Lake Placid’s High Peaks Resort – Where Vacations Blend with History

I live in New York State’s Adirondack Mountains half the year. Here, there are two semi-touristy places, Lake George Village and Lake Placid. I’ll always have a soft spot for slightly tacky Lake George Village because my dad took the family there every July 4th for fireworks. He’d yell, over and over, “Thank you, Thomas Jefferson! Thank you, Benjamin Franklin!” However, far greener and atmospheric, Lake Placid feels genuine and provides a real sense of community. And it’s home to a really fun, unassuming place to stay, the sprawling High Peaks Resort. But more than just a fun getaway location, the land it sits upon boasts an amazing history dating back to 1850.

The History of Lake Placid’s High Peaks Resort

On the shores of Mirror Lake, where the Adirondack high peaks rise like ancient sentinels, stands a modern resort with a secret. The land beneath High Peaks Resort has welcomed travelers for over 175 years. What began as a simple cow pasture has witnessed one of America’s most remarkable stories of continuous hospitality. From Lake Placid’s first inn to today’s luxury resort experience, this single plot of prime real estate serves as a window into American tourism history.

Through economic booms and busts, the rise and fall of grand hotels, two Winter Olympics, and the evolution from stagecoach to automobile to interstate highway travel, this property has adapted and endured. Today, High Peaks Resort stands as the latest chapter in a story that began when two farmers found themselves overwhelmed by visitors seeking respite in the mountains.

Early Settlement and Development

The story of High Peaks Resort begins with the early settlement of what is now Lake Placid. In 1800, there was no Lake Placid. The vast tract was part of Elizabethtown, and tiny settlements each bore names that were germane to them. The tableland that welcomes visitors to Lake Placid was called the Plains of Abraham.

In the 1840s, in New York, African American men were required to own $250 worth of land to claim and exercise their right to vote. To meet these requirements, abolitionist Gerrit Smith donated 120,000 acres of land, divided into 40-acre parcels, to 3,000 free Black families with the hope of establishing an African American electorate. John Brown and his family arrived in 1849 to assist the colony, 10 years before his infamous raid on Harper’s Ferry. These early Black settlers had little experience farming the craggy landscape of the Adirondack Mountains. The colony, initially called Timbuctoo, was short-lived.

Accidental Innkeepers

After the failure of Timbuctoo, Gerrit Smith put his land up for sale. In 1850, Joseph Nash and Benjamin Brewster bought adjoining plots – the same land where High Peaks Resort stands today. Joseph Nash built his red house as a homestead that soon became the first boarding house for travelers to Lake Placid. Before Joseph Nash died in 1884, he sold off pieces of his real estate. On each parcel, another hotel was built. All of the new hotels—intended for summer use only—were built between 1871 and 1886 and were intended for summer use only.

This era coincided with the development of the “Great Camp” style in the Adirondacks when wealthy New York City families of the 19th century would “vacate” the sweltering heat for greener pastures, mountain peaks, and large, lavish compounds called Great Camps, outfitted with bespoke rustic furnishings hewn from the Adirondack forests. Most of the hotels were eventually destroyed by fire – not surprising, considering the combination of building materials (wood), gas lights, and open fireplaces. The age of great hotels drew to an end, hastened by the inventions of the motor car, the airplane, and air conditioning.

From Class to Mass: 1950s-1970s

The mid-20th century brought dramatic changes to Lake Placid’s tourism landscape as vacation travel evolved from an elite privilege to a middle-class expectation. This transformation was accelerated by the development of the Interstate Highway System, which spurred tourism development throughout the region. The Adirondack Northway (I-87) opened in 1967, making Lake Placid significantly more accessible to visitors from major metropolitan areas.

Throughout this transformative period, the Roland family continued to operate the Homestead Inn until 1979. Maintaining the family business for over five decades, they preserved the legacy of hospitality that began with Joseph Nash’s accidental foray into innkeeping. The Homestead Inn was one of Lake Placid’s first lodging options and the area’s first bed and breakfast. The innoperated for decades, serving visitors to the Lake Placid area through various ownership changes. High Peaks Resort displays a painting of The Homestead in the Main Resort lobby.

The Olympic Transition

As Lake Placid prepared to host the 1980 Winter Olympics, significant changes came to the hospitality landscape. Peter Roland demolished the Homestead Inn and eight buildings on the property in 1979 so that the Lake Placid Hilton could be built on the prime real estate in time for the 1980 Olympics. This marked a significant transformation from the intimate bed-and-breakfast atmosphere to a full-service hotel designed to accommodate the influx of Olympic Visitors.

The Modern Era: 1980-Present

The 1980 Winter Olympics marked the beginning of a new chapter in Lake Placid’s tourism development. The region experienced a significant shift towards more event-based businesses, including hockey tournaments, lacrosse championships, rugby events, and Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid, for which High Peaks Resort has been the official host hotel for over a decade.

The Hilton Years (1980-2008)

The Lake Placid Hilton served as a premier accommodation during the historic 1980 Winter Olympics. During that event, the Hilton served as the home for ABC Sports, which arrived in November 1979 and remained until the following March when the games concluded. Roone Arledge, president of ABC Sports, even landed his helicopter on what is now the fourth floor parking deck.

The High Peaks Resort Era (2008-Present)

Within the broader context of Lake Placid’s modern tourism evolution, the transformation of the former Lake Placid Hilton into High Peaks Resort represents a microcosm of the industry trends that have shaped the region since 1980. The complete renovation involved redecorating rooms and communal areas in a contemporary style that maintains the Adirondack heritage through the use of wood accent panels, moldings, and dynamic wall coverings.

Today’s Lake Placid High Peaks Resort

Today, Lake Place’s High Peaks Resort is conveniently located at the far end of downtown’s main drag. The resort boasts 177 rooms in three diverse buildings, most with balcony views of Mirror Lake (note: Lake Placid overlooks Mirror Lake while the actual Lake Placid is nearby). This downtown, yet still tucked-away, fun-factory campus features four pools (two indoor and two outdoor) and two hot tubs. The larger main resort building sits across the street from the more boutique Lake House, which features an epic lakeview bar-living room area and a recreation space offering free yoga classes. The third lakeside structure is the 29-room Waterfront Collection, situated on Mirror Lake with splendid views and instant access to lakeside merriment.

The resort’s full-service Dancing Bears Restaurant’s brunch menu includes fish (cod) tacos garnished with pickled onion, apple slaw, chipotle aioli, and wild rice, and is a standout on a fabulous menu. The centerpiece of this storied establishment is a square bar that brings together friendly locals and curious visitors. There’s also an inviting seasonal deck restaurant above the Dancing Bears.

The resort and its terrific staff share an overall warm personality. Guests enjoy access to lake activities, campfires, and seemingly limitless rustic lobby seating areas. I prefer offseason travel everywhere I go, and I can testify that this getaway dazzles throughout the year.

Epic Golf Packages

The Adirondack Mountains are home to many historic golf courses, offering breathtaking mountain vistas, stunning lake views, and fewer crowds compared to major golf destinations. Cooler summer temperatures and the opportunity to combine golf with other outdoor activities, such as hiking, boating, camping, and more add to the appeal. High Peaks Resort offers the ultimate package, which includes 18 holes of golf and cart rental at the nearby Whiteface Club & Resort. This earthy, elevating experience will keep you in tune with nature as you roam the links.

Non-Ageist Socializing

Lake Placid teems with athletic nature lovers in romantic, family, and themed group settings. All combine when exploring nature, visiting the Olympic attractions, and enjoying the ample and thriving dining and party spots.

The combination of being in a stable, long-term relationship and COVID permanently landed bars low on my hit list. Still, I did venture to a few entertaining venues while in Lake Placid. The standout was the local American Legion, where fluff disappears and straight talk reigns supreme. After signing in, you quickly notice the local vibe, with many patrons pinch-hitting as historians. And, obviously, it overflows with apolitical patriotism, which seems to be in short supply these days.

To book a stay at the ultimate Lake Placid basecamp, visit High Peaks Resort.

 

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