Whiteface is different from most 46er peaks for several reasons: First, it sits far away from the main body of the High Peaks (well, except for Esther, but Esther is really part of the Whiteface 'massif' anyway). Second, it has a weather station on the summit and a highway leading nearly all the way up it. Third, it has an Olympic ski hill on its lower eastern flanks. And fouth, but definitely not least, is the fact that Whiteface, unlike most of the High Peaks, shows the signs of recent Alpine glaciation. As a result, it has different and interesting topography: narrow, rocky ridges and bowl-like gulfs radiating from its summit. And, being one of the highest of the High Peaks, it has an open above-treeline summit. Views are excellent in all directions, including east to Lake Champlain and Vermont, and south to the somewhat distant central High Peaks. Although you can reach this summit very easily with a car via the toll road, the two official trails leading to its summit offer a more intimate and rewarding experience.