whiteface slides

[anita514]

does anyone out there have any experience climbing the slides on the east side of whiteface (in the 'dacks)?
we were thinking of cutting across the ski trails to gain the slides then ascend to the summit from there.
has anyone done this?

 

[teleskier]

You don't need to cut across them, there's a ski trail for skiers to exit the slides (they're skiable from the downhill center when the ski patrol deems them safe). The name of that trail is "Slide Out" and it meets Lower Skyward a little ways above the summit lift. Get a current ski map of the trails at Whiteface and it'll be pretty obvious. It's great - easy access to the slides, and the climbing is nice clean rock. The left most one brings you closest to the summit, and it's a short bushwhack through the trees from there. You can go back down to the parking lots by taking the hiking trail towards Lake Placid to just below treeline, and then there's a trail off that which takes you to the top of the summit lift. From there you can hike back down the ski trails.

 

[jrbren]

Do you need any special permissions from the ski area to use their trails or cross their land, or use their parking lot ? I am interested in these slides too someday.

 

[anita514]

I ascended whiteface via the ski runs last october and had no probs
it's a real drag though

 

[Rob S]

I haven't done it ..............yet. But many others have.

I believe both Rico and Neil have climbed the slides, (or are planning to.) Hopefully they will chime in.

As teleskier already mentions, the slides are accessed by the ski trails.

Rob

 

[teleskier]

No, no permission needed. The slides are nice, clean rock, class 2, about on par with most of the other slides like the ones on Nippletop, Dix, etc. in terms of difficulty. Easier than the Eagle, certainly. A very nice trip, given that hardly any bushwhacking is involved on the whole round trip.

 

[WalksWithBlackflies]

I believe both Rico and Neil have climbed the slides, (or are planning to.) Hopefully they will chime in.

I've been thwarted by bad weather the past few weekends. But Kevin and I are planning on climbing the slides on Saturday, starting from the Ski Center at sunrise. You are welcome to join us.

 

[rdl]

The ski area is state land, not sure of the designation though, so access is not an issue.

 

[Rob S]

You are welcome to join us.

Damn you, Rico always inviting me on hikes when I'm out of town

My wife and I are leaving tomorrow morning for 5 days in New Hampshire. The plan is Little Haystack, Lincoln, and Lafayette. Wanna bail on your dang slide hike and join us??

 

[TCD]

A few pieces of info and a question:

The Slide Out trail joins lower Skyward just above the bottom of the summit lift.

Be careful traveling on the ski trails during the summer, as summer work (mowing, logging, excavation, etc.) may be going on and they will not necessarily be expecting pedestrians.

If the Gondola is running for scenic rides, you could consider taking it to the top of Little Whiteface. That would save a bunch of vertical and some distance vs. walking up from the base. Instead of a long moderately uphill walk from the base, you'd be in for a somewhat shorter, slightly downhill traverse on ski trails to the bottom of the summit lift.

What route do you plan to use for descent?

TCD

 

[HAYDK]

FYI October 1st & 2nd is Octoberfest at Whiteface Mountain .http://www.whiteface.com/octoberfest.php

 

[anita514]

tcb: we're taking the gondola up (did ski runs last year - never again!), cutting across to the slide out trail, ascending the most direct/least wet slide to summit. we will go down the trail from the summit that leads to the highest lift and most likely just walk down the runs.

 

[jrbren]

Anita - What is wrong with walking up the ski runs ? Thanks, John

 

[anita514]

it's just a real boring slog. I'd rather not have to do it again