Whiteface Mountain, From The Summit

There's a lot of great skiing out there and it's within your reach,and grasp, at Whiteface Mountain.
Skiers are a restless breed, always on the lookout for 'freshies'; always awaiting the big dump. Ahh...nothing like fresh powder! I've skied Whistler and Blackcolm Mountains in Canada and I've skied several mountains out west, Vail being one of my fav's. My home turf is the Snow Making Capitol of the World, Hunter Mountain. Hunter can't be beat for great conditions even with NO natural snow. I had the good fortune to ski Whiteface Mountain not once this season, but twice. Let me tell you, I've heard the rumor..."Ice face"; well I'm here to tell you, it's just NOT TRUE! Whiteface has a family mountain feel, but with all the perks of big mountain skiing. It's terrain covers everything from green trails to double black diamond, with an added bonus of glade and slide skiing.
I had two of the best skis days this whole season at Whiteface. Bluebird skies and all!
Whiteface is located in Wilmington, New York, next to Lake Placid, in the heart of the breathtaking Adirondack Mountains,and it's not to be missed. Although I grew up in the Hudson River Valley in upstate New York, there is something about the drive through the Adirondacks that makes you question yourself. 'Am I really still in New York'? The white birch forests that line the highway and the trickling streams that seem to flow everywhere are nothing less than breathtaking.
Whiteface is a social place; a vintage house party. Many of the present visitors came as children and return every year, often with their own offspring in tow.
From the top of the 1980 Olympic down hill course,elevation-4867', one can't help but feel invigorated and full of life. I'm alive! I took a deep breath and filled my lungs with fresh Adirondack air. My friend, Dudley, announced to everyone, "Take your time boys and girls, it's even steeper than it looks." I like the steeps. I thought about the Olympians who stood here 30 years ago to the day, I'm sure my heart was beating just as fast, but for a different reason; fear. What's truly great about Whiteface Mountain is that all levels of skiers can enjoy this mountain. While I took the downhill course, I had friends that chose the long cruiser run to the right. All the trails lead to the same end point, so you can meet up again with your party. To enhance your trip, I suggest downloading "The Bridget Widget" to your computer. (I will insert a link at the bottom of this page.) Named after my friend Bridget, you can get the latest snow conditions, 5-day weather forecast, special offers, deals and up to the last minute news on what's happening at Whiteface; let my friend Bridget entertain you in the process.
No matter your mood, Lake Placid is a great spot to be. It's not just about skiing. With two prior winter Olympics held in Lake Placid,the first in 1932 and the memorable 1980 games, when the U.S. Men's Hockey team beat Russia, there is so much to do. You can take a high speed bobsled or luge or skeleton run; it's like your childhood sled on steroids. Or,take the elevator to the top of the 120 meter tower of the Olympic ski jumping area. And,skating at the Olympic speed skating oval is a blast! Whatever your mood, Whiteface and Lake Placid have the answer.
If there are non-skiers in your party, there is plenty do do in the Whiteface/Lake Placid area. The eight person high speed Gondola carries you from the main base lodge to the top of Little Whiteface in 15 minutes. There are plenty of breath taking sights to see from the top. If you're not an adrenaline junky at all, then just take a stroll through town. There's lots of shopping and little cafes to choose from. The village's centerpiece is the beautiful Mirror Lake. On the day that I strolled through town, a man was out on the frozen lake with his dog sled and children and their families were ice skating. They even have a fun Toboggan run on the east side of the lake.
As for lodging, I would recommend two different spots. The Crowne Plaza offered a mid-week ski package that's a steal. $89. per night includes a full breakfast and a lift ticket. Or, there is the fabulous and pet friendly Art Devlin's Olympic Motor Lodge. Reasonably priced, clean,over sized spacious rooms with hot coffee, cocoa, tea and homemade muffins and donuts in the morning. For those who don't know who Art Devlin was, read my previous blog and learn about the greatest ski jumper in the world, Lake Placid native, Art Devlin.

For more information on the Olympic Sports Complex contact the ORDA Store:
518-523-1420 or: www.lakeplacidwhiteface.com

For information on Whiteface Mountain go to:www.whitefacelakeplacid.com
Whiteface Mountain
5021 Rt. 86
Wilmington, NY 12997

For Crowne Plaza Resort information go to: www.lakeplacidcp.com
101 Olympic Dr.
Lake Placid, NY 12947
For Reservations call 1-877-570-5891
to get the mid-week ski deal contact the hotel directly at 518-523-2556

Art Devlin's for sure is my #1 Spot! Still family owned and operated by Sue and Art Devlin. You will not be disappointed!
For more information on Art Devlin's go to www.artdevlins.com
Art Devlin's Olympic Motor Lodge
2764 Main Street
Lake Placid, NY 12946
518-523-3700
Ask for Art Jr. Tell him I sent you!

For your free download of the Bridget Widget go to www.whitefacelakeplacid.com

See you on the Mountain!

Art Devlin's Olympic Motor Lodge, Feels Like Home

Every weekend,I'm hitting the road and following a GPS somewhere. It's part of what you do when your daughter plays on a Tier One 16 and under travel hockey team. We pack the car and set out for a full weekend of fun and adventure. This past weekend,I found myself heading to the beautiful Adirondack Mountain area of Lake Placid, in upstate New York.
"Art Devlin who?", I asked the hockey mom in charge of reservations.
I'm a big fan of Trip Advisor, so, at that moment, I quickly googled up 'Art Devlin' and was pleasantly surprised to read that Art Devlin's Motor Lodge was rated #1!in Lake Placid. Even the highly acclaimed Mirror Lake Inn fell short as it was rated at #2. What? I thought. This can't be true. Did I hit the motel jack pot! Absolutely!
Sure,you can find fancier, and most definitely you can find more expensive, but you will NOT find a better bang for your buck anywhere else than at this comgy abode. Art Devlin's offers over sized, spacious, and clean rooms that make you feel like you're home. In an attempt to keep up with the times, Devlin's have added large flat screen TVs to most of the rooms. Soon, all of the rooms will have the upgraded version. The beautifully tiled over-sized bathrooms are a bonus as well! Coming soon, in August 2010, Art Devlin's will be offering a suite to the list of rooms at the motel. After a good nights sleep, head over to the main house and have a fresh brewed cup of coffee and a homemade muffin made with love by the Devlin's. While having my morning cup of joe, I couldn't help but notice the most impressive trophy case imaginable. At first glance, I thought it must belong to the entire Devlin family, perhaps generations of Devlin awards. I found out after speaking with Art Jr., that indeed, all the trophies in the case belonged to only one person, and that person was his dad, the Olympic ski jumping gold medal winner, Art Devlin Sr.
Art Devlin has a very interesting story. Art was born in the main house (were the lobby is today) on Sept 7,1922. When Art was just two years old, his mother passed away from scarlet fever.Soon after, his father suffered from depression and became a victim of mental health misunderstandings of the time and was institutionalised. With the family disrupted, Art was raised by relatives. Some might think that those turn of events would break a persons soul, but not Art. He was determined to become someone! He built a small ski jump in the back yard (where the pool is located today) and would practice for hours a day. By the time Art was 10 years old, he won his first ski jumping award in a 14-U class. By the time Art was
17, he earned a spot on the 1940 Olympic team. Unfortunately, the 1940 Olympics, scheduled for Japan,were cancelled due to WW2. Like many men of his time, he answered his country's call and joined the Army. After earning the title of Captain, he left the service and went back to his first love of ski jumping.
Although Art's credits are almost too long to mention, they all deserve recognition if we are to get a full appreciation of his triumphs. I have compiled a complete list at the end of this column.
Art passed away in 2002, missed by the Olympic community and by his family who still operate his motel today.
I was extremely comfortable at Art's! Its great location makes it an easy walk to the scenic Mirror Lake and the heart of Lake Placid village. If you plan on skiing the Olympic mountain, Whiteface, it's just a short scenic 9 mile drive down the road to Wilmington.

A list of Art's accomplishments is as follows:

Lake Placid High School - 1941
Syracuse University - 1941, 1942

United States Army Air Force - 1943-1946
Graduated Bombardier - Pilot Training -1943
50 Combat Missions, E.T.O. Germany - 1944
3 Distinguished Flying Crosses
5 Air Medals
3 Purple Hearts
2 Presidential Unit Citations
Rank of Captain - Discharged - 1946

Under Contract, Norma Shearer, Hollywood, CA - 1946-1949

Married Helen McCutcheon, June 28, 1952
Children: Jacqueline-1955, Art-1957, Alexis-1963

Olympic Teams:
1940 - Cancelled because of the war
1948 - St Moritz, Switzerland
1952 - Oslo, Norway
1956 - Cortina, Italy
1960 - Squaw Vally (he resigned to become a TV sports Commentator for CBS)

U.S. Eastern Ski Jumping Champion - 1939,1940,1941
U.S. Eastern Downhill Champion - 1941
National Ski Jumping Champion - 1942,1946,1949,1950
North American Ski Jumping Champion - 1949,1950,1954
National Champion (Canada) - Four Times
World F.I.S.Team - Lake Placid - 1950 - 4th
World F.I.S. Team - Falun, Sweden - 1954

Set North American Distance Record, 307 feet, Steamboat Springs, CO - 1950
First American in Ski Flying - 120 Meter Hill - Oberstdorf, Germany -463 feet - 1952
Broadcast every World Ski Jumping Championship and Winter Olympic games since 1960 on TV, plus an average of 6 ski jumping events every winter on TV.
Wide World of Sports ABC-TV Sports Commentator from 1962, for 21 years.
Installed in the Ski Hall of Fame, 1963

Art spread himself in many directions and he was a true humanitarian. After spending a little time with his son, Art Jr, I feel like I have a better understanding of who Art Devlin really was. The family planted a blue Spruce tree in honor of Art and every year they decorate it with blue lights in remembrance of their father. It's not just a motel, it's a legacy.
I feel like his spirit was with us as my daughters 16U team captured the 2010 Lake Placid International Hockey Tournament championship.

Art Devlin's Olympic Motor Lodge
2764 Main Street
Lake Placid, NY 12946
518-523-3700
www.artdevlins.com
or e-mail: info@artdevlins.com

A Night at The Night

Take a stroll back in time when TV was in black and white. Now, go forward and make that TV a 37 inch wall mounted plasma, add 400-thread count Frette linens and an ultra feather duvet cover to the picture, and what have you got?
I'll tell you! You have the upscale boutique style NIGHT HOTEL, located on West 45th street in the heart of New York City's Times Square.
The 'Night' is decorated fabulously Gothic with the decor contrasted in black and white. As you enter into The Night, you will quickly shift from the outside world of stress and work to the solitude and comfort of The Night. The techno music playing throughout morphs you into another world. The black and white photos that decorate the walls throughout the hotel add to the seduction of the hotel; scantily clothed nudes with artistic tattoos on their lower backs. If you allow, it will change your mood; it oozes naughty!
I, for one, enjoy the escape from everyday realities.I urge you to go beyond the black and white to discover the entire spectrum. Desire it at Night? Then so it shall be. Some things can only happen at Night.

NIGHT HOTEL
132 WEST 45TH ST
NEW YORK, NY 10036
212-835-9600
www.nighthotelny.com
www.vikramchatwalhotels.com