The fun doesn't end after you finish up on the slopes for the day. That's where apres ski activities come in. The areas surrounding Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid and Holiday Valley in Ellicottville offer endless post-ski excitement. From trying your hand at bobsledding to unwinding with a massage, here are the best apres ski activities in New York!
Lake Placid, a famous Olympic location, gives you the opportunity to feel what it would be like to be in the games. Their bobsledding experience lets you ride with a professional driver and brakeman as you wind your way through Olympic twists and turns, experiencing the track that athletes around the world know and love.
Top of the Park is open until midnight, and their top floor location provides you with spectacular views. They serve signature cocktails, spirits, and wines, and have a craft beer lineup that changes seasonally. Although their bartenders can make you any one of your favorite drinks, their specialties are unique to them. Enjoy cocktails like an Espresso Russian, Orange Blossom Martini, and Top’s Old Fashioned.
View this post on Instagram
Smoke Signals has gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options available, making this the perfect spot for the whole crowd. Their menu features homemade starters, like Korean BBQ mini tacos and signature rib nachos; award-winning wings in six different flavors; and (of course) BBQ classics like beef brisket, pulled pork, baby back ribs, and brisket burnt ends.
If you’re an active soul, you’ll want to keep the momentum going after hopping off the trails. There’s no better way to do so than to try out fat tire biking. There are many notable trails in Lake Placid, however a popular winter spot is on the shore of Lake Placid on the Brewster Peninsula Trails. Rentals, guides, and information are all available at High Peaks Cyclery where you can choose from half-day, full-day, or two-day options. Glide through the snowy trails with ease and enjoy the scenes all around you.
The spa at Whiteface Lodge is the perfect spot to relax and unwind if your muscles are feeling tight after a day of activity. Condé Nast Traveler ranked them as one of the Top 100 Spas in North America, and the spa’s blend of rustic beauty and serene ambiance live up to the title. Three luxurious spa packages are available for you to choose from: Rustic Romance, Spa Escape, and Ultimate Luxury.
View this post on Instagram
Holiday Valley Ski Resort has a snow tubing park with 22 lanes, three of which are group lanes. This activity allows you to enjoy the snow while giving your feet and arms a break—all you have to do is sit down and hang tight. Their brand-new conveyor lift brings you back up the hill, so there’s no need to worry about going down 900-foot lanes (at a 100-foot vertical drop) and having to trek all the way back.
Ellicottville is the flagship location for the Ellicottville Brewing Co. As such, it’s home to their brewery—which means you can head down after a day on the slopes, tour the facility, and knock back a few drinks with some friends. Their tours can accommodate any size group, and you’ll get the chance to see the behind-the-scenes operations. Ellicottville Brewing Co. has a selection of seasonal bottles for you to try, too!
View this post on Instagram
Balloons is Ellicottville’s only night club. They have a new line-up every week and a calendar on their website, so you can check ahead to see who’s playing when you’ll be in town! Balloons has a selection of food and drink for you to have alongside the show, including options like Buffalo-style wings, Bavarian pretzels, tacos, flatbread pizzas, and poutine (potatoes fried to perfection cloaked in gravy, fresh mozzarella, and cheese curd).
View this post on Instagram
Ready for some horseback riding through the wintery fields? About 10 miles from Holiday Valley you’ll find this horse ranch in the town of Salamanca. The amazing people at the Crosspatch, Jim and Dolly Little, have been in the horse business for over 40 years and put all of their focus into helping people achieve their horse-riding dreams! They have plenty of options all lead by local guides like the Pub ride, where you’ll ride a trusty stead to the beloved Little Valley spot Hughes Hotel for well-deserved drinks and grub after a day of skiing. Check out their options, call and make a reservation!
One of Holiday Valley Ski Resort’s big attractions that draws in people from all over the country is the Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster. Operating Friday through Sunday in the winter season, you can zig and zag your way down the mountain. With a track over 4,800 feet long, and uphill and downhill portions, your adrenaline-junkie self will be giddy with excitement! After skiing down Holiday Valley’s trails, it’ll be nice to see the gorgeous mountainous views from a different perspective.
