Veterans’ Memorial Highway to Open May 19

New York State’s Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) announces opening dates and times for a slate of popular summer activities at Whiteface Mountain. Each Olympic Authority venue is a destination in and of itself and now offers year-round attractions and activities. After a successful winter season, the staff at Whiteface is shifting to summer operations and gearing up to provide unique guest experiences from the bottom to the top of the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies.

Veterans’ Memorial Highway

A historic eight-mile highway to the top of Whiteface Mountain, New York’s fifth-highest mountain and the only Adirondack High Peak accessible by car. At the top of the highway, visitors can explore a castle built of local stone, dine at the Castle’s 4610’ Grill food truck and find a souvenir at the Castle Gift Shop. The summit can be accessed by either taking a short hike on a stone staircase or riding a fully accessible elevator carved deep inside the mountain. The rocky summit offers 360-degree panoramic views of the Adirondacks, Vermont, and even into Canada. The entrance is located at the Toll House, six miles from the main entrance of Whiteface.

Open: May 19 through Oct. 9, 2023, accessible daily by car or bicycle from 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Cloudsplitter Gondola

An eight-passenger gondola is easily accessible from the Base Lodge at Whiteface Mountain. Visitors can ride up the mountain and through its forests to the top of Little Whiteface, where panoramic views of the High Peaks Region include an observation deck and picnic area overlooking Lake Placid, for which the Olympic village is named.

Open: June 30 through Sept. 4, daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm (closed Sunday, July 23, during Ironman); Sept. 5 through Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (must purchase Oktoberfest admission ticket to ride Sept. 30 and Oct. 1); Columbus Day Weekend: Friday, Oct. 6 through Monday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Disc Golf

A nine-hole course for tossing frisbee-like discs from basket to basket scored similarly to golf and is accessible for all ages and a wide range of athletic abilities. The course has visitors enjoying the lower portions of the mountain’s many favorite ski trails.

Open: June 30 through Sept. 4, daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sept. 5 through Sept. 29, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 6 through Monday, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hiking Trails and Hiking Tours

There are several hiking trails at Whiteface for summer visitors to enjoy, as well as a 1.5-hour hike led by experienced staff along the West Branch of the AuSable River and down the scenic Stag Brook Falls Trail.

Open: June 30 through Sept. 4, daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sept. 5 through Sept. 29, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 6 through Monday, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit https://whiteface.com/todo/hiking/.

Yoga on the Mountain

One-hour yoga sessions for ages ten and older take place on the summit of Little Whiteface and include a scenic Cloudsplitter Gondola ride. The combination of fresh air, stunning scenery, and physical movement can create a deep sense of connection with nature and a profound feeling of inner peace. Yoga mats will be available, but guests can bring their own if preferred.

Sessions: One day a week (TBD), from June 30 through Sept. 4. Visit www.whiteface.com for further details.

Dining Options

The highest dining option in New York State, the 4610’ Grill features rustic American fare and is situated at the top of Whiteface Mountain’s Veterans’ Memorial Highway. Open: May 19 through Oct. 9, daily from 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

At the Whiteface Mountain Base Lodge, visitors can also enjoy pub-style fare and a full-service lounge at the new Legends at Whiteface. Open: June 30 through Sept. 4, daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm (closed Sunday, July 23, during Ironman); Sept. 5 through Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Columbus Day Weekend: Friday, Oct. 6 through Monday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More Information

Attraction details, pricing, advance Oktoberfest event information, and updates to operational schedules can be found by visiting www.whiteface.com. More information about Whiteface’s retail options can be found at www.whiteface.com/mountain/apparel.