Guest blog written for WhitefaceRegion.com by Natalie Moore.
Break up the monotony of winter with a trip that won’t break the bank
There’s no question about it—skiing these days can be pricey. Add in the cost of lodging near a resort and food, and it can feel challenging for young groups to take ski trips, even just for a weekend. However, with a little planning and some great deals, you can still enjoy unforgettable ski trips with your friends!
While adult lift tickets at some resorts can soar over $200, Whiteface Mountain offers a more budget-friendly option, with single-day tickets available for $129 or less when purchased online in advance. And if you and your friends are avid skiers with SKI3 season passes (which grant unlimited days at Whiteface, Gore, and Belleayre), a weekend of skiing at Whiteface is practically free! Well, sort of.
Either way, skiing at Whiteface is a great deal, and it gets even better when you consider the cost-effective lodging options and restaurants located just minutes away. So grab your skis and your friends—we’re going on a getaway to Whiteface Mountain!
Where to Stay
Cadence Lodge
True ski enthusiasts don’t need all the luxury of a five-star hotel—they’re looking for a cozy, welcoming place to rest up before hitting the mountain again the next day. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Cadence Lodge, a charming 1950s-style motor lodge with 15 rooms and a dedicated staff. With its vintage charm and comfortable atmosphere, the lodge creates a relaxed, no-frills base for skiers and adventurers alike. Bonus: The onsite restaurant serves up specialties from the farm, sea and garden, making it an easy stop everyone will enjoy.
The Wilderness Inn
Looking for a more off-the-grid experience? Rent your own private chalet at The Wilderness Inn. Choose your chalet based on the size of your group and your plans for the evenings. While the Spruce, with 600 square feet, is spacious enough for an entire family, featuring two single beds, one double bed, two queen beds, and two bathrooms, the pint-sized Balsam is better suited for a smaller group looking for a place just to sleep. At 350 square feet, it offers one bedroom with two queen beds and a single bed.
The Wolfjaw Lodge
When you step into one of The Wolfjaw Lodge’s 11 rooms, you’ll feel as though you’re in a trendy urban boutique hotel, right in the heart of a charming mountain town. The decor is positively Instagram-worthy, and the rooms feature oversized TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, and kitchenettes. A complimentary winter shuttle will take you to the base of the mountain in just minutes, and if you have a large group, discounts are available for parties booking more than four rooms.
Where to Eat
Up a Creek
It’s hard to beat the prices at Up a Creek, a family-owned and operated restaurant located just outside downtown Wilmington. Open from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and until 1 p.m. on Sundays, Up a Creek has all the essentials. For breakfast, you can choose the two eggs and toast for $4, the French toast for $6, or splurge on an eggs benedict for $9. And for dinner? Spaghetti and meatballs, pulled barbecue chicken, or a haddock sandwich—yes, please! You could even enjoy all your meals there if you wrap up a turkey club to go and eat it on the chairlift.
Little Super Market
Speaking of sandwiches to go, the Little Super Market has been a favorite sub shop for Wilmington residents and visitors alike for about seven decades. Conveniently located at a Mobil station, you can top off your tank while you’re there. The market crafts made-to-order sandwiches with just about any topping you can think of. The best part? It’s open early, so you can grab your lunch before heading to the mountain.
Rudy’s Scar Bar & Grill
At Rudy’s Scar Bar & Grill, après ski starts at 3 p.m.! Located at Chalet Whiteface, a 10-room bed and breakfast (which is also worth checking out when looking for lodging), Rudy’s has everything you could want after a frigid day on the mountain: think New England clam chowder, chili, poutine, chicken wings, and much, much more. (There’s even a special section of the menu for vegetarians.) But food is only half of it—belly up to the bar and jam out to live musical performances hosted most Saturdays.
Adirondack Mountain Coffee Café
Adirondack Mountain Coffee Café, located just a scenic eight-minute drive from the Whiteface Region to the town of Jay, is well worth the visit! For breakfast, enjoy your eggs in any style (poached, fried, scrambled, in an omelet, on a sandwich, etc.) or keep it simple with a bowl of oatmeal. For lunch, soups, salads, and sandwiches take center stage, but you can also indulge in house specials such as chicken and biscuits or fish and chips. And don’t forget a cup of joe to wash it all down—they don’t call it Adirondack Mountain Coffee Café for nothing!
Fratelli Pizza Restaurant & Bar
You can’t go wrong with a hot slice of pizza after a cold day of skiing. Fresh ingredients take center stage at Fratelli Pizza Restaurant & Bar, which boasts a wide selection of appetizers (mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers, fried calamari), pasta (veal parmesan, pasta primavera, puttanesca penne), seafood (shrimp fra diavolo, clams, seafood ravioli), and, yes, pizza—create your own or choose from one of the many specialty options.
The Mountain
If your choice of lodging doesn’t offer a free shuttle service, no problem. Whiteface Mountain is just a stone’s throw from Wilmington and offers ample parking at both the main Base Lodge and Bear Den Lodge (pull into the main entrance, cross the Ausable River, and take a right). Bear Den Mountain is home to Whiteface’s lessons program, making the terrain more suitable for beginners. Thanks to a new lift that opened this year, The Notch, skiers can now ride to Legacy Lodge at mid-station from Bear Den, providing access to even more of the mountain and a seamless progression from the bunny hills to intermediate runs.
As for the mountain itself, there’s something for everyone. Green circle trails abound at Bear Den, as well as off the Warhorse chairlift, which departs from the main lodge. Park rats can get their fix at five terrain parks designed for a variety of abilities located throughout the mountain. Intermediate skiers and riders will love the uber-long Wilmington Trail, which, at 2.1 miles, offers sweeping views of the Adirondack Mountains. For those in search of the steepest, bumpiest black diamonds, there are Mountain Run, Cloudspin, Skyward, and plenty of glades. If you’re lucky, the ski patrol will even open Whiteface’s notorious slides to expert skiers.
When it’s time for a break from all the shredding, grab a bite and a pint at the Base Lodge, Bear Den Lodge, or Legacy Lodge, which is located midway up the mountain. To top off the perfect ski day, give in to temptation and indulge in a chocolate-covered waffle from Waffle Cabin. You know you want to!
So what are you waiting for? Book your ultimate friends getaway to Whiteface Mountain today.
