newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB WILLIAMS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

SKIING, SNOWBOARDING AND TRAVEL

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – You may be turning your attention to the upcoming winter season, but make no mistake – there’s still plenty of autumn fun ahead here in the Adirondacks.

The change in colors, from the greens of summer to the brilliant reds, oranges and yellows of fall, draws thousands of leaf lovers – and fall vacationers – to this quaint hamlet, which is synonymous with skiing and winter snowsports. And, believe it or not, there was even real live ski jumping last weekend from the 90-meter Olympic jump at nearby Mt. Van Hoevenberg. But more about October ski jumping later in the story.

“It’s the perfect time of year for hiking, rock climbing, fly fishing, even rowing and kayaking on the lake,” says Cathie Cusick of the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa a vacation fixture here at the edge of town. “There’s so much outdoor activity here in the fall that a visitor who arrives by car doesn’t use the vehicle until he leaves. What’s more, our fall-like weather beats the summer heat.”

Although this Adirondack village is chock full of small motels and motor lodges, it’s the Mirror Lake Inn that’s the oldest and largest in town. Built in 1883 as a private home, it opened to guests in 1924 and was purchased by the current owners, Edwin and Lisa Weibrecht, in 1976. The Inn sits on seven acres on a hilltop overlooking the Adirondack high peaks and Mirror Lake. It boasts a seven-building complex of 100 guest rooms and 31 suites with 27 working fireplaces throughout; and an indoor pool and heated outdoor pool overlooking the lake. It is the only Lake Placid resort with concierge guide service.

In addition, its new Colonial House on the shores of Mirror Lake has 11 luxurious suites featuring cathedral ceilings, stone fireplaces, private porches and over-sized bathrooms with in-floor heating. And its new Lake Cottage sits directly on Mirror Lake. Each of its eight guest rooms features intricate stonework, wainscoting and fireplaces.

Interestingly, the Mirror Lake Inn bans the use of cell phones in its dining room, lounge, living room, library, pool areas, beach, spa, hallways and other common areas. This, the resort says, is “to maintain the peaceful ambiance that everyone has come to expect.”

Cusick points out that the resort provides just about every autumn activity, including paddle boating, row boating and canoeing, hiking the Adirondack high peaks (a six million acre wilderness) and trout fishing, with the Adirondacks, of course, offering some of the country’s best fly fishing.

“We like to talk about our special trout fishing trip each day to a secret spot,” she explains, noting that trout fishing continues here in the Adirondacks through October. “Our guide sets you up with all the equipment and takes you to the fishing hole. And, yes, you do come back with fish!”

Cusick says that, although summer is the busiest time here at Lake Placid, fall and winter are becoming just as popular.

“For one thing, we notice these days that older couples have gotten the children back to college so they can come and relax themselves,” she explains. “And with the economy the way it is, and air travel becoming more of a hassle, a growing number of people are vacationing closer to home.”

Cusick says that most guests hail from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Fall weather seems to be another reason a growing number of vacationers head for this tradition summer resort.