I'm not a skier, so I can't help with that, but DH and I take regular vacations to Lake Placid, so I can help with the rest.
As far as shopping, Lake Placid is a compact village with a Main Street that has most of the shopping. There are a few stores on the south side of town past the Olympic Arena, but nothing all that special.
The best shopping is within the small shops/boutiques--some are lovely while others are tacky tourist traps between Parkside and Saranac on Main Street. There's also a Starbucks that went in a couple of years ago. The "Alpine Mall isn't really a mall that has some stores, but there's not much in there. My favorite is the Adirondack Trading Company--I could spend a full day in there!
For dining there are a lot of options--some things aren't open in the winter unfortunately. We really like the Adirondack Steak and Seafood Company, it's a couple blocks from the Hilton on the right side of the road if you're heading southbound. The prices are really good for the qulaity and quantity. The service is friendly and efficient.
The Dining Room at the Mirror Lake Inn is amazing! Great food and service, I believe it's a four star restaurant. Not sure how old your daugter is, but they do have a firm policy on children there as well as a dress code.
Avoid Jimmy's Lakeside--it's an Italian place on the water side in the Village. Service was slow and it was dirty. We ate there once, and left most of our meal after we realized how dirty it was. Never again.
The Lake Placid Pub and Brewery is family friendly in the early evening. Good pub grub and a great assorment of hand crafted beers.
The Boathouse has fantastic food, OK service, but they open seasonally and might not be open. If yu eat there, ask for a window seat, the view is gorgeous.
The Veranda is another really good choice, especially the room with the fireplace. Great food with a French flair and suepr service.
The Cottage is another pub type place, but if you go in the early evening it's family friendly. Ask for a window seat by the woodstove.
If you need a laundrymat, there's one in the plaza by Price Chopper on Saranac, about a half mile from main Street. There's also a Mc Donalds up near there, and of course Price Chopper is a good place to pick up any grocery type items you might need. Don't go to the laundrymat south of the Olympic arena--it's absolutely nasty.
I think our favorite breakfast place might have closed unfortunately.
If you've got time, the tour of the Olympic Museum is worth the entrance fee, and the Spa at the Mirror Lake Inn is incredible.
Where are you staying?
I'm not an expert on the area, but we've vacationed there almost annually for the past ten years or so, I've got a pretty good handle on the "touristy" things. Let me know if you've got more questions and I'll try to answer them. Have a great time!
