As another season of snow, skiing and snowboarding is about to begin, many New Yorkers are thinking about where to go. When it comes to luxury winter sport destinations, you often hear people talking about Aspen, Whistler or going to Europe. But did you know that New York has its own luxury ski resort, a place that is right at your doorstep and doesn’t require long flights and days of travel? Lake Placid is located in Upstate New York, not too far away from the Canadian border. The winter sport town even hosted the Olympic Games in 1932 and 1980 and to date, many notable professional winter sport events are hosted in Lake Placid. Whiteface Mountain, right next to Lake Placid, contains 96 trails, stretching 25 miles and altitudes of over 4,000 ft. The variety of slopes, the great snow conditions and weather, make it the perfect place to ski for beginners, intermediates and experts alike.
When you book your skiing trip in Lake Placid, there is one place you need to stay for the perfect winter sport holiday: Mirror Lake Inn. While the history of the hotel dates back to 1924, it received its current name in 1933. The current owners, Ed and Lisa Weibrecht took over the Mirror Lake Inn in 1976. Since 1984, the Mirror Lake Inn has been AAA Four Diamond rated. Attention to detail is visible throughout the entire hotel. From the décor with wooden panes, warm color pallets, stuffed animals, lounge areas and a library to the welcoming staff that leave no wish unfulfilled. The atmosphere is very intimate and guests feel being taken care of at all times. If you are into skiing, Andrew Weibrecht, the son of the owners and two-time Olympic medalist, even offers private ski tours exclusively for the hotel’s guests.
We recommend booking the Mirror Lake Suite for your stay. With 500 sq ft of living space it offers the perfect luxurious getaway for couples. The décor of the suite is black forest-inspired. Wooden panes on the walls, a cozy fireplace and a warm color palette create a true winter sport atmosphere. The suite has a beautiful outside patio that oversees the Mirror Lake and Adirondack mountains. As such, it is also a great option for a summer weekend getaway – enjoy a glass of wine and local food while soaking in the views and fresh air.
For those that prefer an even more unique experience, the hotel has a Presidential Suite with more than 900 sq ft of living space that spans over two floors. Downstairs is a large living room with lake and mountain views as well as a kitchenette area. Upstairs is the master bed suite with a walk-in rain shower, as well as your own jacuzzi and sauna. And don’t forget to enjoy room service while relaxing on the spacious rooftop balcony.
The Mirror Lake Inn offers plenty of options to pamper yourself after a day of intense skiing. Among the spa and fitness experiences available is a heated 60-foot indoor pool and a heated outdoor pool (the outdoor pool is not open in the winter) as well as a spacious jacuzzi and sauna. Not only does the fitness center include state-of-the-art equipment but guests also have the opportunity to book personal training sessions with 4-time Olympic medalist Andrea Henkel-Burke. You can further relax in the award-winning Lake Placid Spa that offers various kinds of massages as well as salt therapy.
The View is the culinary centerpiece of the Mirror Lake Inn. The View offers a warm, cozy and comfortable atmosphere and its tall and wide floor-to-ceiling windows allow for spectacular views of the Mirror Lake and Adirondack Mountains. Our favorite way to dine? Start with the Jumbo Shrimp Remoulade, followed by the Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras with fig mostarda and toasted house made brioche. As the main, we recommend the Grilled Beef Filet with petite carrots and turnips and the Vanilla Crème Brulee with fresh berries is the perfect way to end dinner. The cocktail aficionados amongst you should definitely try the Maple Rye Old Fashioned as well as the Whiteface.
