Lake Placid is one of the best winter travel destinations in New York. As a former host of the Winter Olympics, it’s no surprise that travelers flock to this Adirondack village once the snow starts falling.
While Lake Placid is a wonderful destination year-round, winter is when it truly shines. It’s the best time to experience Olympic-inspired activities, take in snow-covered mountain views, and enjoy one of the best winter getaways in New York.
While the Olympic sites are a big draw to visiting Lake Placid, you do not need to be an Olympic fanatic to appreciate this destination (though it helps). Beyond winter sports, the village offers a wide range of experiences that appeal to travelers of all types.
Whether you’re planning an adrenaline-filled weekend on the slopes, a cozy winter escape, or a little bit of both, there’s no shortage of things to do in Lake Placid in winter.
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Where to Stay in Lake Placid
If you’re planning a winter trip to Lake Placid, deciding where to stay is one of the most important factors. Winter in Lake Placid is high season, so hotels sell out quickly. I recommend booking a hotel in the village so you can access winter activities and unwind in Lake Placid in the evenings without much extra driving.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid – This is truly the nicest Hampton Inn I’ve ever stayed at. You can book a room with a view of Mirror Lake. Or enjoy cozy afternoons in the lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake. With comfortable rooms, complimentary breakfast (Hampton waffles hit differently with this view), and a pool, this is a fantastic budget-friendly option. Check availability on Booking.com
- Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa – If you’re looking for a more elevated stay, this lakeside luxury hotel is hard to beat. Located right on Mirror Lake, it offers beautiful winter views, cozy common spaces, and an on-site spa. This is perfect for a romantic or special winter getaway. Check availability on Booking.com
Best Time to Visit Lake Placid in Winter
The best time to visit Lake Placid in Winter to ensure peak winter conditions in January through March. This is the most reliable time to experience winter activities in Lake Placid, including snowy conditions and a frozen Mirror Lake.
How Long to Stay in Lake Placid in Winter
If you’re looking for a well-rounded introduction to Lake Placid, 3 to 4 days is the ideal length of stay in winter. This gives you enough time to experience a variety of winter activities while still leaving room to slow down and enjoy the picturesque surroundings.
That said, you could absolutely spend a full week in Lake Placid in winter. There are so many incredible winter experiences available that fitting everything into just a few days can feel rushed. Keep in mind, however, that many winter activities come with a higher price tag, so a longer stay will also mean a noticeably higher overall budget.
Best Things to Do in Lake Placid in Winter
Lake Placid Toboggan Chute
One of the most iconic winter experiences in Lake Placid is riding the toboggan chute on Mirror Lake. This 30-foot-high wooden chute sits above Mirror Lake and sends you gliding across the frozen lake at exhilarating speeds.
The Lake Placid Toboggan Chute has been operating since the 1960s and is one of the most fun activities in Lake Placid. Even if you opt to just watch, the atmosphere around the chute is lively and fun. I loved watching the toboggans go flying across the lake! It’s truly a classic Adirondack winter experience.
📍Lake Placid Toboggan Chute (Google Maps)
🎟️ Price: $20 for adults
Speed Skating Oval
Ever dreamed of skating around a 400-meter Olympic ice rink? Lake Placid is the place to do it. The James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval was used during the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics and is still open today for both speed skating and open skate sessions.
This skating rink is not for the faint of heart! There are no rails around the oval or skating helpers for inexperienced skaters, so having basic skating skills is a must! That being said, skating here is an unforgettable experience, especially at night with music playing and lights illuminating the rink.
Even if you don’t lace up your skates, it’s well worth stopping by to watch the speed skaters train. It is impressive to see just how quickly the maneuver around this massive rink.
📍James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval (Google Maps)
🎟️ Price: $15 for adults + $10 Skate Rentals
Olympic Museum
The Olympic Museum in Lake Placid commemorates the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics games. This museum is great for Olympic enthusiasts or anyone with a general interest in niche history.
The exhibits do an incredible job of blending history, storytelling, and interactive displays that bring the Olympics to life. You’ll learn about the legendary “Miracle on Ice,” see medals and memorabilia, and gain a deeper appreciation for why Lake Placid holds such a special place in winter sports history.
📍Olympic Museum in Lake Placid (Google Maps)
🎟️ Price: $15 for adults
Walk on the Frozen Mirror Lake
When winter arrives, Mirror Lake freezes over, becoming an extension of downtown Lake Placid. Walking across the shimmering surface of the frozen lake is one of the best ways to take in views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains and the village.
I started every day of my winter trip to Lake Placid with a coffee and a walk across the icy lake. It is such a peaceful way to begin a day of thrilling winter activities in Lake Placid.
Mirror Lake also becomes a hub for winter activities, including the Toboggan chute, ice skating, and pond hockey. It is a fun and frozen gathering place of sorts in Lake Placid.
Bobsled & Skeleton Experiences
For a true Olympic-level experience, head to Mt. Van Hoevenberg to experience bobsledding and skeleton at one of Lake Placid’s iconic Olympic venues.
This is one of the few places in the world where you can try this winter sport, making it one of the most thrilling and unique activities in Lake Placid. Racing down the track at high speeds offers a rare glimpse into what Olympic athletes experience. It is an unforgettable experience.
📍Mt. Van Hoevenberg (Google Maps)
🎟️ Price: $75 per ride
Dogsledding in Lake Placid
Dogsledding is one of the most quintessential winter activities you can experience in Lake Placid. Led by an experienced musher, these dog sled rides take you gliding across the frozen Mirror Lake and through the snow-covered Adirondack landscape.
The experience strikes the perfect balance between scenic and bucket-list-worthy, and is surprisingly peaceful. There’s something incredibly calming about moving quietly through the winter landscape, pulled by an eager team of dogs, with nothing but snow and mountains around you.
📍Main Street Across from High Peaks Resort (Google Maps)
🎟️ Price: $20 per person, first-come, first-served
Hit the Slopes at Whiteface Mountain
Just a short drive from town is Whiteface Mountain, one of the premier ski destinations in the Northeast. With challenging terrain and a steep vertical drop, it is a popular resort amongst advanced skiers. Who wouldn’t want to ski on the same terrain where Olympic hopefuls often train?
Whiteface Mountain isn’t just for experts. There are plenty of runs for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders as well. And the views from Whiteface Mountain on a clear day are unparalleled!
Cloudspitter Gondola at Whiteface Mountain
Even if skiing is not your thing, visiting Whiteface Mountain for the Cloudsplitter Gondola is well worth it!
The Cloudsplitter Gondola is a scenic and fun way to reach the top of Little Whiteface Mountain. Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with sweeping winter views of the Adirondacks from the overlook. Just be mindful not to get in the way of skiers and snowboarders (you don’t want a collision as they are flying down the slopes).
This is one of the best things to do in Lake Placid in Winter. The views are breathtaking, and the ride is so magical. I’ve ridden this gondola multiple times, and it never gets old!
📍Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort (Google Maps)
🎟️ Price: $30 for adults
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is one of the easiest and most peaceful ways to explore Lake Placid in winter. With fresh snow blanketing the landscape, snowshoeing allows you to experience the trails that would otherwise be inaccessible on foot.
And with this slow-paced winter activity, you can truly take your time to appreciate the beautiful natural surroundings.
Cross Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is another wonderful way to experience Lake Placid’s winter landscape. The region offers scenic trails that wind through snow-covered forests and open terrain, offering a peaceful, immersive winter experience.
This is a great option if you enjoy being active but prefer something quieter than downhill skiing.
Hike High Falls Gorge in Winter
High Falls Gorge is one of the most popular winter activities in Lake Placid. It is one of the region’s easiest and most accessible gorge trails, and is open year-round!
Winter transforms High Falls Gorge into a true winter wonderland, with snow-covered paths and partially frozen waterfalls. This is a low-effort, high-reward type of hike. The trail is approximately a 1-mile out-and-back trail, and you’re treated with stunning frozen views the entire time.
📍High Falls Gorge (Google Maps)
🎟️ Price: $20.75 for adults
Olympic Jumping Complex – Skyride
Hear me out… I’m not recommending you to go ski jumping. It’s an incredible niche winter sport that takes a lot of skill. That said, the Olympic Jumping Complex offers one of the best views in Lake Placid with the Skyride Experience.
You can ride the elevator to the top of the ski jumps for sweeping panoramic views of the High Peaks region, or time your visit to watch ski jumpers train. Seeing athletes soar through the air against a snowy mountain backdrop is just as impressive as the views themselves.
📍Olympic Jumping Complex (Google Maps)
🎟️ Price: $20 for adults
Sleigh Ride
For a cozy, romantic winter experience, consider booking a horse-drawn sleigh ride in Lake Placid.
Gliding through the snow-covered Adirondack setting, under a warm blanket on this sleigh ride, feels like something from a movie. It is an incredible experience.
Explore the Village of Lake Placid
One of the best things to do in Lake Placid is simply exploring the village itself. Downtown Lake Placid is highly walkable and filled with charming shops, cozy cafés, and inviting eateries.
With snow-covered peaks in the distance and twinkling lights lining Main Street, Lake Placid feels especially charming in winter. It is easily one of the most picturesque villages in New York this time of year.
Whether you’re strolling with a latte from Origin Coffee or popping into the alpine shops to browse for ski gear and souvenirs, the village is the perfect place to spend downtime from all the thrilling activities in Lake Placid.
Ice Castle in nearby Saranac Lake
When visiting Lake Placid in winter, you must take a trip to see the Ice Castle in Saranac Lake. Saranac Lake is just a short drive from Lake Placid and has an incredible Ice Castle as part of its winter festivities.
Built entirely from blocks of ice, the castle is especially magical in the evening when it’s illuminated, creating a whimsical winter scene that feels straight out of a fairytale.
Cliffside Coaster
The Cliffside Coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg isn’t a seasonal activity, but it’s especially thrilling in winter. This rollercoaster-style ride winds through the snowy Adirondack landscape, offering a fun mix of scenery and adrenaline.
You control your speed the entire way, making it easy to keep things mellow or dial it up for a more exhilarating ride. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a quick burst of excitement without committing to a full day of winter sports.
📍Mt. Van Hoevenberg (Google Maps)
🎟️ Price: $-
* 2026 update: The Cliffside Coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg is closed for renovations
Ice Skating on Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake is such a scenic spot for ice skating. With mountain peaks in the distance and village views all around, skating here truly feels like something straight out of a Hallmark movie.
There are no skate rentals available on Mirror Lake, so you’ll need to bring your own skates. But if you have them, this is the perfect place for a relaxed, free-form skate. The atmosphere is much more laid-back compared to the Speed Skating Oval, making it a lovely option if you’re looking for something slower and more romantic. (or if you want to play a pick-up hockey game.)
Cozy Après-Ski & Fireside Dining
After a day in the cold, Lake Placid truly shines when it comes time to warm up. The village is full of cozy spots where you can settle in by a fire, enjoy a cocktail or beer, or linger over a hearty meal.
Whether you’ve been skiing at Whiteface Mountain or just wandering town, you will be looking forward to some time cozied up by the fireside or a drink in this mountain town. Personally, I loved grabbing a craft beer from Lake Placid Pub & Brewery.
Scenic Winter Drives Through the Adirondacks
There’s no better way to appreciate the natural beauty of Lake Placid than taking a scenic winter drive through the Adirondack Mountains. Snow-dusted forests, frozen lakes, and mountain views make even the shortest drives feel special during winter.
You don’t necessarily need to set out with a specific route in mind. Many of the activities on this list require short drives from downtown Lake Placid, and the scenery along the way is part of the experience. And if you’re driving into the region, you’ll be treated to some of the most picturesque winter landscapes in New York before you even arrive.
Watching the Olympics in Lake Placid
If you’re visiting Lake Placid during a Winter Olympic year, you may be lucky enough to catch Olympic highlights playing on screens along Main Street. Watching the Games in a town that has hosted the Winter Olympics twice adds an extra layer of magic to the experience.
I visited during the 2022 Winter Olympics and loved catching parts of the Games while wandering through the village. There’s something especially fun about watching Olympic moments unfold in a place with such deep Olympic history.
Things to do in Lake Placid in Winter: Wrap-up
This wraps up my guide to the best things to do in Lake Placid in winter. With its mix of Olympic history, snow-covered mountain scenery, and classic winter activities, Lake Placid easily stands out as one of the best winter destinations in the USA.
With so many incredible things to do, planning a trip here can feel a bit overwhelming, but that’s part of what makes it such a special place to visit.
Lake Placid is the kind of destination that beckons travelers to return time and time again, whether to explore more of the Adirondacks, try a new winter activity, or simply soak up the cozy mountain-town atmosphere and the thrill of winter in this iconic village.
For more travel inspiration, check out these posts:
🧊 Hiking the Breathtaking High Falls Gorge in Winter
⛸️ Lake Placid Speed Skating Oval Guide
🚠 Riding the Cloudspitter Gondola for Stunning Views of Lake Placid
For more New York travel, check out my New York section!
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