Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway

Schedule

SUMMER - HOURS OF OPERATION

Islands in the Sky Tour

Whiteface Islands in the Sky Tour will guide you through not just the History of the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway but richen you understanding of one of the rarest types of terrain in all of New York State, the alpine environment.

Knowledgeable guides will teach you about the Adirondack Park, the rock under your feet, the rare plants and fragile ground atop such mountains as Whiteface, as well as points of interest along the horizon.

Tour schedule

Monday-Friday only (June 29 – Sept 4):    10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:15pm, 4:15pm

Rate $20 per person

Tickets will be available online soon!

Rates

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 1935 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′ Café

The highest restaurant in New York, the 4610′ Café 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 there grab souvenirs and gifts from the Castle Gift Shop that will provide lasting memories of your Adirondack vacation.

Group Information

Group trips up the Veterans’ Memorial Highway are available by appointment only for groups of 20 or more people. Please fill out the form below for more information, rates, and to make a group reservation. Reservations are required for all groups and must be made at least 48 hours prior to the groups’ arrival.

* It is very important to come on time as there are other groups at the mountain! If you are running late please call the mountain and let us know so that we can do our best to accommodate you.

Whiteface Summit Shuttle

Take the ride of a lifetime, without having to drive.

Updated for this summer, your Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway admission can include a scenic shuttle service from the base of the slopes all the way to the summit area. Sit back, relax, and let us do the driving as you take in the stunning views on a journey that climbs over 3,300 vertical feet to the top of New York’s fifth-highest peak. The shuttle has limited capacity, reservations are strongly recommended.

This unforgettable 30-minute ride travels up the 8-mile-long historic highway, a route originally dedicated in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. As you wind past alpine meadows and expansive Adirondack vistas, your destination awaits: the upper parking area just below the summit. From there, you will have the ability to explore the incredible high-elevation landscape.

Highway Shuttle Schedule 2026 (Subject to change)

Guests can:

• Take in panoramic views stretching as far as Vermont and Canada on clear days.
• Climb the stone staircase to the summit for that true “top of the world” feeling.
• Ride the elevator through the heart of the mountain, a unique and accessible alternative to hiking.
• Visit the castle, a striking stone structure built from granite excavated during the road’s original construction!

After your summit trip, our shuttle will bring you back down to the base in time for your next adventure!

Shuttle Info

• Round-trip service from the Whiteface Base Lodge to the summit area
• Ride time: ~30 minutes each way
• Operates:
  • Daily: June 26 – October 12 (open Monday, October 12)
  • Service will be closed on July 19 (Ironman), Sept 26–27 (Oktoberfest), and Oct 2–4 (UCI)
• Capacity: 12 guests per shuttle (please call for larger groups)
• Booking online in advance is recommended as capacities are limited and will sell out quickly
• The bus will not be stopping along the way up unless for emergencies
• Weather and conditions apply
• Highway Shuttle service is NOT included in the Lake Placid Legacy Sites Passport
• Shuttle departs and returns from the Whiteface Ski Center Base Lodge 5021 NYS Route 86, Wilmington, NY 12997