My kids love all things winter—think skiing, sledding, hockey, and skating—and when I looked around where to spend a long weekend, I knew I wanted to head north in New York state for a full-on, snow-filled winter experience. When I discovered The Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, NY, I immediately felt it was perfect for us, thanks to its cozy winter setting, luxurious woodland-inspired decor, and welcoming family atmosphere. The impressive, rustic timber Whiteface Lodge is surrounded by the Adirondack mountains (you can see Whiteface Mountain in the distance), and we found plenty of amenities that kept my crew busy and satisfied their craving for winter fun. Read on to see how our winter wonderland fantasies came true during a blissful three-day stay. (featured photo credit: The Whiteface Lodge)

The Whiteface Lodge

Feel at home in a cabin-style room

Nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Park, a six-million-acre recreation area in upstate New York, Whiteface Lodge is about a 5-hour ride from NJ and a mile outside the village of Lake Placid, home to both the 1932 and 1980 Olympics. As we drove into the driveway leading to the resort, we were impressed by the grand style, accented by the mountains and wooded surroundings. At check-in, the woodland- and forest-inspired decor was unlike anything we’d seen on the East Coast, and we loved that the resort is suite-only, giving families lots of space (some suites sleep up to 12). We brought my parents, so we decided on a three-bedroom, three-bathroom suite to give us plenty of room. All of us were truly amazed by our two-story room that had Adirondack-style furnishings, two cast iron gas fireplaces, a slate floor, wood paneling, custom cabinetry, a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops, two private cedar and mahogany balconies, a washer and dryer, and our favorite feature—the radiant floor heating in all the bathrooms.

Skate the day away

After we got settled, we explored the resort. My kids couldn’t wait to get on the full-size ice skating rink with complimentary ice skates and hockey equipment. I didn’t get on the ice but hung back, watching their intense hockey games from the comfort of the chalet-chic, sheltered lean-tos that felt like a living room outside. I settled into the comfy Adirondack chair, pulled up a cozy blanket, and stayed warm with the blazing fire pit as I watched my kids glide along the rink. In the background, the snow-topped mountains were mesmerizing, and I felt so relaxed just hanging out. When the kids were done, we stopped by the charming equipment hut for steaming cups of cocoa, which instantly heated us up. 

Swim outside in a snowy scene 

Though my kids are fans of ice, they were thrilled to jump into the year-round indoor/outdoor heated pool with a unique swim-through design—they entered from the indoor pool and swam past the heavy, transparent curtains to a steamy outdoor oasis in the chilly 30-degree weather. If they dared to get out, the outdoor pool’s patio was heated, melting any snow or ice and making it safe to walk on. Swimming outside in hot water felt so free, while we looked at the snow-covered trees around us. 

After dinner, we were amped up to try one of the resort’s indoor amenities. One of our favorite parts was the 56-seat surround-sound movie theater that plays three movies daily and offers free popcorn. We watched Cool Runnings, based on the real story of a Jamaican bobsled team—we were in bobsledding spirit after visiting the Olympic Village Museum in Lake Placid and riding the bobsled simulator earlier that day. 

During our stay, we were warmed by the nightly bonfires lit in the courtyard or, depending on the weather, in the clubhouse. We spied all the ingredients to make the most delicious (and complimentary) s’mores, which my family made and, of course, gobbled up. Afterward, we got into a few friendly family competitions in the game room, where there was plenty of entertainment, including billiards, shuffleboard, foosball, board games, and a two-lane bowling alley. My kids loved playing USA vs. USSR foosball after learning about the 1980 Miracle on Ice, when the US beat the Russians for the gold medal in hockey at the rink in Lake Placid. 

Spend time savoring every moment

While we took advantage of the full kitchen and cooked some meals in our room, there are also great dining spots within the resort. Besides the 24-hour in-room dining, the breakfast buffet had delicious pancakes, omelets, and pastries. And enjoying dinner at Kanu is a must—everything we ate was beautifully presented, and the short ribs and scallops were our favorites. They also have an excellent children’s menu with all kid-friendly favorites, mocktails, grilled steak, salmon, and chicken. After dinner, we stopped at Peak 47, the more casual restaurant serving lunch and dinner across the hall, which had yummy specialty cocktails, TVs to watch a game, and comfy sofas in front of a crackling fire where you can relax and have a drink.

If we had another day or two to enjoy the lodge, my husband and I would have put the kids in some of the scheduled activities like scavenger hunts or Kamp Kanu, the complimentary daytime kids’ program, while we enjoyed The Spa. Even though the Lodge Mud Wrap, the Great Outdoors Facial, or a Deep Tissue Massage were calling our name, we were having too much fun at the other amenities at the resort. I had planned to work out in the well-equipped fitness center with a generous schedule of complimentary fitness classes, but I ended up staying longer in the pool with the kids. We also wanted to explore the property’s snowshoe and cross-country ski trails (next time) and considered Whiteface Mountain for downhill skiing (about a 30-minute drive from the resort). But all of that will have to wait until our next visit. At checkout, my kids were already buzzing about when we could come back, and we were intrigued by the idea of visiting during a different season—summer, for sure. 

FAQs

How much does it cost to stay at the hotel?

The Whiteface Lodge is a luxury resort for all four seasons, and suite rates (starting at $444) vary by season and increase on weekends and holidays. Almost all the on-site resort amenities are included in the price.

What are the dining options?

There are two restaurants at the Lodge—Kanu, a more formal dining experience, and Peak 47, a casual dining spot with a lounge.

What activities can you do at Whiteface Lodge?

During the summer, guests have access to the nearby Canoe Club, Whiteface Lodge’s exclusive Lake Placid beachfront area down the road. The lakeside spot offers complimentary canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and paddle boards for water fun, along with a grill for lunch and ice cream. The resort’s fleet of motorboats is also available, including a deluxe Pontoon boat for cruising and a Ski Nautique for tubing, water skiing, or wakeboarding.

Visit Whiteface Lodge through their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Whiteface Lodge 
7 Whiteface Inn Lane
Lake Placid, NY 12946

Thanks to The Whiteface Lodge for hosting our stay and experience. 

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