The Lake Placid Retreat is ideally located to take on Whiteface Mountain, two-time location for the Winter Olympic downhill and slalom competitions and the mountain with the largest vertical drop East of the Rockies. Because Whiteface is at the heart of the Adirondack wilderness there are no on-mountain lodges or other eyesores to detract from the magnificent views. What's more, Whiteface is a great skiing mountain. Graced with 67 trails and 211 skiable acres, 97% of Whiteface is covered by snowmaking which allows the ski season to last from November through early April. Beginning this year Whiteface will operate a brand new third summit that will include a 2.5 mile intermediate run (see righthand photo above). And even with all of this going for it (and a new gondola to boot) there are almost never long lift lines at the mountain. Ski Magazine has rated Whiteface best in the East 3 out of the last 6 years and the New York Times agrees. The resort is also a great place for beginners with a trademarked "Parallel from the Start" program that teaches first-timers to parallel ski in just three days. A very friendly Kids Kampus offers daily and weekend-long courses for children of all ages. Adults can learn in groups or privately, starting on short "blades" and then graduating to full length skis. And if there are younger, "pre-ski" children in your group you can leave them at the warm and well-staffed Bear's Den day care facility. The Bear's Den offers full day childcare and even provides parents with a beeper to stay in touch. In addition, Whiteface is excellent for snowboarding and features a terrain park for freestyle skiers. Snowboarding and ski equipment can be rented on the mountain as well as at several locations in Lake Placid.