The parents of one of my friends live in Lake Placid, so we decided to go up to Whiteface and bike this weekend. Because of a lack of riders (I think there were about 10 people total riding the mountain), Whiteface almost didn't open their gondola this year for biking. But, thanks to the guys who run the on mountain bike shop and some petitions, the state allowed them to open. It would be a shame if they would have closed, it's a really nice place to ride, albiet a little out of the way.
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I've never been there in the winter, but I've biked there twice. There's 2500 vert. ft of biking, which beats anyplace on the EC that I know of by a long shot. We only made 5 runs, but were pretty worn out by the end of the day. The upper part of the mountain is steep, has a lot of switch backs and is super fun techy riding. It's rooty, rocky, and both times I've been there, wet. Not the hardest stuff I've ridden, but you have to pay attention. The lower mountain is flatter, with some riding on ski runs and other trails though the trees. For the most part, you can really fly from about midway down. There's virtually nothing in terms of bridges or other freeride stuff, but right now there's only 2 guys maintaining the whole trail system. From what they were saying, they've got a lot planned for next year if they're allowed to run again.
Me on a little drop at the midstation chalet
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After the shop at the base closed up, we went up for a last run with a big group of guys (who ironically are from the same area of NY as I'm living right now) and the two people running the shop. We hit parts of what is going to be a dh course in September (looks like a fun, very long course). After riding, we drove down the road a ways to a place called the Flume, where you can jump off some cliffs into some nice cool water. It's a nice way to finish a hot day of riding...
The group
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