Condé Nast Traveler rates Whiteface 4th on Continent!!

The appeal of spending a winter getaway in the High Peaks / Whiteface region of the Adirondacks is becoming an even more open secret...

From ORDA: Only Whistler in Canada, Aspen in Colorado and Deer Valley in Utah ranked ahead of Whiteface among the best places to ski and stay on the continent.

A Who’s Who of ski resorts was listed behind the Adirondack winter icon, including Park City, Stowe, Vail, Telluride, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Mont Tremblant, Beaver Creek, Snowmass, Steamboat and Lake Louise.

“This news may be the most humbling praise we could ever receive,” said Ted Blazer, President and CEO of ORDA. “To be near the top of that list, in the same breath as some of the greatest resorts in the world, will keep us motivated to enhance our varied winter experiences even further. I couldn’t be prouder of our staff that makes this accolade possible, and hats off to the surrounding hotels, motels, shops, restaurants and attractions that really round out our remarkable resort.”

“It is wonderful that our region is being recognized for the very things which we all live here for – the Adirondacks –our destination amenities –our Olympic venues and our quality of life,” said James McKenna, President of the Lake Placid / Essex County Visitors Bureau. “This combination of attributes clearly sets us apart from other resort areas for visitors and residents alike.”

Call (518) 891-2784 to hear about Harbor Hill's great Ski & Stay packages. Experience the winter wonderland that is Whiteface and the Olympic Region!

Whiteface Opens Today for 2007-2008 Season!

Today Whiteface Mountain opened for the 07-08 Winter season! Currently open trails include Exelsior, Summit Express, Upper Valley, Broadway and Lower Valley. The lifts servicing these trails will be the eight passenger Cloudsplitter Gondola and Face Lift quad. The Mixing Bowl as well as Danny's Bridge and Brookside are projected to open on Sunday. Click here to check on trail conditions.

Lessons at the Snow Sports School are also available. The Kids Kampus center for children ages 1-12 is also now open, offering various combinations of instruction and childcare.

White Stuff at Whiteface!

Whiteface made lots of snow this weekend, allowing somebody some very early tracks. Looks like this approaching snowstorm will bring salvation to early season skiers! Winter in the Adirondacks is an unparalleled vacation experience - come see for yourself!

photo: Whiteface/SkiNet

A Great Hike - Ampersand

Some of our guests climbed Ampersand over Columbus Weekend and shared this photo. Ampersand boasts a 3,352 foot bald summit with incredible 360* views including many lakes as well as the High Peaks. The 5.6 mile round trip hike takes about four hours. The first part of the trail is a mile long flat stretch through the forest which is followed by a steep ascent to the top, including some hand over hand bits. Great views in all directions make this a popular hike. Grab some sandwiches from the Lakeview Deli (just minutes from Harbor Hill & Ampersand) and dine at the summit (leaving nothing behind of course!).

Trust us - working up a little sweat hiking through the trees with your friends and family is a fond memory for many visitors and a true Adirondack vacation experience.

The trail head is 8 miles West of Saranac Lake on NY-3.

For more information on hiking Ampersand, check out: The Adirondack Mountain Club's guide to Ampersand

Fall & Winter in the Same Day...

As NYSEF (New York Ski Education Foundation) racers do a training skate up the Whiteface Memorial Highway, the season changes the higher they climb.

Photos by Pat Casey and Pete Vordenberg

Donnelly's Ice Cream

Photo from flickr user d-4ce

Operating out of a former Dairy, Donnelly's Ice Cream features the creamiest homemade soft serve. Each day, only one flavor is available, always twisted with vanilla. Weekends are always chocolate, while weekdays alternate through fruit, nut and other flavors. Last I visisted the flavor happened to be Strawberry, but no matter the flavor, you can't go wrong!

The shack, located at the intersection of Routes 86 & 186 is located in between the Paul Smiths College / Lake Clear Airport area and the village of Saranac Lake. Make a stop on the way back from the Saranac Inn Golf Course or just go for a drive. The mountain vista that faces the shop is pretty impressive in its own right. Donnelly's is open Memorial Day through Labor Day and should not be missed by any ice cream lovers. Til next year!

The WILD Center

The recently opened, 31 acre indoor/outdoor WILD Center at the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks is a fascinating set of live exhibits that help visitors understand the nature and science of the Adirondack Park.

"The Wild Center has live exhibits, and chances to hike and explore the Museum's 31- acre campus with naturalist guides or on your own. There are theaters with high definition films, plenty of hands-on nature, and hundreds of live animals from rare native trout, to river otters, to turtles the size of walnuts and many other often hard-to-see residents of the woods and waters."

Photos from flikr user ep4919

The brand new museum is drawing rave reviews for its engaging and breathtaking exhibits that make it a great destination for families.

Check out the New York Times article on the WILD Center.