Adirondack Olympus
New York is said to have more skiers than any other state. What’s weird is how few of them make it to their very own, state-operated Whiteface. Sure, it’s a little far, but all the more beautiful for that. Its vertical drop (3,430 feet) is the longest in the East. And Lake Placid, 15 minutes away, is easily one of North America’s most charming ski towns. On top of all that, it hosted two Winter Olympics. Memories of the last are still vivid: Eric Heiden, Herb Brooks, the Mahre brothers. As winter playgrounds go, it’s pretty hard to beat.