ORDA Accessibility

The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) aims to ensure venues are accessible and inclusive for all. As a global leader in developing and maintaining the highest quality venues for winter sport and recreation, the Olympic Authority meets or exceeds all ADA requirements for accessibility.

Along with major recent investments to upgrade all venues, the Olympic Authority team incorporated accessibility into the design of its new and improved facilities.

The Olympic Authority is committed to ensuring venues are accessible for all people. In addition to entrances and access, visitors may notice thoughtful design in restrooms, signage, spectator seating areas, dining facilities, service counters, website features, and other elements critical for accessibility.

Navigate through the tabbed content to find key details for visitors with disabilities to know when accessing activities and events at the venue:

Whiteface Accessibility

Whiteface strives to ensure reasonable access for our guests to enjoy our facilities and programs. Whiteface allows using adaptive devices or other manually powered mobility aids on the slopes. Whiteface also offers adaptive lessons & equipment to individuals with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities.

Main Base Lodge

The Base Lodge at Whiteface offers parking for visitors with disabilities just outside the main entrance. There is a ramp to the right of the main entrance, offering wheelchair access to the building.

Just inside the main entrance, there is a ramp providing access to the equipment rental shop as well as the main floor and elevator. The elevator on the main floor provides access to the second, third, and fourth floors.

Winter Season/Adaptive Lessons

The Adaptive Lesson Program at Whiteface is designed for individuals of all ages with cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities that want to participate in outdoor sports. Our programs are for the development of every level of sport and we encourage anyone interested to enjoy all that Whiteface has to offer. Whiteface Snowsports School is a nationally recognized PSIA-AASI member school. We have certified instructors offering higher performance and impeccable guest satisfaction.

Non-Winter Operations

Whiteface is open to the general public during the summer and fall (May through October).

Our eight-passenger Cloudsplitter Gondola Rides provide an accessible ride to the top of Little Whiteface. We also have an elevator at the top of the Veterans’ Memorial Highway that takes guests from the parking area at the base of the castle to the summit of Whiteface Mountain. Both the Cloudsplitter Gondola and the Elevator at the Veterans’ Memorial Highway are subject to substitution without notice due to heat index, maintenance and other safety variables.

We also offer an accessible scenic shuttle service from the base of the slopes to the top of the mountain via the iconic Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway. This shuttle climbs over 3,300 vertical feet all the way to the summit area of New York’s fifth-highest peak; see shuttle schedule here.

Bear Den Learning Center

In front of the Bear Den Learning Center is a drop off zone and parking for persons with disabilities and an entrance without stairs. Inside the entrance is an elevator that provides access to the Bear Den Market and Growler’s Grill level. Staff assistance is required for the elevator.

Visitors may call 518-946-2223 for any questions or additional assistance.

Digital Accessibility

ADA Website Policy: The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for everyone at all abilities. We are continually improving the user experience and updating the relevant accessibility standards.

Conformance status: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA and Level AAA. The Olympic Authorities websites currently conform with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard.

Feedback

We welcome your feedback on the accessibly of Olympic Authority venues & websites. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers or have any suggestions

Accessibility Contact Form

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