Whiteface Landing is located at the northeast end of Lake Placid lake.

With only 200 feet of elevation gain to the lake, this 7.2 mile out-and-back trip is suitable for all levels of skiers and snowshoers.

Trailhead Location: From the intersection of Route 86 and Route 73 in Lake Placid, follow Route 86 toward Wilmington. Continue for 3.1 miles to the winter parking area for Connery Pond and Whiteface Mountain on the left. This is just prior to Riverside Drive which comes in on the right. A map can be found here.

The Trip: From the parking lot, go back 50 yards to a small sign marking a short connector trail that brings you to Connery Pond Road. Once on Connery Pond Road, take a right and ski this wide, easy road to the summer trailhead.

At the summer trailhead near Connery Pond, the route now goes left and up to avoid the private camps on the shore of the pond. The descent back to the pond is a bit more challenging than any other section of this ski, but it’s still doable by even low- to intermediate-level skiers.

At 0.4 miles from the summer trailhead you will be back to the level of the pond. The route is now flat near the north shore of the pond before swinging left to the gate that marks the entrance onto state land. You will then climb in gradual stages to the high point at 2 miles from the highway. After some flat skiing the trail descends gently to a four-way intersection near the landing, where you will have to take a left and continue 0.1 mile to the lake. A dock is located at this point making for an excellent resting area. The ride out is much nicer and a couple of steeper and longer hills make for a fast trip back out to the trailhead.

Note: If snowshoeing, avoid hiking on ski tracks whenever possible.

Featured trails are recommended by DEC.

Photo of Whiteface Landing trail, courtesy DEC.