This year saw a record crowd, according to Whiteface Sales and Marketing Manager Lauren Garfield. There were more than 7,500 visitors between the two days — about 4,800 people on Saturday and 2,700 on Sunday, which included free admission for the day for 2025-26 ski season pass holders. Whiteface’s Oktoberfest drew around 6,000 people last year.

“People just love the event,” she said. “We have worked hard curating the entertainment, food, kids activities and beer. And of course, the weather and foliage didn’t hurt.”

This year’s Oktobertfest lineup featured performances by die Schlauberger in the main music and entertainment tent, as well as The Adlers and Schachtelgebirger Musikanten (Scha-Musi), the 3 Alphorns and the Alpenland Taenzer dancers.

The annual event began in 1991 and has run every year since then, save for a two-year hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic. This year, it was recognized by SKI Magazine as one of the 13 best festivals in ski country, and one of only two in eastern North America.

Kurt Eckner, left, and Richard Hackner raise their mugs after finishing a dance performance at the Whiteface Mountain ski center’s Oktoberfest on Sunday. They are part of the Alpenland Tanzer dance group. The Alpenland Tanzers are from New Britain, Connecticut, and have been presenting and promoting authentic Alpine Schuhplatteln dancing since their founding in 1960. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

There were more than 40 vendors who offered a variety of Adirondack-themed artworks, crafts and souvenirs, along with a variety of Bavarian food and beverages. The Cloudsplitter Gondola line could have been mistaken for a mid-winter’s weekend day at times, as legions of guests took the ride up to Little Whiteface.

It’s a busy fall for the ski center. Next weekend, Whiteface is set to host the downhill portion of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, along with sister site Mount Van Hoevenberg, which will host the cross-country mountain bike course. More information on that event is available at tinyurl.com/577n5sfz.

Crowds gather to ride the Cloudsplitter Gondola to the summit of Little Whiteface during the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center’s Oktoberfest on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Catherine Minnier and Ron Kwas share a dance at the Whiteface Mountain ski center’s Oktoberfest on Sunday. Kwas is part of the Alpenland Tanzer dance group. The Alpenland Tanzers are from New Britain, Connecticut, and have been presenting and promoting authentic Alpine Schuhplatteln dancing since their founding in 1960. During one of the dances, audience members were invited to join the dance group on stage. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Caitlin Jenkins twirls during a dance performance at the Whitface Mountain ski center’s Oktoberfest on Sunday. Jenkins, and the dancers behind her, are part of the Alpenland Tanzer dance group. The Alpenland Tanzers are from New Britain, Connecticut, and have been presenting and promoting authentic Alpine Schuhplatteln dancing since their founding in 1960. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)