Traveling over the holidays can make for very special memories with loved ones. The kids are out of school and the magic of the season is in the air. Time is one of the most cherished commodities and how you spend holiday time will be something you hold dear for years to come. The Whiteface Region has so much to offer for the entire family, and the holidays are a great time to come and enjoy. You can be in a majestic mountain town that offers adventure, downtime, and a lot of holiday cheer. Here are the top ten reasons you will love it during the holidays.
1. The mountain
Whiteface Mountain could be the main reason to come to the region for the holidays. This great alpine experience offers something for everyone, from beginner to expert level skiers and riders. The Olympic mountain is known as the greatest verticle drop in the east, BUT, did you know it is also very family-friendly? You can head to the Bear Den for instructions, lessons, and childrens activities. Here, the instructors are entirely dedicated to beginners of all ages and making sure everyone loves the mountain and skiing or snowboarding. The holidays are a great time to try something new as a family or start a new tradition. What a great start to a New Year's resolution.
2. Eat, drink, and be merry
Everyone knows that part of the holidays are indulging in your favorite foods. But unfortunately, many times there is one or two family members that end up in the kitchen the entire time. Eating out, especially, is a great way to treat them. There are many great restaurants to choose from in the Whiteface region. For instance, you can cozy up in front of the roaring fireplace at McDougall's Pub for some family favorites and specialty drinks. There is even a great kids menu sure to please the pickiest of eaters. Instead of cooking and cleaning, spend your valued time finding out about your family's New Year's resolutions, or what books everyone is reading. Save room for dessert; it is the holiday season after all.
3. Fresh air and excercise
Fresh mountain air is a great way to clear your head. Take a hike or snowshoe into the wooded beauty of the Adirondacks to erase the stresses of the workplace, the traffic, the report cards. They all seem so far away when you realize how close you are to nature and how big the world is. All of a sudden you are connecting with each other on the beauty of nature and talking about the eagle's nest in the trees. No one is arguing about too much time online. These are the family moments that should happen over the holidays and those that sometimes get lost in the day to day real life situations. Take a breath and a walk; you will be so glad you went out into the woods and off line.
4. Snowshoe at High Falls Gorge
A walk in a winter wonderland is literally what you will get at High Falls Gorge over the holidays. This trek past waterfalls, on groomed paths and bridges with see-through floors is just as spectacular in the winter as it is in the summer months. You can use snowshoes or trax for your walk through wonderland. These are available right at the desk for your convenience. This self-guided tour is great for the entire family. There are Adirondack chairs to sit in and enjoy the views if little ones need a break. There is a cafe to warm up in after your walk and an amazing gift shop to take home a souvenier from your day. Make sure the kids go mining for gold and try the homemade cookies. Enjoying quality family time that is fun for everyone will make your adventure a day to remember.
5. Santa on skis
Can you imagine hundereds of Santas coming down the mountain on skis and snowboards? Well, during the Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll, you can witness the Santa Ski Day at Whiteface Mountain for yourself. If you dress as Santa, you get to ski for FREE. However, it is cool enough just watching the red streams of Saint Nick suits cruise down the trails. Sit in the base lodge or on the deck by the fire and sip on hot chocolate while looking out the huge windows at all of the excitement. The lodge is a great place to grab lunch or a specialty cocktail. They are known for their Bloody Mary's, so make sure you stay for one, or two. Enjoy a holiday at the mountain like no other, the kids will have a story to tell their class when they get back to school.
6. Get your holiday card photo taken
Take an afternoon to get your holiday cards done. You won't need a professional photographer, although there are many to be found. Simply find a beautiful spot in nature, such as the covered bridge in Jay. This beats taking a photo in a mall or studio any day. Your friends will all wonder where you have been to capture such natural beauty. The family will all be smiling and you won't even have to threaten them with canceling the holiday or returning gifts. The authentic holiday card is one that will always be cherished, the memories will be with you forever, and the backdrop was free of charge.
7. Santa!
Speaking of malls, have you ever wished your kid's experiences with Santa Claus were not on some glitzy chair on a shiny floor outside of Target? Well, check out who really lives in the Whiteface region. You can visit THE Santa, feed his reindeer, and even see his elves making toys for children all over the world at Santa's Workshop. You can even mail your holiday cards straight from the post office at the North Pole. Imagine how happy the kids' classmates will be when they get a card postmarked from the real North Pole. Learn about St. Nicholas, eat the fudge made right in the candy store, and grab some ornaments to remember your day on future holidays. There is magic, a parade, and even storytelling happening at Santa's Workshop; enjoy it all over the holiday season. Don't forget to take some fudge home for later, it is amazing. Mall? No thanks, not when this is your alternative.
8. The Adirondack Wildlife Refuge
There are very few places in the world where you can see a wolf, a bobcat, a snowy owl, and even a bear up close. No, this is not a zoo-type place, this is a wildlife refuge dedicated to rehabilitation and education. This is a natural experience like no other. The animals here are injured, rescued, nursed back to health, and released into the wild when possible, but there are animals that remain in their care. They are used in educational demonstrations and displays, as are animals who are generally healthy, but are no longer able to survive in nature. This 50-acre "Wild Kingdom" includes a 1-mile self-guided interpretive trail complete with a river, forest, and meadow. You can make this part of your extraordinary experience for a simple donation.
9. Romance
Wouldn't it be nice to get some time to yourselves over the holidays? It is important to remember to do just that. Tuck the kids into their beds, talk about the visions of sugar plums, and then head out for a craft beer at Pourman's Tap House. Everyone is happy and you deserve this cheer. Grab the couch by the fireplace and get a little lost in the moment. There are no dishes to do, no cleaning to worry about, just you and a chance to talk about your day. Play your favorite songs on the jukebox, or maybe there is a band playing just for you. Head home early or stay out late, it is your holiday too.
10. Relaxation
With adventure around every corner, sometimes it is difficult to just sit back and take it all in, but this is a must for any vacation. Holidays are a time of celebration and reflection. Natural settings will help remind you to take a load off and enjoy the view. The Whiteface Region offers it all and is a great way for your entire family to enjoy a holiday vacation in a real winter wonderland. Bring back what the holidays were meant to be about in the Whiteface Region.
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