These perfect Adirondack gifts are truly out of the box
Each holiday season, we all want to give something distinctive, something special. Something that reflects the uniqueness of the recipient and brings them perfect, lasting joy. When it comes to shopping in Lake Placid, with its rich variety of handcrafted gifts, galleries, and boutiques, it’s pretty easy to get the holidays right. And yet there is a way to take gift giving to the next level of “wow” and give a gift that really makes an impact.
This year, give the gift of a Lake Placid and High Peaks experience.
Whether your loved one is a foodie, adrenaline junkie, or stay-cozy-by-the-fire type, the gift of a unique experience or adventure is the perfect way to celebrate the spirit of the holidays and, best of all, lets the recipient create amazing memories that will last forever. If you're lucky, they might even bring you along! Here are some of our top choices for experiential gifts.
Lake Placid Legacy Sites Passport
Inspire the receiver to get into the Olympic spirit with a summer or winter Legacy Sites Passport! These passports provide admission to Lake Placid’s world-class sports venues, including the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena where the famous "Miracle on Ice" took place—talk about inspriring! The passport covers some of the activities the venues offer, like Cloudsplitter Gondola rides at Whiteface Mountain, as well as discounts off others. Admission to select special events is also included, as are discounts at Olympic shops and restaurants. With passports free for children under 6, this is a great family gift!
Bonus: Add in a visit to the exhilarating Sky Flyer Zipline at the Olympic Jumping Complex!
Ahhh, spa!
Whether you’re treating a hard-working parent or simply want to spoil your significant other, a visit to one of Lake Placid’s elegant spas is a supremely luxurious gift. Options range from full-day escapes to half-hour and hour-long treatments that add a dash of tranquility to any day. Many services offer treatments unique to the Adirondacks and its rich legacy of healing, or you can opt for a value-based gift certificate and let them pick their own perfect pampering!
Bonus: Add in a candle-making class at Pure Placid, where relaxing scents soothe the senses and provide a great treat to take home.
See you on the slopes
For the skier or rider in your life, those people whose ideal winter days are measured by first chairs and bluebird skies, Whiteface Mountain cannot be missed. Lift tickets and season passes tucked into stockings are sure to bring downhill bliss, thrills, and the excitement of outdoor adventure. Host of skiing events at the 1980 Winter Olympic, Whiteface boasts the greatest vertical in the east and on mountain amenities to round out a perfect day on the slopes. But don't be intimidated by its legacy and size—Whiteface has tons of friendly greens and cruisy blues for newer skiers. You could even buy them their first ski lesson at the Bear Den Learning Center and end up gifting a lifetime love of a classic winter pastime!
Guided adventures
If you've ever wished you could give someone an entire Adirondack peak to hike or a sparkling, quiet lake to paddle, guess what? You can! Kind of. Treat your favorite adventurer to the special experience of an outing with a licensed guide!
This is an ideal way to up the ante for experienced outdoorspeople or a provide an informed intro to a new sport. Tap into local guides' experience, love for the Adirondacks, and eye for safety to bring any adventure—in any season—to the next level for a specialized gift.
Summer awaits!
Warm up winter with a gift that will leave your recipient eager for those long summer days to arrive!
The newly completed Adirondack Rail Trail, which stretches 34 miles from Lake Placid all the way to Tupper Lake, is a great way to enjoy local scenery, wildlife, and outdoor activities. Make it easy as can be with a gift certificate for a bike or e-bike rental! Bike Lake Placid, High Peaks Cyclery, and Placid Planet all offer bike rentals, and their helpful staff will get your gift recipient rolling on two wheels in no time, even if it's been a while—as they say, it's just like riding a bike!
Bonus: Giving the gift of the Rail Trail? Include a visit to The Wild Center in Tupper Lake! An interactive natural history museum, it's a can't-miss Adirondack attraction.
Shop local, #ShopADK
If the gift of a Lake Placid experience seems like the perfect thing for the people on your list, purchase a gift certificate online or call the outfitter directly to set up a personalized package.
Your gift doesn't just make the recipient happy; it also helps support the many small businesses in our region. The Lake Placid and High Peaks experience is authentic, with stores, outfitters, and attractions owned and operated by Adirondack locals. Your support and decision to #ShopADK mean a lot to our communities.
While you're here, enjoy the best that early winter has to offer: skating on the Olympic Oval, fireside dinners, and special events like the Holiday Village Stroll. No one does winter better than Lake Placid, so join us to explore the best of it!