Whiteface
300 acres, 89 runs at Lake Placid. East's greatest vertical drop, 1980 Olympic venue, ORDA-operated.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
21 Nov 2026
Closes
18 Apr 2027
Days open
148
Annual snow
150in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Whiteface Mountain's summit reaches 4,649 feet, dropping 3,430 vertical feet to a base at 1,220 feet across 89 runs spread over 300 acres near Lake Placid, New York. Terrain splits 44 per cent intermediate, 25 per cent advanced, 24 per cent beginner and 7 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 150 inches. Eleven lifts, including five quad chairs and a gondola, serve the mountain alongside three double chairs, one triple chair and two surface lifts.
Whiteface Mountain holds the distinction of offering the greatest vertical drop of any ski area east of the Rocky Mountains, a defining feature that has anchored its reputation since the mountain's Olympic era. Its Lake Placid setting, steeped in Winter Olympics history, gives Whiteface a genuine international profile among American ski resorts.
Construction of a new, larger ski destination began in 1957, and Whiteface Mountain Ski Center officially opened on 25 January 1958, relocating skiing from the original 1948 Marble Mountain site. A first major expansion in 1966 brought the mountain's vertical drop to over 3,200 feet, and a second expansion costing 14.5 million US dollars further prepared Whiteface to host the alpine skiing events, downhill, giant slalom and slalom, at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
In 1981, New York State placed responsibility for maintaining, managing and promoting the Lake Placid Olympic venues under a single organisation, the Olympic Regional Development Authority. Under ORDA management, more than 26 million US dollars was invested in expansion and improvements between 1998 and 2008. Adult daily tickets run from 79 to 109 US dollars.
3,428ft
Vertical
89
Runs
300 acres
Skiable
150in
Annual snow
The Terrain
89 runs across 300 acres skiable
Whiteface offers the biggest vertical in the eastern United States, at 3,430 ft (1,045 m), falling from a 4,650 ft (1,417 m) summit to a base at 1,220 ft (372 m). Its 89 runs cover 300 acres (121 hectares) near Lake Placid in the Adirondacks. Intermediates take 44%, with 25% advanced, 24% beginner and 7% expert. The Cloudsplitter gondola, five quad chairs, three doubles, a triple and two surface lifts spread skiers across the mountain, and the long runs give genuine, leg-burning descents from top to bottom.
Trails from the summit of Little Whiteface, reached by the Cloudsplitter Gondola, are expert only. Skyward is a famously thrilling run, and Cloudsplitter Glades add a challenging line through the trees. Cloudspin was used as the start of the men's downhill at the 1980 Winter Olympics, so you can ski a piece of history. Whiteface suits strong intermediates and advanced skiers who want sustained vertical, and beginners get their own lower mountain terrain. Expect cold and wind on the upper slopes, and dress for it, because the weather can change quickly up high.
Terrain split
89
runs
89 runs across 4 grades
Beginner21 runs · 24%
Intermediate39 runs · 44%
Advanced22 runs · 25%
Expert6 runs · 7%
Time it right
When to visit Whiteface
The 2025-26 season at Whiteface Mountain ran from 28 November 2025 to 19 April 2026, a roughly twenty-week season, among the longest in the Northeast, supported by average annual snowfall of around 150 inches. This substantial season length and snowfall total reflect the mountain's considerable elevation and Adirondack setting.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to the mountain's varied terrain across its full 3,430-foot vertical drop. Whiteface's Olympic heritage and Lake Placid setting draw a genuinely international visitor base alongside strong regional Northeast visitation, supported by the SKI3 season pass shared with fellow ORDA-operated Gore Mountain and Belleayre.
As one of three state-run ski centres under the Olympic Regional Development Authority, Whiteface benefits from coordinated investment and marketing alongside its sister mountains. School holiday periods and the broader Lake Placid tourism calendar bring substantial visitation throughout the season, supported by the village's extensive Olympic-era visitor infrastructure.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and Whiteface's Olympic legacy is not confirmed in available resort information. Since ORDA assumed management in 1981 following the 1980 Winter Olympics, the mountain has continued to build on this international sporting heritage each season. Whiteface's status as the East's greatest vertical drop remains its defining seasonal draw.
Season 2026 - 2027
21 Nov 2026
Opens
18 Apr 2027
Closes
148
Days open
150 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Whiteface
Daily snow reports at Whiteface go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
12 in
Snowiest day
21 Feb 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
85 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Whiteface, and where to stay
Whiteface Mountain sits near Lake Placid, New York, in the Adirondack High Peaks region, with a base elevation of 1,220 feet and a summit at 4,649 feet across a 3,430-foot vertical drop over 300 acres. This setting places the resort within one of the most storied Winter Olympics venues in American history.
Lake Placid, host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, provides extensive lodging, dining and Olympic-heritage attractions within a short drive of the mountain, giving Whiteface a uniquely rich base-area visitor experience. The broader Adirondack High Peaks region surrounds the resort with extensive additional outdoor recreation.
New York State Route 86 provides direct access to the resort from Lake Placid village. Winter driving conditions in this high-elevation Adirondack setting can include substantial snow and ice, and the route is well maintained given its role connecting Lake Placid's Olympic venues. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain itself, though Lake Placid offers local transit options.
Adirondack Regional Airport in Lake Clear, and the more distant Albany International Airport, serve the broader region, with Whiteface's Lake Placid setting drawing visitors willing to travel for its combination of Olympic history and the East's greatest vertical drop.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Whiteface, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Whiteface's ski season?
Whiteface's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 21 through April 18. That window is roughly 148 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in New York, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Whiteface have?
Whiteface lists about 300 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 89 named runs (121 hectares alongside 300 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Whiteface?
Trail grading at Whiteface breaks down roughly as 24% beginner, 44% intermediate, 25% advanced, 7% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Whiteface have?
Whiteface operates 12 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 5 quad chairs, 3 double chairs, 2 surface lifts, 1 gondola, and 1 triple chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Whiteface?
Base elevation at Whiteface is about 1,220 ft (372 m), with the summit around 4,649 ft (1,417 m), giving roughly 3,428 ft (1,045 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Whiteface get each season?
Whiteface averages about 150 inches (381 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Whiteface lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$59 to US$109, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Whiteface before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Whiteface so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Whiteface have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Whiteface. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Whiteface located?
Whiteface sits in New York, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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