Experiences
Located just steps from some of the guest rooms, the Lodge’s boat dock houses kayaks and electric boats available for guests to use all summer long. On warm evenings, there’s no better place to enjoy a spin on the water than in the Lodge’s 35-foot mahogany Hacker-Craft. The boat will take you along the five miles of lakefront, past many of the legendary Great Camps—massive compounds built by the Gilded Age’s most prominent families. For a truly memorable experience, reserve the Hacker-Craft for a private Champagne cruise.
Lake Placid Lodge guests are granted access to the adjacent Whiteface Club, which offers court rentals, private lessons, and equipment rentals for avid tennis players. Eight hard surface and clay tennis courts provide ample space for tennis players of all skill levels, and the club’s tennis pros are available for private lessons and hitting sessions reserved through the Lake Placid Lodge concierge team.
Though Lake Placid Lodge doesn’t house its own golf course, Whiteface Club, located just down the road, features a challenging 18-hole championship course. Tee times are available to Lodge guests May through October. Golf carts, pull carts, and club rentals are available at the pro shop, as are private lessons from the club’s PGA pros. The Lake Placid Lodge concierge team can also assist with securing tee times at a number of other local courses, including the Lake Placid Club and Saranac Inn Golf Course.
Every season offers something different at Lake Placid Lodge, but what remains true year round is that it’s the ideal destination for a family getaway. Beyond skiing, hiking, fishing, and more, the Lodge offers family-friendly activities on-property that are sure to amuse guests of all ages. Participate in arts & crafts demonstrations, play ping pong or cornhole on the lawn, and don’t forget to end the evening with s’mores by the bonfire.
Lake Placid Lodge partners with local massage therapist, Susan Homa of Divinely Sue, who brings a range of services directly to your lakeside guestroom, suite, or cabin – including Swedish, deep-tissue, prenatal, and Lomi Lomi massages with each session uniquely crafted to your individual needs. Single and couple sessions available and guests book directly on the Divinely Sue website.
Activities
Come and see what Lake Placid has to offer
Downhill Skiing
Just 30 minutes from Lake Placid Lodge is Whiteface Mountain, which offers some of the best skiing on the East Coast for beginners and experts alike. Mt. Pisgah, a small, family-run operation in Saranac Lake, also offers day and night skiing as well as tubing.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross country skiers with their own gear can take off from the many trails near Lake Placid Lodge, and guests now have access to the cross country trails at nearby Whiteface Club as well.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is not for the faint of heart, but the trout are plentiful in nearby waters, such as Lake Colby in Saranac Lake or St. Regis Lake in Paul Smiths.
Ice Skating
Grab a pair of ice skates from the lodge, and ice skate on property or in the Olympic Skating Oval that played host during the 1980 games.
Olympic Center and Museum
Lake Placid hosted both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, and the Olympic Center and Museum tells the story of the games and the great athletes who competed there.
Hiking
Lake Placid is a haven for hikers, offering trails that cater to every level of adventurer. Discover the scenic Cobble Hill for a quick trek with rewarding views of the village, or the Peninsula Trails, a network of easy paths along the lake’s edge. For those seeking a bit more adventure, Buck Mountain offers a more moderate hike, with scenic overlooks and peaceful woodlands to enjoy along the way. An experienced Adirondack Guide hired through the lodge will ensure you have a safe and memorable outing.
Fishing
Renowned for its rainbow trout, Lake Placid offers some of the best fishing in Upstate New York. Mirror Lake, right outside the doors of Lake Placid Lodge, is perfect for a peaceful day of fishing, with trout and bass among the species found in its clear waters. Nearby rivers and streams are teeming with brook trout, offering a classic Adirondack fly-fishing experience. After your day on the water, bring your bounty back to the lodge, where one of its skilled chefs will prepare it for dinner.
Mountain Biking
Skiing destination Whiteface Mountain becomes a mountain-biker’s paradise in the summer months. The mountain’s 27 trails are accessible via gondola or shuttle. Riders can expect spectacular views of the Adirondacks, adrenaline-pumping descents, and even opportunities to take on technical features like rock gardens and banked turns. For those new to the sport, equipment rentals and lessons are available.
Horseback Riding
Ride down winding wooded trails atop a horse to experience the true rugged wilderness of the Adirondacks at Emerald Springs Ranch in Saranac Lake. Riders of all skill levels are welcome to saddle up with these gentle, well-trained horses and expert guides. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region, all while enjoying the quiet rhythm of the wilderness around you.
Whitewater Rafting
Up for the challenge of conquering the Class 3 to Class 5 rapids of the Hudson River? From March to June, the concierge team can book you a whitewater rafting adventure through an experienced local company. With towering cliffs, rugged landscapes, and roaring rapids, this stretch of river offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the Northeast. Book a two-and-a-half-hour excursion with Wild Water Outdoor Center, offering easy access to the river from Warrensburg, rafts that hold six to eight people, and a riverside lunch.
Rock Climbing
The rugged Adirondack peaks surrounding Lake Placid Lodge provide breathtaking views, but for those seeking a hands-on adventure, scaling their granite faces is an unforgettable experience. Rock climbers can tackle renowned spots like the Pitchoff Chimney Cliff, which offers routes for both beginners and seasoned climbers. Year-round, local outfitters and guides are available to ensure a safe and exhilarating climb in the heart of the Adirondacks.
Get Your Golf On
For golf enthusiasts, the Adirondacks offer a picturesque and challenging golf scene that combines world-class courses with breathtaking mountain views. Just minutes from the resort, the Lake Placid Club boasts not one but three unique courses: the Mountain Course, Links Course, and Pristine 9. Each is designed to complement the natural beauty of the surrounding peaks and mirror the tranquility of the region.
Set Sail
With its own private dock on the shores of Lake Placid, the resort provides kayaks, canoes, and electric boats all summer long. If you’re looking for more of a guided tour, every afternoon (in season) the resort offers an hour-long cruise aboard its 35-foot mahogany Hacker-Craft Christie. While Christie holds about a dozen people, for an added cost, you can turn it into a private champagne cruise around the lake.