Justin does his best "Eric Heiden" at the 400 meter Olympic Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid, NY
The tiny village of Lake Placid, tucked away in the High Peaks region of New York’s Adirondack Mountains, has witnessed some of the greatest moments — and miracles — in Olympic history.
When it hosted in 1932, 16-year-old figure skater Sonja Heine took the gold while local hero, speed skater Jack Shea, took home two. Then, in 1980, it was Eric Heiden’s World and Olympic-record smashing road to capturing five gold medals in Speed Skating and the USA’s victory in Ice Hockey that proved miraculous.
You can experience the rich Olympic history of Lake Placid in just one weekend!
What to do
1.) Experience the magic of the “Miracle on Ice”
Stop by Herb Brooks Arena in the Olympic Center to see the rink where the "Miracle on Ice" occurred in 1980.
Located in the Olympic Center, this rink hosted one of the greatest moments in sports history — when the United States defeated the then-Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics before eventually going on to capture the gold. You can enter for free, and on weekends, check out the youth hockey tournaments. Throughout the year, you can catch international figure skating performances and competitions featuring some of the world’s most well-known skaters.
2.) Tour the Lake Placid Olympic Museum
Located in the lower-level of the Olympic Center, this hardware-packed museum walks visitors through Winter Olympic history and is a great way to begin your Olympic experience at Lake Placid. You’ll learn the story of both the 1932 and 1980 Lake Placid games, see the evolution of ice skates and bobsleds, and check out Olympic torches used for past games.
3.) Skate on the Olympic Speed Skating Oval
Go skating on the 400m Olympic Speed Skating Oval, where American Eric Heiden won 5 gold medals at the 1980 Lake Placid games.
It was on this outdoor speed-skating oval that Eric Heiden won five Olympic gold medals — and you can skate here, too! Skates are available for rental, or bring your own. It’s quite a humbling experience knowing how many speed-skating greats shared this ice!
4.) Ski Whiteface
Whiteface Mountain, the first ski resort in the eastern U.S. and home to the Alpine ski competition in the 1980 games.
With 86 runs, 11 lifts, and several mountainside restaurants, there’s no shortage of challenging and relaxing things to do at Whiteface Resort. It was here that the Alpine ski events were held in the 1980 games.
5.) Ski the miles of Nordic Trails
The skis are available for rent and the trails open for exploration at the Mt. Van Hoevenburg Olympic Sports Complex Nordic Ski Center. Full-day and half-day passes available.
6.) Try your hand at Bobsled
Team USA Bobsled practices for the upcoming World Championships in Lake Placid.
This track, located at the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, is the only bobsled/skeleton/luge track east of the Rocky Mountains and is host to this year’s World Championships in Bobsled and Skeleton. Visitors can take a ride around the track on their vehicle of choice — Bobsled or Skeleton. Expect to pay a bit more for this one-of-a-kind adventure.
7.) Attempt the Ski Jump
If you're really up for a thrill, try the ski jump!
Ok, so maybe don’t attempt the ski jump. Just stop by and look at it. Seriously, do you see how high that thing is?! If you want to experience the height, but not the jump, you can take an elevator to the top and return the same way.
How to make it happen
If you’re wanting to visit all of the sites above, the Olympic sites passport is definitely the way to go. For just $29 USD, you’ll receive admission to most of the sites above, as well as tours, lift passes, and additional discounts. If you think you’ll only make it to a few, pay individual admission and rental at each place. Many of the venues are within walking distance of one another, and a shuttle is available to transfer you to locations further from the town center. Before you leave, top off your adventure with an Ubu Ale from the Lake Placid Brewery. It’s quite possibly the best beer we’ve ever had on tap. After a weekend full of activity — you’ve earned it!
Have you ever visited an Olympic Park or Sports Complex? If so, where? We’d love to hear about your experience!
17 comments in this article
February 20, 2012 pm29 17:13
As an Olympics nut this post was awesome. Hard to imagine an outdoor speed skating rink! I might have to pay Lake Placid a visit and try my hand at the Bobsled:)
D.J. - The World of Deej recently posted..The Georgia Aquarium - A Whale Shark of a Good Time
February 20, 2012 pm29 17:27
I do enjoy touring Olympic stadiums! I think I’d try the bobsled but will just stare at the ski jump. If I tried it I would look worse than Vinko Bogataj!
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Unique Lodging Is It For You?
February 26, 2012 am29 0:49
Yeah, even staring at the ski jump is scary!
February 21, 2012 pm29 16:35
Oh how fun! I LOVE the picture of Eric. That made me chuckle. You guys always seem to have so much fun wherever you go and whatever you do!
Courtney Mroch recently posted..Movie Monday: ‘Holliston’ (‘The Big Bang Theory’ Meets ‘Evil Dead II’) Screening at Chicago Fear Fest
February 26, 2012 am29 0:48
Yeah, we try to have fun and be silly wherever we go!
February 21, 2012 pm29 16:38
I love lake placid. The Mirror Lake in has great food and rooms. Great article!
Jessica Rawlins recently posted..7 Super Shots Hostel Bookers Challenge
February 26, 2012 am29 0:48
I’ve heard they do. We’ll have to check them out next time we’re there! And there WILL be a next time!
February 23, 2012 am29 7:00
That’s so awesome that you can try bobsledding!
Andrea recently posted..Travel Tip: Buy Your Travel Gear at the Army Surplus Store
February 26, 2012 am29 0:48
Yeah … Justin wants to try the Skeleton though … face first down a track of ice with your chin an inch from the ice … not so awesome.
February 25, 2012 am29 9:18
I still remember when I was younger and the movie Lake Placid came out, at least I think that was the name. Scared the crap out of me, this actually makes me want to visit!
Dayna recently posted..Punk’s Not Dead. It just moved to the Balkans.
February 26, 2012 am29 0:41
Yeah, I never saw that movie, but the thought of it as we were driving up there freaked me out a bit. Oh, but the place is just SO beautiful!
March 4, 2012 pm31 21:16
Wow! I would not be an Olympic ski jumper in another life. That is a ways up there. Really cool to see some much Olympic history is one place.
Suzy recently posted..Trieste, Italy Wishes You Were Here
March 6, 2012 pm31 12:58
I know … you couldn’t pay me a million dollars. Thanks for reading!
March 19, 2012 pm31 17:01
Haha I am not sure that we Canadians would appreciate your miracle on ice
Ayngelina recently posted..Pigging out in Playa del Carmen
March 19, 2012 pm31 21:54
Well you have regularly kicked our butts at pretty much every winter sport since then
August 18, 2012 pm31 13:44
I’m a skater so I sure hope I get to visit Lake Placid someday. They have a couple of special weeks for adult skaters during summer at the rink there. If I get there I will certainly get the pass for the Olympic sites, thanks for the tip!
Mary @ Fit and Fed recently posted..Summer Skating and Learning the Lutz