Twice the site of the Winter Olympics, Lake Placid is world class competition center. Whiteface boasts the east's highest vertical drop (3,216 feet), but also harbors a reputation for being cold and icy. One advantage of being an Olympics center you try your hand at the activities you see on TV come the Winter Olympics. Lake Placid has facilities for tobogganing, bob sledding, luge riding, ice skating. You can even catch a hay ride or an international hockey match.

Gore appeals to the traditionalist. Even though Gore, like Placid, is operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority, it has a very different character than Placid. Gore's trail system is pleasantly tree-lined, with many twists and turns. Facilities include an excellent daycare for children and a lift system that offers glorious views.

If those two aren't enough for you, other Adirondack ski areas include McCauley Mountain, Oak Mountain, Big Tupper, Paleface and Hickory.

The Adirondacks offers plenty of ways for cross country skiers to hit the trail. Many of the Adirondacks superlative hiking trails do double duty in the winter. The Northville-Placid Trail has many skiable stretches. Old Forge is another excellent vicinity, and our eternal favorite, the Santanoni Preserve, is superbly skiable. If you like your skiing wild and wooly, the Cranberry Lake area challenges those with the best wilderness skills.