Whiteface advice for 2009

[jaywbigred]

Hey all - I'm headed to Whiteface for the weekend, looking for advice. Have only been there once before, and feel like I missed most of what the mountain had to offer as a result of lack of knowledge, bad weather, and skiing with some n00bs who needed coddling.

I read a couple of old threads, incl. a good one started by Kingslug back in 2006, but I was wondering if anyone had any updated advice on Whiteface. From what I've read, I've taken the following kernals to heart:
i) I should avoid Excelsior after 9 am;
ii) I should avoid the 1 blue run (name?) from the top of Little Whiteface any time after 9ish in the morning to avoid crowds;
iii) The Slides will not be open;
iv) Ski blacks to avoid crowds

Anything else to know? Some questions:

a) I know the World Cup Skiercross event is this weekend. Any tips on how to navigate that? It seems to be a first time event...
b) Also, does anyone know if there are open bump runs right now? Worth bringing the Mambas?
c) How about the snow quality? Do I need to get my edges sharpened? I know Iceface is just a convenient moniker used by naysayers, but the only other trip I've taken was a rather icy one.
d) Obviously I am expecting holiday crowds. Any tips, other than the ones above, on how to navigate the crowds?
e) What time do lifts open? It seems from the website they may roll open at different times. Also, anyone ever signed up for the First Tracks program?
f) Anyone ever stay at the Mirror Lake Lodge? This is where we are staying.
g) Anyone ever been curling before? I think we are getting a lesson.
h) Anyone ever gone down the Bobsled course before? I think we are doing that too.
i) Where is a good place to drink good beer in Lake Placid?
j) Where is a good place to eat good/cheap food?

My buddy is totally hooking us up through his job. He owed me one from last season (I invited him when one of our family friends was hosting us at their huge ski house/Stratton Mountain Club for a free ski weekend) so he is hooking me up with free lodging at the Mirror Lake Lodge, and then 3 days of lift tickets, + access to all the weekend's races/aerials, + the curling lesson, + the bobsled ride, all for $190. I'm pretty excited.

Thanks in advance for any help and guidance!

 

[tjf67]

Hey all - I'm headed to Whiteface for the weekend, looking for advice. Have only been there once before, and feel like I missed most of what the mountain had to offer as a result of lack of knowledge, bad weather, and skiing with some n00bs who needed coddling.

I read a couple of old threads, incl. a good one started by Kingslug back in 2006, but I was wondering if anyone had any updated advice on Whiteface. From what I've read, I've taken the following kernals to heart:
i) I should avoid Excelsior after 9 am;
ii) I should avoid the 1 blue run (name?) from the top of Little Whiteface any time after 9ish in the morning to avoid crowds;
iii) The Slides will not be open;
iv) Ski blacks to avoid crowds

Anything else to know? Some questions:

a) I know the World Cup Skiercross event is this weekend. Any tips on how to navigate that? It seems to be a first time event...
b) Also, does anyone know if there are open bump runs right now? Worth bringing the Mambas?
c) How about the snow quality? Do I need to get my edges sharpened? I know Iceface is just a convenient moniker used by naysayers, but the only other trip I've taken was a rather icy one.
d) Obviously I am expecting holiday crowds. Any tips, other than the ones above, on how to navigate the crowds?
e) What time do lifts open? It seems from the website they may roll open at different times. Also, anyone ever signed up for the First Tracks program?
f) Anyone ever stay at the Mirror Lake Lodge? This is where we are staying.
g) Anyone ever been curling before? I think we are getting a lesson.
h) Anyone ever gone down the Bobsled course before? I think we are doing that too.
i) Where is a good place to drink good beer in Lake Placid?
j) Where is a good place to eat good/cheap food?

My buddy is totally hooking us up through his job. He owed me one from last season (I invited him when one of our family friends was hosting us at their huge ski house/Stratton Mountain Club for a free ski weekend) so he is hooking me up with free lodging at the Mirror Lake Lodge, and then 3 days of lift tickets, + access to all the weekend's races/aerials, + the curling lesson, + the bobsled ride, all for $190. I'm pretty excited.

Thanks in advance for any help and guidance!

a/ Stay above the gondola, Mountain run chair and summit chair
b/ Any snomaking trail will have bumps. So will Mac
C/ Snow quality is great but get you skis sharpened it always helps up here

D They wont be that bad if you stay above mid. Also after 2 you will have the hill to yourself
e/ 8:30 to 3:30 summit/loukout 9 to 3:15, First tracks concept is good. reality if you are above a beginner you will not like it
f/ Mirror lake. YUMMY
G/ Curling lessons? Did youtake lessons for shuffleboard? HAHA Probably fun
h/ Bob sled is fun to do once
I Pub and Brewery, Dancing Bear, Lisa G's,
J/ Carribean Cowboy, Cascade inn (BEST DEAL IN THE DACKS AND GOOD) Lisa G's

The Orange Jackets are great resources on the hill. If you run into a nice yellow jacket they may show you around (me).

 

[St. Bear]

I'm also interested in hearing about Whiteface. I've never been and I'm thinking of making the trek up sometime in later Feb, when the whole mountain should be open.

 

[jaywbigred]

Thanks for the infor Tj. A few points of clarification:

a/ Stay above the gondola, Mountain run chair and summit chair

I read this to mean that I should avoid the Gondola after the first trip up by using the Summit chair and the Mountain Run chair, correct? Mountain Run seems to service limited terrain w/o also using the Freeway Chair. Anything wrong with that?

b/ Any snomaking trail will have bumps. So will Mac

Mac = Upper and Lower Mackenzie? Also, are you saying that any other snowmaking trail (that is also black) will have reliable mogul lines? That would seem to be quite a few, no? The mountain advetises 98% coverage.

D They wont be that bad if you stay above mid. Also after 2 you will have the hill to yourself

When you say stay above mid, you mean by using the chairs outlined in your answer to a) I assume.

The Orange Jackets are great resources on the hill. If you run into a nice yellow jacket they may show you around (me).

Good to know! I wear red pants and have Ohio State Buckeye stickers on my ski helmet.

Thanks again!

 

[tjf67]

Thanks for the infor Tj. A few points of clarification:

I read this to mean that I should avoid the Gondola after the first trip up by using the Summit chair and the Mountain Run chair, correct? Mountain Run seems to service limited terrain w/o also using the Freeway Chair. Anything wrong with that?

Mac = Upper and Lower Mackenzie? Also, are you saying that any other snowmaking trail (that is also black) will have reliable mogul lines? That would seem to be quite a few, no? The mountain advetises 98% coverage.

When you say stay above mid, you mean by using the chairs outlined in your answer to a) I assume.

Good to know! I wear red pants and have Ohio State Buckeye stickers on my ski helmet.

Thanks again!

Yes avoid the ghondi and the high speed quad( unless there are beginers) Mountain run chair has two drop offs. One at the top of MR and one at the summit of Litttle whiteface( next to the gondi drop off). Top of MR will get you to the bumps on lower mac.
Lower mac is open. Dont know if upper will be. It will have bumps. Natural no seeds.
All the black with guns on them will bump up in the afternoon. I ski bumps everyweekend they are not that hard to find.

 

[freezorburn]

COLD COLD COLD

Been there 4x froze them off every time. Leave no skin exposed this weeekend.

The mountain is ok. To me it's not worth the drive to ski the mountain but it is worth the drive to party in the TOWN! Lake Placid is a great town to kick back and have fun! White face is great IF THE WEATHER HOLDS otherwise stay in the town. That is the only mountain I know of in the east that has had huge ROCK slids and Avalanches. Off piste of course

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

A good idea would be to copy and paste this post at SKIADK. Many locals (like TJF) and regulars who know the mountain and surrounding area well.

Definately check out the new Wilmington Trail.

 

[jaywbigred]

A good idea would be to copy and paste this post at SKIADK. Many locals (like TJF) and regulars who know the mountain and surrounding area well.

Definately check out the new Wilmington Trail.

k, will do. thx for the info!

 

[lerops]

I was there for last year MLK weekend. It was not crowded. I think it was also one of my least icy skiing experiences. They were making tons of snow and the lack of crowds means they last more compared to other places.

I did the first tracks, but because of the winds it started late and we only did the main green trail that goes down under the lift. By the way, that would be a blue trail anywhere else in case you have beginners in your group.

I haven't been to a lot of places, but Whiteface is my favorite mountain in the East. Have fun.

I am a still trying to pick a place for this weekend. I might end up there also.

 

[SKidds]

I agree with most of what tj67 said, except maybe the moguls part....but he is there much more than I am. That said, we do MLK weekend every year and this is what we've found:

Excelsior and the one blue run from the top of the gondi are one in the same. Best to hit it early, but that doesn't mean you have to avoid it for the rest of the day. While it may be skied off a bit in places by the afternoon, it usually has very good coverage and the "crowds" will be gone by 2:30/3:00.

No, the Slides won't be open this early. Think April for those.

a) the WC skiercross is new, but WC Freestyle on MLK weekend isn't. I'll miss the moguls competition this year. There may be some crowds associated with the event, but they shouldn't impact your mountain experience too much (other than Lower Valley being closed).

b)on the moguls front, Lower Mac is open, and should have decent bumps. Sometimes not on the heels of the freeze end of a thaw/freeze cycle but we don't have to worry about that this weekend, but otherwise they are good if they are open. No seeds, natural all the way. Now it's the amount of moguls to be found on the rest of the mountain I might disagree with. I love moguls and have found that WF is lacking in that department almost all the times we go, unless it's after a decent snowfall. Lower Cloudspin will have some ok moguls, maybe. Lower Skyward, if it's open. But those both can be hit or miss and depend upon when it was last groomed. Other expert trails get moguls time to time, but not consistently enough, IMHO. If you want sustained moguls where you can rip the zipper line, Lower Mac is probably your only option.

c) sharp edges are always a good thing at WF, although I don't mean that as a knock on the mountain.

d) holiday crowds at WF aren't like holiday crowds most places. Sure, the parking will fill up and the lodges will be crowded. But the lifts and slopes......not so much. Ski the upper mountain and avoid the gondi if you want to avaoid lines. But even on the gondi midday you usually don't see a line longer than 15 minutes.

Can't help you as much as others with the rest of your questions. Have a great weekend, we'll be there!

 

[babu]

Hello!!!
First post here...

Just wanted to say that I booked a trip to Whiteface for mid-february...can't wait to try it. I keep hearing a lot of different opinions about this place, so most probably I'll have to see it for myself. But all info is welcome. Cheers!

 

[campgottagopee]

Hey all - I'm headed to Whiteface for the weekend, looking for advice. Have only been there once before, and feel like I missed most of what the mountain had to offer as a result of lack of knowledge, bad weather, and skiing with some n00bs who needed coddling.

I read a couple of old threads, incl. a good one started by Kingslug back in 2006, but I was wondering if anyone had any updated advice on Whiteface. From what I've read, I've taken the following kernals to heart:
i) I should avoid Excelsior after 9 am;
ii) I should avoid the 1 blue run (name?) from the top of Little Whiteface any time after 9ish in the morning to avoid crowds;
iii) The Slides will not be open;
iv) Ski blacks to avoid crowds

Anything else to know? Some questions:

a) I know the World Cup Skiercross event is this weekend. Any tips on how to navigate that? It seems to be a first time event...
b) Also, does anyone know if there are open bump runs right now? Worth bringing the Mambas?
c) How about the snow quality? Do I need to get my edges sharpened? I know Iceface is just a convenient moniker used by naysayers, but the only other trip I've taken was a rather icy one.
d) Obviously I am expecting holiday crowds. Any tips, other than the ones above, on how to navigate the crowds?
e) What time do lifts open? It seems from the website they may roll open at different times. Also, anyone ever signed up for the First Tracks program?
f) Anyone ever stay at the Mirror Lake Lodge? This is where we are staying.
g) Anyone ever been curling before? I think we are getting a lesson.
h) Anyone ever gone down the Bobsled course before? I think we are doing that too.
i) Where is a good place to drink good beer in Lake Placid?
j) Where is a good place to eat good/cheap food?

My buddy is totally hooking us up through his job. He owed me one from last season (I invited him when one of our family friends was hosting us at their huge ski house/Stratton Mountain Club for a free ski weekend) so he is hooking me up with free lodging at the Mirror Lake Lodge, and then 3 days of lift tickets, + access to all the weekend's races/aerials, + the curling lesson, + the bobsled ride, all for $190. I'm pretty excited.

Thanks in advance for any help and guidance!

TJ and HPD answered your questions but I have 1 thing to add---go check out the ski jumps---i go every time I'm up there just to see if anyone is practicing and if they are it's a real treat. Those dudes have major balls----I too would reccomend the Pub for beers!!

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

TJ and HPD answered your questions but I have 1 thing to add---go check out the ski jumps---i go every time I'm up there just to see if anyone is practicing and if they are it's a real treat. Those dudes have major balls----I too would reccomend the Pub for beers!!

Speaking of the Jumping Complex

Aerial Competition - Olympic Jumping Complex - this Sunday nite will be very entertaining:


1:30 pm - 2:30pm - Women's Aerials Qualifications, Olympic Jumping Complex

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm - Men's Aerials Qualifications, Olympic Jumping Complex

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm – LIVE music, Peter Price and Moon Boot Lover, Olympic Jumping Complex

7:40 pm - 8:10 pm - Women's Aerial Finals, Olympic Jumping Complex

8:15 pm - 8.45 pm - Men's Aerial Finals, Olympic Jumping

 

[jaywbigred]

Thanks for all the info guys. Sounds like its not worth bringing the mogul skis. Will def. get edges sharpened.

I've been to the ski jumps twice now, once as a kid during a long weekend skiing at Gore and also 2 summers ago after camping on Saranac Lake. Those guys have MAJOR nuts. I'd never do that.

I think part of my buddy's deal includes entrance to all the events, so there is a good chance we will check out the aerials (prob the finals) if its above 10 degrees. Otherwise, we will be inside, drankin' by a fire somewhere.

 

[Kerovick]

I'm a big fan of Adirondack steak and seafoods' beer. They brew it onsite. I make a point of stopping by for a pint every year when I go up there.

http://www.greatadirondacksteakandseafood.com/

 

[evantrentful]

Like the others said Whiteface shouldnt be to crowded, their holiday weekends are probably more like a typical weekend in the more southern resorts.

Its a great mountain, I think alot of times really underreated for the interesting terrain it has and the fact the gondi alone will give you access to nearly 50% greater single-lift vertical than anyother mountain on the east coast. Its great if you like nice long runs.

I use to ski there 4-5 times a week in college (graduated last year). I really miss it... if its ok to miss a mountain? haha, thats just how much I liked it

Enjoy your trip!

 

[tjf67]

I'm a big fan of Adirondack steak and seafoods' beer. They brew it onsite. I make a point of stopping by for a pint every year when I go up there.

http://www.greatadirondacksteakandseafood.com/

Steak and Seafood has the best breakfast in town. Its a must eat in the morning. Lunch is very good to. Dinner is good, I guess I am getting cheap in my older years. I would also throw out there Milano's. I forgot about that place but its got a great vibe and the fodd is execellent.

 

[tjf67]

BTW there are so many world class events going on this weekend up here you would be hard pressed to catch them all and fit some skiing in.

 

[campgottagopee]

Would love to check out that skier cross w/ Rhalves--that dude rocks it

 

[L2RAFO]

Wow, that was the most non-Face bashing thread I've ever seen over here.

Very nice.

Haven't been here in a while, but Happy Holidays, and hope all is well with y'all.

The only thing I can add ( and I apologize if this is a repeat, but I was a little lax in the scan ), you definitely want to take the time to do the bobsled gig.

I did it last season, and thought it was going to be one of those ho-hum tourista deals. But, as I work at the mountain, and it's part of our perk program, I figured I'd give it a go.

Well, let me tell ya', it's no ho-hum tourista deal.

They start you half way down the course, and the first few turns are smooth, and easy.

Then things move WAY beyond normal, and you get what the sport is all about.

I'm not going to say anymore because I don't want to ruin your experience, but, I say again, you don't want to take a pass on this one.

Have a great one, and I assure you you're heading to a very special place.

p.s.- As far as the malt beverage, you should stop by Lake Placid Pub and Brewery. If you're a Pale Ale guy go at the Frosbite. WAY TASTY!!!