This Mountainside Village Near Ontario Is One Of The 'Most Beautiful Winter Towns In The US'

It's less than three hours from the border.

Giant Mountain Ridge Trail. Right: A person standing on a street.

A person hiking through snowy mountains. Right: A person standing on a snowy street.

Lead Writer, Travel

This stunning small town in New York State features snowy mountains, glistening lake views and dreamy scenery, and it's just a road trip away from Ontario.

The village transforms into a sparkling snowy wonderland each year and it was even named one of the 20 "most beautiful winter towns in the U.S." by Travel and Leisure in 2023.

From endless skiing opportunities to a charming Main Street brimming with shops, this mountainside destination might be worth crossing the border for.

Hidden in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, the town of Lake Placid is a cold-weather gem for anyone craving some winter magic.

The village is about a 3 hour drive from Ottawa, making it an idyllic spot for a weekend getaway. It was home to the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Games and you can check out some of the unique Olympic Legacy Sites such as the Lake Placid Olympic Center and Lake Placid Olympic Museum.

The town is surrounded by powdery ski slopes, snowshoeing trails, skating rinks and more so you can enjoy the season to the fullest.

You can even fly down the toboggan chute or enjoy the mountain views on the new Skyride.

The downtown offers tons of restaurants and cafes where you can warm up with a hot chocolate or dig into a variety of cuisines. You can stroll along the streets and gaze over the frozen Mirror Lake for a dreamy winter wonderland experience.

If you're looking for a winter getaway that doesn't require a plane ticket, this majestic small town is worth a road trip. Don't forget your passport!

Lake Placid

Address: Lake Placid, ON

Why You Need To Go: Enjoy tons of winter fun at this snowy-weather destination.

Lake Placid website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Lead Writer

    Madeline Forsyth is a Toronto-based Lead Writer for Narcity Media. After earning her B.A. (Hons) at Queen's University, she spent a year travelling much of the world as a flight attendant. Now, she uses her experience in the travel industry and passion for writing to share stories about buzzworthy events and adventures across Canada and the globe. Madeline has been published in PopSugar and has interviewed sports and entertainment personalities for Narcity. She has covered and photographed restaurant openings as well as event launches such as the world premiere of the Dr. Seuss Experience. Some of her favourite things to write about include charming small towns and anything to do with Harry Potter.

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