By Caroline Tapp-McDougall
The history of Mirror Lake Inn goes back to the mid 1920s when a local girl, Climena
Alford, married William Rufus Wikoff, who was the original travelling “Fuller Brush Man.” The story goes that Wikoff was a successful salesperson who accumulated considerable wealth. Upon his retirement the couple moved back to Lake Placid, where they purchased an old lakeside estate and created a much-loved inn for wealthy clientele, sports lovers and Olympic athletes.
A family affair
Today, under the hands-on proprietorship of Lisa and Ed Weibrecht, Mirror Lake Inn is still true to its Adirondack roots, with million-dollar renovations and a friendly, family-style service adding to its everlasting charm.
The Inn recently received a AAA Four Diamond Award for the 34th straight year and it also boasts its very own Olympic history, with 32-year-old Andrew, the Weibrechts’ middle son who medalled in Alpine skiing in Vancouver and Sochi and a US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Famer, retiring from competition to join the hotel’s marketing and activities team.
A mix of luxe modern and rustic, the inn features two main buildings and a collection of lakeside cottages, many of which are quite large and newly renovated. All have great views. Our two-bedroom suite in the Colonial House, designed for the ultimate romantic escape or a family getaway, has a charming stone fireplace, Black Forest chandeliers, two oversized bathrooms, oriental rugs, and beautiful antiques and mahogany woodwork throughout.
Time to indulge
The site boasts a trio of casual and fine-dining restaurants and a much-loved spa—all with a view of Mirror Lake and the Adirondack High Peaks.
The Cottage Café is a fun place to hang out, with incredible views, indoor/outdoor lakeside seating, a comfort-food menu, craft and draft beers, and unique cocktail concoctions.
The View, headed by Executive Chef Jarrad Lang, works with 10 local farms to supply fresh produce, artisancheeses, meats and maple syrup, and the seasons dictate the menu. The family can be rightfully proud of this popular spot, which has earned Wine Spectator’s “two-glass” designation and is considered by most to be the number-one restaurant in Lake Placid.
In The Taste Bistro & Bar, great food, world-class wines and live music draw a lively crowd, whatever the season.
With no resort fees, the private beach with complimentary boating, bicycles, tennis courts and indoor/outdoor pools are nice extras to enjoy. And perhaps the biggest treat of them all for those who have dreamed of spending time on the slopes with an Olympic athlete—Mirror Lake Inn offers its guests an exclusive “Ski with an Olympic Medalist” package. This once-in-a-lifetime experience lets you ski for a morning alongside the inn’s very own Andrew Weibrecht.
Getting there
Lake Placid is easy to reach by car in just 2.5 hours from Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport on United Airlines.
Mirror Lake Inn is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
mirrorlakeinn.com
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Olympic memories
Walk down to the village and visit the Olympic Museum and the site of the US/Russia Miracle on Ice game. Then hop in the car and head for the 1980 Olympic site, where you can ride a scenic gondola up Whiteface Mountain—and come down via a thrilling bobsled or skeleton ride on the US team’s training track.
