“How to put it into words? The scenery, the setting, the gardens…it’s all simply breathtaking.”, “Whiteface Club & Resort has without a doubt, the most majestic panoramic view of any wedding ceremony venue in the country.” These are just a few of endless 5-star reviews you’ll find online for the Whiteface Club & Resort in Lake Placid.
“Whiteface Club & Resort has without a doubt, the most majestic panoramic view of any wedding ceremony venue in the country.”The Adirondack Region’s longest-running resort community has announced that all of its amenities are now being offered as Northern New York advances through the four phases of reopening in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. The North Country is now in phase three with the fourth and final phase slated for June 26.
One of the Most Sophisticated Resorts in the Country
Located on the shore of picturesque Lake Placid with Whiteface Mountain looming in the background, this place in the Adirondacks is unsurpassed in its beauty. It was on this shore in 1882 that Oliver Abel built the Westside, a three-story inn with 40 rooms for summer guests. This was the beginning of what would become the Whiteface Inn and Resort, one of the oldest, most celebrated, and most sophisticated resorts in the country.
Whiteface Inn and Resort, one of the oldest, most celebrated, and most sophisticated resorts in the country.
Whiteface Resort is Now Offering all its Amenities.The resort became quite large and prosperous thanks to the growth of the grand hotels built in the last half of the 19th century. The Adirondacks, and Lake Placid in particular, were the home of a few of America’s first golf courses. Although golf was perhaps played informally at Whiteface, probably in 1896 and 1897, it was formally founded and recognized by the USGA in 1898.
As the resort business grew stronger during the years, Whiteface continued to prosper. There weren’t many resorts in the east that were better equipped for attracting travelers from all over the globe. Whiteface had its fair share of the rich and famous guests: King Peter of Yugoslavia, Governor Nathan Miller, Babe Ruth, Kate Smith, Perry Como, and Spencer Tracy to name just a few who frequently made the Whiteface Inn their vacation home.
The Adirondacks, and Lake Placid in particular, were the home of a few of America’s first golf courses.The beautiful 120-year-old property, on the edge of the village, provides its homeowners and guests many activities such as an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis center with six clay courts, waterfront complete with marina, cross country ski trails in the winter and two restaurants including the seasonal Moose Lodge Boathouse Restaurant which is located on the shores of Lake Placid providing panoramic views of the lake and Whiteface, the Olympic Mountain.
Amenities are Gradually Coming Online
All amenities have gradually come online, starting in May. Social distancing and all prescribed health precautions are being taken. As phase three started, Whiteface is expanding to inside seating opportunities while continuing to offer their outside dining at both their Cafe on the Green and Moose Lodge Boathouse Restaurant. Their tables are physically distanced and seating capacity is reduced by 50%. In addition, while Whiteface is serving all beverages, for the time being, they are not offering seating at the bar to ensure the health and safety of their patrons and staff.
The Moose Lodge Boathouse Restaurant. Tables are physically distanced and seating capacity is reduced by 50%.
The Harmony House.Café on the Green at the golf course is now open daily for lunch, while Moose Lodge is open for weekend dining service commencing at 3 PM. The Moose Lodge will expand to five days a week (Wednesday to Sunday) commencing June 14.
In 2015, the Whiteface Club and Resort embarked on the $45 million Forest Brook Estates subdivision, adjacent to its championship golf course. There are 22 lots in this neighborhood development ranging in size from one to three acres. Each provides panoramic views of the Southern Range of the Adirondack Mountains. Each homeowner is provided a full slate of services including lawn care, snow removal, garbage service and cold weather checks when homes are unoccupied as well as membership to the Club.
“We continue to get interest in Forest Brook from prospective clients who seek luxury in a peaceful, wooded setting,” said Mark Sperling, General Manager of the Whiteface Club Companies. “We’ve experienced steady growth over the past 17 years which we believe is a result of our commitment of financial and human resources to upgrade the amenities, services, and ambiance of this resort community.”
One of the 51 Photos That Prove America Truly is Beautiful
The Whiteface Club’s pristine Wedding Gardens, on the shore of the lake and with Whiteface Mountain as its backdrop, continue to be a significant asset to the resort operation. The matrimonial site draws rave reviews from couples on websites such as WeddingWire, while staff member Kristin Parker is ranked in the top five percent of wedding professionals on the same website.
Whiteface’s matrimonial site draws rave reviews from couples on websites such as WeddingWire, while staff member Kristin Parker is ranked in the top five percent of wedding professionals on the same website.The Whiteface Club’s presentation has drawn the attention of Country Living magazine on several occasions in recent years as one of 51 photos that prove America truly is beautiful. The Whiteface Club is a sister property to the AAA Four Diamond Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa, also in Lake Placid.
Whiteface Club and Resort also offers visitors the best variety in vacation rentals for the Lake Placid area; it’s the destination to help you find that perfect home or condominium enabling prospective guests to spend more time in Lake Placid. The choices range from beautiful Adirondack great camps and luxury homes to cozy cottages, townhomes, and condominiums, with panoramic lake, mountain, and/or golf course views. Most rental properties come with fireplaces and many include jacuzzi tubs.
The evolution of the Whiteface Club from its historical seasonal use as a hotel, to a year-round resort community, began in 1980 with the demolition of the Whiteface Inn and the construction of condominiums. Custom design homes are now being built in various neighborhood sub-divisions providing a range of homeowner opportunities.
“While we have a number of available custom home opportunities available, there is a finite number available through the building rights provided by a variety of permits issued by the Adirondack Park Agency and the Town of North Elba,” concluded Sperling.
More information can be obtained by directly contacting Mark Sperling at (518) 523-2551, or by visiting www.whitefaceclubresort.com.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram