By Jenn Holderied, Owner, Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

Beautiful in a winter or summer setting, the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in the heart of Lake Placid boasts the best location in town. We are directly on the shores of Mirror Lake and in the heart of the Olympic Village which puts everything from shopping to skating literally right outside your door. Snuggled under furs on the dogsled or basking in the sun, you can surrender yourself to the beauty of the Adirondack Mountains.

Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, Lake Placid, New York

Proud To Be Green

We are fortunate to live and play in the Adirondack Park, and believe that this beautiful protected area is something worth protecting, not only for ourselves and our children, but for the thousands of visitors who pass through this wilderness each day. As you are swimming in the clean clear waters of Mirror Lake or sipping coffee from the lake-view balcony of your guest room, we think you will agree that it is worth it too.

The Adirondack Park is the largest protected area in the contiguous United States, greater in size than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier and Grand Canyon National Park combined. It encompasses approximately 6 million acres, nearly half of which belongs to all the people of New York State and is constitutionally protected to remain “forever wild” forest preserve. We realize a resource this precious is rare and are dedicated to taking any steps necessary to protect it – by using non-intrusive, high quality, eco-friendly products, and implementing various sustainability initiatives.

We have recently received our re-evaluation by Audubon International’s Green Leaf™ Eco-Rating Program and are proud to have been upgraded from a 4-leaf rating (awarded in 2008) to a 5-leaf rating. We are the only property in the United States to have achieved a 5–Green Leaf Rating. Only one other property in the world has achieved a 5–Green Leaf Rating, the Aurum Lodge in the Province of Alberta in Canada.

Our entire team has worked extremely hard to achieve the five leaf rating from Audubon International. Every member of our staff has searched diligently to find innovative, yet responsible ways that we can make the resort more sustainable while enhancing the guest’s experience. We would not have been able to reach this lofty goal without the dedication and commitment of the Golden Arrow employees.

The Audubon Green Leaf Eco-Rating Program awards a 5-Green Leaf
rating to hotels that are world leaders and innovators of eco-efficiency
and clearly demonstrate leadership in sustainable practices.

Golden Arrow’s Green Innovations

Completed in June of 2008, Golden Arrow’s Green Roof is a 3,400 square foot roof that guests will be able to enjoy from the deck of Generations Restaurant. The Green Roof has many benefits including creating energy savings by acting as a super insulator, keeping the building warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It also acts as a storm water management system, catching pollutants as they drain off the roof. This is especially important for us since we are located directly on the lake. The Oxygen released by the plants will help reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint, and hopefully provide a nice habitat for local birds and insects.

Golden Arrow’s green roof in full bloom.
Some of the edible plants are used in the resort’s restaurant.

North Country Public Radio’s interview with Jenn

“Hundreds of thousands of people come through here every year, and what an amazing opportunity we have to touch those people and bring sustainability more to the forefront of their mind.” – Jenn Holderied

>> Listen and learn more

More About Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is a family owned & operated resort in Lake Placid NY in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. A myriad of outdoor adventure including skiing, hiking, swimming, fishing, biking, skating, snowboarding, snow-shoeing even bobsledding and skeleton await.

Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is an ecoAuction sponsor (March 2010). Check out and bid on Golden Arrow’s ecoAuction package, Deluxe Lakeside Stay at the Golden Arrow, 4 days/3 nights for 2.