Getting around Lake Placid from The Whiteface Lodge

The Whiteface Lodge provides a complimentary area shuttle that links the property with downtown Lake Placid and its private Canoe Club beach; many local attractions require a short drive. For trips farther afield (Whiteface Mountain, Ausable Chasm, regional airports) plan to use the lodge shuttle when available, a rental car, or prearranged taxi/charter — ride-share is sparse in the region.
In this guide
Hotel shuttles and on-site transport
The Whiteface Lodge runs a complimentary area shuttle for guests that serves downtown Lake Placid and the private Canoe Club beach on Paradox Bay. Shuttle service is a convenient option for short trips when it is operating.
A premium airport shuttle and other private transfers are available by advance reservation through the lodge; confirm rates and availability with Front Desk or Reservations before arrival.
- Complimentary area shuttle to town and the Canoe Club
- Premium airport shuttle and private transfer options by reservation
- Shuttle schedules and availability can vary; check with Front Desk
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Complimentary area shuttle | Covers town and Canoe Club; schedule varies |
| Premium airport shuttle | Available by advance reservation |
| Private sedan/charter | Reserve through lodge; capacity and price vary |

Getting to downtown Lake Placid
Downtown Lake Placid (Main Street, Mirror Lake, Olympic sites) is a short drive from the lodge; the property notes it is close to town but not directly within walking distance. The lodge shuttle is often the easiest way to reach downtown if it is running.
If the shuttle is not available, taxis and local car services are commonly used. Ride-share options (Uber/Lyft) are sparse in the region, so plan ahead especially during peak events or off-season.
- Complimentary shuttle when operating — check Front Desk
- Taxis and local car services available by phone/reservation
- Placid XPRSS trolley runs free around town (within Village limits)
| Destination | Typical transport |
|---|---|
| Main Street / Mirror Lake | Shuttle, taxi, or short drive |
| Lake Placid Olympic Complex | Shuttle or taxi; short drive |
| Local trolley (Placid XPRSS) | Free within village — use for in-town stops |
Reaching Whiteface Mountain and other outdoor sites
Whiteface Mountain is about a 20-minute drive from The Whiteface Lodge. The lodge offers assistance with ski storage and can help with tour or ticket planning for the mountain.
A seasonal Mountain Valley Shuttle (mid-December to mid-March) connects Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain; check current seasonal schedules before you go. For other outdoor destinations (High Falls Gorge, Ausable Chasm), driving or arranged excursions are the usual options.
- Whiteface Mountain ~20 minutes by car from the lodge
- Mountain Valley Shuttle runs seasonally (mid-Dec–mid-Mar) with stops in Lake Placid and Wilmington
- Front Desk can help with ski storage and tour/ticket arrangements
| Outdoor spot | How to get there |
|---|---|
| Whiteface Mountain | Drive (~20 min) or seasonal shuttle |
| High Falls Gorge | Drive (about 15–20 min) |
| Ausable Chasm | Drive (about 1 hour) |
Mirror Lake, Canoe Club, and boating
The Whiteface Lodge's private Canoe Club on Paradox Bay is about one mile from the main lodge and reachable by the complimentary beach shuttle. The Canoe Club offers direct lake access and non-motorized boats managed by the lodge.
Mirror Lake in downtown Lake Placid is also nearby (about 0.3 miles per third-party sources) and is popular for kayaking, paddleboarding, and the public beach. The lodge can arrange rentals and day-boat reservations (classic Hacker-Craft, pontoon, Ski Nautique) through the Front Desk.
- Canoe Club: private, ~1 mile, shuttle service from the lodge
- Mirror Lake: popular public beach and paddling spot, nearby
- Boat reservations (Hacker-Craft, pontoon, ski boat) available via Front Desk
| Lake spot | Access from lodge |
|---|---|
| Canoe Club (Paradox Bay) | Complimentary shuttle; hotel-managed lake access |
| Mirror Lake | Short drive or shuttle to downtown public beach |

Car rental, taxis, and ride options
Car rentals are available locally (examples include Adirondack Rental Cars and Adirondack Auto Rentals) and are useful if you want full flexibility to explore the region. The nearest commercial airport is Adirondack Regional Airport (SLK) in Saranac Lake.
Because ride-share services are limited in the region, you may prefer to reserve taxis, car services, or a rental in advance, especially for airport transfers or evening travel.
- Local car-rental companies serve Lake Placid — reserve early in peak season
- Taxis and local car services operate in the area; arrange ahead when possible
- Ride-share (Uber/Lyft) is sparse — do not rely on it for critical transfers
| Use case | Recommended option |
|---|---|
| Airport transfer from SLK | Lodge premium shuttle or private transfer |
| Exploring region (Ausable Chasm, Saranac Lake) | Rental car |
| Short in-town trips | Lodge shuttle or taxi |
On-site parking, valet, and luggage logistics
The Whiteface Lodge provides free self parking and valet options; the property also has an electric car charging station. Public day-parking is available on-site without prior reservation.
Check-in at The Whiteface Lodge is typically 4:00 PM and check-out is typically 11:00 AM. Early or late check-in/check-out can be requested but are subject to availability — contact Front Desk or Reservations in advance for arrangements.
- Free self parking and valet available
- Electric car charging station on property
- Check-in typically 4:00 PM; check-out typically 11:00 AM
| Need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Luggage assistance | Ask Bell/Front Desk at arrival |
| Early/late check-in/out | Request in advance; subject to availability and fees |
| Parking | Free self-park; valet available |
Rooms, suites and getting settled
The Whiteface Lodge is an all-suite property with a range of room types. If you need a specific layout for family travel or special needs, request it when booking and confirm at check-in.
The Front Desk can advise about elevator access, accessible rooms, and on-site service to help with luggage and orientation to the property.
- Room types include Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Suite (2 and 3 Bedrooms), Presidential Suite, Junior Room, and Clubhouse suites
- All rooms are non-smoking; property is wheelchair accessible with an elevator and accessible parking
- Free Wi‑Fi is provided in rooms
| Room name | Beds (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Superior Room, 1 Bedroom | 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Sofa Bed |
| Deluxe Room, 1 Bedroom | 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Junior Room | 1 Queen Bed |



