Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway

Schedule

Before Arrival

Please note that there is a 70 car max capacity and we will have limited services at the Veterans’ Memorial Highway. The following will not be available: hiking on the Nature Trail to the summit, elevator access; and food and beverage, retail and restrooms in the Castle. We do ask that all guests have face coverings and plan ahead for the limited services at the top.

The Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway will open for the season with limited operations, a 70 car max capacity, and the guidelines listed below.

Face Masks REQUIRED
NO summit access
NO elevator
NO castle
NO hiking

Masks are required at all venues, please know all our safety precautions before your visit, check out our safety page.

Check the Updates section of the homepage here prior to your visit. It is sometimes the case in the winter season that the Cloudsplitter Gondola is open only to skiers and riders due to weather conditions, in which case foot passengers are not allowed admittance. This information is always listed under Alerts on the Conditions page as these closures occur during the winter season.

History

Pre-dating the ski area by about 20 years, the road to the summit was dedicated by Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1929 and opened in 1936 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. “This is a tribute from the citizens of the state of New York which would be appreciated by those fallen comrades of ours who served their state and their nation so well. It is fitting that we should dedicate it in their names. It will stand as a tribute to them through all the centuries to come.” (Dedication Address, September 1935). The elevator, Castle and Summit House were completed three years later. In 1985 New York State Governor Mario Cuomo rededicated the Whiteface Memorial Highway to veterans of all wars. Natural wildflowers grow roadside, serving as a living museum of forest ecology, all of which is built upon the over one billion-year-old Anorthosite bedrock boulders. Along the way up are nine designated spots where you are encouraged to stop, enjoy the views, and discover more about the mountain surroundings from the posted information signs.

The Toll House Area

An alpine-style gatehouse constructed in 1934 and Lake Stevens—a small, pristine pond—gives the Highway its picturesque start. Named for 1932 Olympian bobsledder Hubert Stevens, Lake Stevens is stocked annually to provide fishing opportunities—particularly for children and visitors with disabilities—through its scenic beauty and picnic areas ought to be enjoyed by all. The Lake Stevens Tree Trail offers a self-guided, 10-minute walk around the pond, where you’ll find many species of trees native to the northern Adirondacks.

Dining

4610′ Grill

The highest Food Truck in New York, 4610′ Grill offers all your favorites in the spectacular scenery, situated at the amazing elevation of 4,610 feet, savor the gourmet rustic cuisine our talented chefs have prepared for you. While you’re their grab, souvenirs and gifts from the Olympic Sites that will provide lasting memories of your Adirondack vacation.