Lake Placid, New York sits in the snow capital of the Adirondack Mountains in New York State. This active, winter town is famous for hosting the 1980 Winter Olympics. If you are looking for a winter getaway, there is perhaps no better town in New York State suited better to fufill your dreams of alpine glory than Lake Placid.
Lake Placid is a winter town. Though many tourists flock to this little Adirondack Mountain town during the summer months, winter is really the season for fun in Lake Placid. To the North of Lake Placid, and a fairly short drive up the Northway (the local term for the main interstate that runs lengthwise up the eastern edge of New York State) is Montreal, and to the South you can visit Lake George or Saratoga Springs. Lake Placid may keep you in town for at least the weekend, however, with all the winter activities available to try.
Skiing
Whiteface Mountain is the backdrop to the skyline of Lake Placid. This majestic mountain beckons skiiers from all parts of the northeastern United States and Canada, to come and ski the white powdery slopes. Skiing is one of the main winter activities in Lake Placid, offering the thrill of downhill skiing for the adventurous, and the calm, but invigorating feeling of a cross-country ski weekend for others. There are several ski opportunities in Lake Placid, where ski conditions are ideal for about five months of the year.
Alpine skiing on Whiteface Mountain offers the greatest vertical drop this side of the Rocky Mountains, at a heart-stopping top lift elevation of 4,386 feet. There are an additional 74 trails available for skiers and a free shuttle is offered to Whiteface Mountain from the town of Lake Placid on Main Street. Most of the ski centers offer a full range of gear, refreshments, and lessons for the full range of skier abilities. If you’re interested in some ski adventures in Lake Placid try contacting one of the following for more information. Most ski centers are open daily from November through mid-April.
Cross country skiers will love the woodsy tranquility of the Lake Placid ski trails. With the smooth, white blanket of snow covering the ground during ski season, cross country skiing is at its best in Lake Placid. A few of the local cross counrty ski centers include the following:
-Cascade Cross Country Center: 518-523-9605
-Lake Placid Club Nordic Center: 518-523-2556
Snowmobiling
Lake Placid also offers plenty of snowmobile trails throughout the many wooded areas around town. Snowmobiling is another winter activity that many come to Lake Placid to enjoy during the winter months. A few of the local Lake Placid centers for snowmobiling are:
For a once in a lifetime adventure, consider taking a memorable sleigh ride in Lake Placid. Ideal for couples looking for some romance, or for families looking for a fun sleigh ride in the snowy woods, Country Dreams Farm offers sleigh rides daily between 4 and 8 o’clock during 2007. Each sleigh ride ends with some treats to warm up with after the trek through the nearby woods. To get more information and or to schedule a sleigh ride, you may visit the web site at www.countrydreamsfarm.com, or phone 1-800-422-6757.
Snowshoeing
One of the few places in the United States where snowshoeing is a common winter activity is in Lake Placid. Snowshoeing can be learned by both children and adults, and can offer some healthy exercise at a more leisurely pace than cross country skiing. To try snowshoeing, you can contact the following Lake Placid centers:
Ice fishers will find Lake Placid and the Mirror Lake area an inviting opportunity to catch a few fish during the winter months. Ice fishing charters are available to more novice ice fisherman.
No visit to Lake Placid would be complete without a visit to the Olympic Sports Complex. Throughout the year, and especially during the winter season, there are events, tournaments, and competitions scheduled at the Olympic Sports Complex on a near daily basis. In 2000, the Goodwill Winter Games were held in Lake Placid.
Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum
Take a trip back in time this winter by visiting the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum, which has Olympic memorablia on display from 1932-1980. An admission ticket is only $4 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. Take a break from all the physical winter activities and brush up on your Olympic history through the many Olympic artifact displays.
Bobsledding and Luge
If you really want a different kind of thrill, try a ride on the half-mile bobsled ride available at the Mt. Vanhoevenberg Sports Complex. It will cost $40 per person and require a phone ahead reservation (518-523-4436), but where else can you get the chance to do a real bobsled run?
The MacKenzie Intervale Ski Jumping Complex offers winter guests in town the chance to tour the Ski Complex for the $9 adult admission and $5 children and senior admissions. The admission includes the elevator ride and chair lift and the daily hours are from 9-4 in season.
