Countdown to Winter

Two people and a dog walk over a wooden bridge in a snowy forest area near High Peaks Resort

Countdown to Winter is High Peaks Resort's early-booking offer for the 2026-27 ski season: plan your Lake Placid winter in the fall, and you get our best rates of the season. The resort is across the street from Mirror Lake, where a 2-mile skating track and the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute open once the ice is thick enough. Whiteface Mountain, with the greatest vertical drop in the East, is about 20 minutes away by car or a free shuttle ride from our front door.

Every stay includes snowshoes to borrow, admission to the Whiteface Club & Resort Nordic Center for cross-country skiing, and two indoor pools for the hours after the lifts stop. The lobby fireplace stays lit, ringed with couches that have ended more than one ambitious afternoon itinerary.

The offer includes:

Freeze your rates on travel dates November 20 to April 29:

  • Book October 6 through October 19: Save up to 30%
  • Book October 20 through November 2: Save up to 25%
  • Book November 3 through November 16: Save up to 20%

Highlights

Amenities included in all High Peaks Resort stays:

  • Welcome beverage on arrival
  • Morning coffee and afternoon refreshments in the High Peaks Resort lobby
  • Access to our 24-hour fitness center
  • Access to two indoor pools
  • High-Speed Wi-Fi

Weather-dependent amenities included in all High Peaks Resort stays:

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a car to ski Whiteface Mountain if I stay in Lake Placid?
A: No. The free Mountain Valley Shuttle, operated by Essex County Transportation, stops in front of High Peaks Resort and runs to Whiteface Mountain seven days a week in season. Last winter the shuttle ran December 15 through March 15, so plan to drive if you're skiing in November, early December, or spring. By car, Whiteface is about 20 minutes from the resort, and parking at the mountain is free. Check whiteface.com for this season's shuttle schedule.

Q: When does ski season start and end at Whiteface Mountain?
A: Whiteface Mountain usually opens in mid to late November and skis into April, depending on snow and temperatures. Last season the mountain opened on November 15, 2025, and daily operations began November 28. Early-season terrain is limited, and last year's opening weekend had no beginner trails, so mid-December through March is the safer choice if your group includes new skiers. Whiteface posts its opening date and daily conditions at whiteface.com.

Q: What is there to do in Lake Placid in winter besides downhill skiing?
A: Plenty, and much of it happens on Mirror Lake, across the street from High Peaks Resort. Once the ice is thick enough, a free 2-mile skating track is plowed around the lake, and the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute, a 30-foot converted ski jump, launches sleds across it on weekends, usually starting in January. Resort guests can borrow snowshoes at no charge and get admission to the cross-country trails at the Whiteface Club & Resort Nordic Center. When the weather wins, the resort has two indoor pools and a lobby fireplace ringed with couches that have ended more than one ambitious afternoon itinerary.

Q: Where can I rent skis in Lake Placid?
A: That depends on the kind of skiing. Downhill skis and snowboards can be rented at Whiteface Mountain, so you pick up your gear where you'll use it. Cross-country skis can be rented at the Whiteface Club & Resort Nordic Center, and High Peaks Resort guests get complimentary admission to its trails, so you pay only for the rental. Snowshoes are free to borrow from the resort.

Q: Can I walk to dinner from High Peaks Resort in winter?
A: Yes. Dancing Bears Restaurant, a Lake Placid mainstay since 1979, is part of High Peaks Resort, and Main Street's restaurants and shops are within walking distance.

Terms & Conditions

  • The alpine and nordic ski seasons are weather dependent and may not be active all dates this package is avalable. 
  • Lift tickets or season passes must be purchased separately through Whiteface Mountain.
  • The package is subject to availability, and a limited number is available per night.
  • Rate does not include taxes, gratuities, or other incidental charges.
  • Unless otherwise noted, a credit card is required to confirm your reservation. A one-night deposit will be charged at the time of booking. Please view the rate details or speak with a High Peaks Resort reservations agent to confirm the final cancellation date, at which point the reservation will become non-cancellable and the deposit will be fully non-refundable.

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A couple sits in front of a cozy stone fireplace, toasting with mugs of hot cocoa, a relaxing scene at High Peaks Resort