbrews, but also its unique 3-tiered setting (elevator-accessible). Each floor offers a different ambiance, like the cozy brewpub vibe surrounding a stone fireplace on the main level, an Irish pub with charm downstairs, and The Hop Loft on the 3^rd level with views of Mirror lake & a kids’ playroom parents will appreciate who want to unwind and dine on a warm meal without interruption!  Families will also love the Brewmaster in Training menu for little ones with options like hot dogs, tenders and pizza.

If visiting during warm-weather months, LPPB offers two outdoor decks overlooking Mirror Lake, as well as a tented beer garden.  Online orders/take-out available, and outside of COVID-19 protocols, LPPB usually offers brewery tours to visitors every Saturday.

Lisa G’s

Another hot spot in the Lake Placid region, Lisa G’s offers American meets international flavours’ fare and an upbeat dining vibe.  Suggested selections: start with the Broiled Feta appetizer, try a mixed platter of their eclectic and wildly popular wing flavours – Greek with creamy feta, Maple Bourbon, Coffee-rubbed, Teriyaki – and definitely one of their savoury pizza pies – the Peach & Bacon zah was unbelievably delish!

Reservations can be made online, take-out is available and the resto also has a Child’s Play menu with your mini’s usual flav-orites: burgers, pasta, chicken tenders and more.

Big Slide Brewery & Public House

Lots of tasty small plate bites coupled with a chill tap house vibe made Big Slide Brewery a great spot to bond and unwind after a full day of adventuring during our Lake Placid getaway.  It’s a bit more secluded from the main area of town, but worth the under 10-minute drive to experience dining alongside an open-view barrel brewery, especially if you’re a fan of world-class craft brews.

You’ll definitely want to sink your teeth into a shared plate of Pretzel Bites – yes, they’re as good as everyone raves – and while the rest of the menu makes it tough to pick just one thing (and get through the titles without a chuckle!), you will not be disappointed if you land on the OK Boomer pizza or Shaved Ribeye Banh-Mi.  Online reservations & orders are available and Big Slide’s Sunday Brunch comes highly recommended by the locals.

Growler’s Grill – Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort

For casual, après ski eats at Whiteface Mountain (*more on that below*), head to Growler’s Grill in the Bear Den Lodge.  Re-fuel with pub-style fare for all foodie preferences, like quesadillas, wings and hearty melts (the CAB salad is verified delish!) with the best mountain views while you dine.  Open for lunch – late afternoon, this is a popular spot for families.

Cloudspin Bar & Grill – Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort

Another après favourite at Whiteface located on the 3^rd floor of main Base Lodge offering eats for all ages and tastes – soups + salads, burgers, wraps & share plates – it’s the Maple Smoke BBQ plates with slope side views that make Cloudspin a meat-lovers’ must-try. Straight from the Whiteface smoker, the slow-cooked beef brisket and hand-pulled pork options are as mouth-watering as they sound!

Outdoor, mountainside dining and pre-order To-Go service available too!  Open morning – early evening.

Note: most establishments offer a fantastic selection of innovative cocktails, local craft beers and spirits as well as spectacular wine menus.  If you wish to enjoy minus the worry of driving afterward you should know Uber & Taxi service after 9 p.m. in the Lake Placid region is very limited and you may want to pre-arrange your return drive ahead of venturing out.

Where to Play – Lake Placid

As host to two previous Winter Olympic Games (1932 & 1980), Lake Placid is characteristically sports culture-rich and ideally decked out with amenities and experiences for all-ages to enjoy the ultimate, gold-medal caliber winter escape.

Here are just some of the fantastic spots to play & explore in Lake Placid and surrounding area:

Classic Outdoor Winter Fun on Mirror Lake

The opportunities to stay active and immerse in the wintry outdoors are endless right on the frozen winter playground of Mirror Lake (only steps from Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa).  Free activities, like ice skating, hockey on the ODR, snow-shoeing, and winter hikes across the lake, to for-fee unique experiences like dog-sledding & the ice-covered Lake Placid Toboggan Chute that hurls riders nearly 1000 feet across the lake from the slippery slide await you.

Ski Whiteface Mountain

A winter getaway to Lake Placid wouldn’t be complete without carving out time to shred down & experience Whiteface Mountain ski resort – host to the alpine skiing events of the 1980 Winter Olympics and site of the highest snowy vertical drop (3400+ feet!) on the East coast for next-level cool factor.

How to Get to Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort

Getting to the ski hills takes about 35 minutes from the Olympic Village and is easy to visit with a convenient and FREE Whiteface Ski Shuttle that has pick up locations in many of Lake Placid’s most popular spots, including Mirror Lake Inn Resort.  Lots of parking (for-fee) is also available at two lots if you choose to drive (TIP: if you’re bringing your own ski gear, drop it off in the unloading zone outside of the main lodge before you park as the lots are a bit of a trek from the registration area).

With 90 trails sprawling across 25 miles and 3 mountains – Whiteface Mountain, Little Whiteface, and Lookout Mountain – you’re in for an unforgettable experience, but definitely have a peek at the Trail Map before you visit to pre-plan your ski-venture.

 

“The Mountain is YOU” ~ Brianna Wiest

 

Skiing in Lake Placid for Beginners

Not a pro skier?  Neither a “Ski Mom” am I.  I have dabbled on the bunny hills with the kids through the years, but my ski level is VERY beginner.  After a bad tumble many years ago, my apprehension to get on the slopes was peaked, but with a top-notch Learn-to-Ski lesson with Brian “Lemon Head” at the Bear Den Lodge Learning Centre, I conquered some fears this trip, built up some ski-skill reserves and learned how to navigate my newly discovered ski vertigo (it’s a thing).  Seriously, take the lessons!  Whiteface has fantastic learn-to-ski programming for kids – adults to help you build your ski confidence.

(TIP: advanced registration required; Lift tickets & ski rentals not included in all packages and should be booked separately in-advance of your visit to Whiteface).

Not to worry if members of your group are more advanced-level skiers.  The resort’s FREE Ski Shuttle will take visitors between the more advanced Main Lodge area and beginner-level Bear Den Lodge area so you can meet up with your crew who go big for après no problem! (*See above on suggested spots to eat*).

Visit the Whiteface Guide for First-Timers for more invaluable information like what to wear/bring and navigate the resort as carefree as possible.  Ski conditions are everchanging – consult the Daily Snow Report for current conditions.

Ride the Gondola at Whiteface

Even if you don’t plan on descending by skis afterward, a ride up Whiteface’s Gondola (North America’s fastest!) is a panoramic mountain view must!  Hop off after the 15-minute ride to the top to take in the fresh mountain-top air and grab some stunning top-down snaps of the resort & Lake Placid area.

For a more advanced-level skiers’ experience of Whiteface, visit my travel pals’ Andrea of Mommy Gearest or Jill of Urban Mommies’ reviews.

Immerse in the Olympic Sites & Activities

Lake Placid is a year-round Olympic heritage oasis, and as 2 x’s host to previous Winter Games, cold-weather enjoyment is where it shines.

Visit the Lake Placid Olympic Center

Just a 15-minute jaunt by foot from Mirror Lake Inn is the Olympic Center, including the immersive Lake Placid Olympic Museum, outdoor Speed Skating Oval Track and Olympic Ice Arenas that hosted both former Winter Games.

Cool-factor: the Olympic ice skating legacy of Lake Placid is accessible to the public at the Olympic Center where visitors can glide along the paths of past Olympians, including outdoors on the oval speed skating track and indoors on the two historic rinks of the Winter Games – 1932 Jack Shea Arena and the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena (home to the golden triumph of figure skating queen Sonja Henie in 1932 and the US hockey history-making “Miracle on Ice” moment of 1980).

Buy Ice Skating Tickets HERE. TIP: I highly recommend booking an arena tour to learn all the historic facts and nitty-gritty Olympics’ details you won’t find roaming freely.

For a full list of Olympic Sites, go HERE. (*NOTE: many Olympic sites are currently undergoing upgrades for the World University Games being held in Lake Placid in 2023.  Access to some sites is limited or restricted).

Candle-Making at Pure Placid

“Claim your calm” with a soy candle-making Airbnb experience at Pure Placid (also the most charming spot to grab gifts and aromatherapy luxuries for the home and body in town!).  Host/Owner Marcy is a beautiful, fun-loving soul who’ll guide your group through a unique full-sensory candle-wicking/creating experience while sharing her passion and back-story on how Pure Placid came to be.

Take a moment to warm up to an enriching experience with the bonus of having a take-away to enjoy upon your return home made with their Purity Promise – an Adirondack-scented candle free from parabens, fillers, additives, phthalates, sulfates, harsh synthetic chemicals, petroleum, dyes, SSLs, and BPAs.

Stroll Main Street – Lake Placid

Roam main street by foot at your leisure, window or in-store shop the quaint boutiques, grab a coffee/treats at an artisan café or catch a flick at the vintage Palace Theatre.

How Many Days to Spend in Lake Placid for a Winter Getaway

While there is certainly more to explore in the amenity-rich Lake Placid area then detailed here, a 5 day/4-night stay in this fabulous region of the Adirondacks felt enriching without being rushed/overloaded and would be a great length of time to spend to immerse in lots of the bests of the area.

Visiting for a weekday stretch (Mon – Thurs) and outside of peak travel/high-season holiday times meant relative ease in accessing activities and less crowded surroundings (NOTE: this was in February 2020, meaning pre-COVID times *see “Note-worthy” for more about that*).  Our gals’ getaway fell right after Presidents’ Day Weekend (USA) & Family Day Weekend (CAN), which was a perfect time to visit!

Note-worthy Before-You-Gos:

• So important I’ll say it twice -my visit to Lake Placid was pre-COVID 19 times, and experiencing the region in this current travel climate will certainly feel different, and require adherence to health & safety measures put in place. Please consult your country’s latest travel advisories & restrictions (for Canadians, visit HERE), as well as the websites for each resort/hotel/activity center/restaurant for destination-specific protocols, booking requirements and cancellation policies.  Lake Placid-specific travel tips & updates can be found HERE.

• While Winter is an ideal time to visit, more than a few locals shared that summer is also a hugely (if not more) popular and enjoyable time to experience Lake Placid. But BOOK EARLY (like now!) –  the lakeside properties especially get scooped up quickly!

• While many attractions and amenities are accessible by foot if you’re staying in the central area of Lake Placid (i.e., Olympic Village), you’ll probably want to have a car to experience the surrounding region to the fullest, and one that handles well in wintery conditions at that. The Chevy Traverse (2020) we got to test drive for the full length of our gals’ getaway from Toronto – Lake Placid was loaded with peace of mind features like the ONSTAR Mobile Vehicle Diagnostic Service, SOS Emergency Dispatch and Wi-Fi for us moms to stay connected to our families while away, and practicality, like ample storage for 4 women’s cargo + ski gear. The Chevy Traverse also held steady through our return road trip home during a snow storm along a challenging stretch of the 401 Highway – exhale! (Chevrolet Canada Partner).

• If you’re a park the car and hop on public transit kind of traveller, the Placid Xprss’ fully accessible buses/trolleys will get you around many of Lake Placid’s most popular spots with ease.

• $avings Tip: you’ll save considerably booking lodging and activity/ski passes during off-peak times and during weekdays over weekends!

Booking.com

What to Pack for Your Lake Placid Winter Getaway:

• Winter-appropriate apparel: wool socks, ski jacket, snow pants, winter boots, toque, weather-proof mittens, thermal under garment leggings and long-sleeve tops, sweatshirts, etc. Not to worry if you forget something essential – Lake Placid is a winter vacationer’s hub with lots of shops to outfit items you may forget (in the shops dotting Olympic Village and those at Whiteface Ski Resort).
• Any winter rec gear you plan to use: alpine/cross-country skis, ice skates, helmets, snow shoes, etc. If cargo space is not on your side, not to stress – all of these items (except skates!) are available either complimentary or for-fee rental on-site at Mirror Lake Inn!
• Sports sunglasses and/or ski goggles.
• Your swimsuits to enjoy the pool at Mirror Lake Inn!
• Your camera & selfie stick for those scenic snaps!
• Your activity, skiing and lodging itinerary and booking reservations.
• If visiting from outside of the USA, your passport!
• Your home-away-from-home comforts, like your favourite toiletries, pillow, blanket, snacks, etc.

If you have any questions about a winter getaway to Lake Placid, drop them below!  As a first-timer, one visit was certainly not enough to take in all the region has to offer I definitely plan to head back with the whole family to experience even more.

If you’re looking for more ideas to pack into your Lake Placid Winter Getaway, visit tourism Lake Placid for more places to explore, dine & unwind, as well as their events listings.  Your mountain reset in Lake Placid is calling, I think you should absolutely go!

Keep well, travel safely,