This Olympic-Grade Ski Mountain Just Minutes From Lake Placid Is One Of The Cheapest In The Country — & It Has The Highest Vertical In The East

From the glitzy peaks of Colorado to the powder stashes of Utah, the U.S. is home to some of the world’s most famous ski resorts. But as interest in winter sports surges–with searches for “ski holidays” up 10% this year–the price of hitting the slopes is reaching new heights. If you’re looking to trade the wallet-draining prices of the West for a “best-value” getaway closer to home, look no further than the Adirondacks. Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid was recently ranked as the #3 best-value ski resort in the entire U.S. by Online-Casinos.com, proving you don’t need a private jet budget to ski like an Olympian. Just about a five-hour drive from NYC, Whiteface isn’t just a budget-friendly alternative; it’s a powerhouse mountain that recently swept the Ski Magazine 2026 Reader Survey, ranking as the #3 overall resort in the East. 🏔️ What Makes Whiteface a “Best Value” Gem? ------------------------------------------- To find the best deals in the country, researchers analyzed the ratio between lift pass costs, available mileage, and infrastructure. Whiteface stood out not just for its skiing, but for its affordability off the mountain. While its weekly lift pass sits around $868, its accommodation prices are among the most affordable in the national ranking, averaging $2,970 for a week– a fraction of what you’d pay in luxury western hubs. But don’t fret–”cheap” certainly doesn’t mean “basic.” Here’s what you can expect at the “Olympic Mountain”: * The [Greatest Vertical in the East](https://secretnyc.co/best-ski-town-in-us-2025-lake-placid-ny-usa-today/): with a massive 3,430-foot drop, the challenge here truly never ends * Olympic Pedigree: you can literally ski the same runs used during the 1980 Winter Olympics * A “New” Mountain Experience: a brand-new fixed-grip double chair on Little Whiteface is officially rolling for the 2025/26 season ❄️ Guaranteed Snow & “Winch” Grooming ------------------------------------- If you’re worried about East Coast ice, Whiteface has invested heavily to prove the hesitant wrong. It recently ranked in the Top 10 Snowiest Resorts and Top 10 for Best Grooming in the East by Ski Magazine. The resort’s website notes: > The past two years, the crew had runs open from the summit on opening day. Their secret? A massive fleet of high-tech “PistenBully” snowcats–including a new hybrid diesel-electric model–that use winch technology to perfectly groom even the steepest, most intimidating trails. ⛷️ The Après-Ski Scene: From Poutine to Local Brews --------------------------------------------------- You won’t go hungry in Lake Placid. After a day of 3,000-foot vertical drops, the après-ski scene is legendary: * Cloudspin Bar & Grill: located on the 3rd floor of the Base Lodge, this is the spot for “Wilderness Wings,” poutine, and local cold brews * The Hungry Trout & HT Tavern: just minutes from the mountain, offering everything from refined Duck A L’Orange to casual burgers and mac & cheese * Big Slide Brewery: a Lake Placid staple for wood-fired pizzas and 10 house beers on tap * Smoke Signals: must-visit BBQ on Main Street for ribs and brisket that will warm your soul 🧣 What New Yorkers Need to Know Before They Go ---------------------------------------------- If you’re planning a winter escape from the city, here’s the “pro-tip” breakdown: * Season Pass Perks: if you have a SKI3 Full Season Pass, you now get 50% off lift tickets at 27 Mountain Collective resorts worldwide * Check the “Slides”: when conditions allow, “The Slides” offer some of the most intense wilderness skiing in North America (for experts only!) * Stay in Wilmington for Savings: while Lake Placid is the famous hub, staying in Wilmington (right at the base of the mountain) at spots like the Hungry Trout Resort or Ledge Rock can save you even more 🏙️ Beyond the Slopes: A Winter Playground ----------------------------------------- Lake Placid is a two-time Winter Olympic host, meaning the town is a total winter wonderland: * Mirror Lake: walk, skate, or take a dog sled ride across the frozen lake in the center of town * Olympic Center: tour the “Miracle on Ice” arena or try the Olympic Bobsled Run at Mt. Van Hoevenberg * Cloudsplitter Gondola: not a skier? You can still take the gondola to the summit of Little Whiteface for breathtaking views of the High Peaks and Lake Champlain 🗺️ How to Get There From NYC ---------------------------- Reaching Lake Placid is one of the most scenic road trips in the Northeast. * 🚙 By Car: the drive is roughly 5 hours via I-87 North (The Northway). It’s a straight shot through the Catskills and into the heart of the Adirondacks * 🚆 By Train & Bus: take Amtrak from Moynihan Train Hall to Albany or Westport. From there, you can connect via Trailways bus or a shuttle directly into Lake Placid * ✈️ By Plane: you can fly from JFK directly into Adirondack Regional Airport (SLK) in Saranac Lake, which is just a 20-minute drive from the mountain Learn more about Whiteface Mountain on its website. Source: https://secretnyc.co/whiteface-mountain-lake-placid-cheapest-ski-resorts-us/