Experience the Winter Olympics in New York

Almost every child who participates in a sport has aspirations of going to the Olympics.  Many Schools also include the Olympics as part of the curriculum.  While it takes years of dedication and a lot of resources to attain the goal of participating in an olympic event and even more to reach the podium, getting that "Olympic" feeling may be easier to attain.

Lake Placid, New York, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics has a host of activities and attractions that families can enjoy to learn more about the fascinating world of the Winter Olympics. Learn about the new Olympic sport of  the Skeleton, being introduced as a medal sport in the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Kids and Parents alike can also rent tubes and experience the thrill of  landing on the K120 hill at the Olympic Jumping Complex.

Winter isn't the only time to enjoy the Olympic Experience in Lake Placid.  Visiting in the summer, spring or fall still provides a "Winter Olympic" learning experience and the families can also enjoy outdoor activities such as mountain biking, wheeled bob sled rides, a trip up Whiteface Mountain (it's quite a drive up the Memorial Parkway on a clear day - unfortunately on our day it was foggy and very windy as you can see from the picture but the Kids enjoyed going through the cave to the elevator) or visiting High Falls Gorge.  See  New York Family Attractions for more information.  Shopping along the main street is also a treat any time of the year.

The Olympic Regional Development Authority operates a number of attractions for families to visit and have provided some highlights which your family may enjoy during a visit to Lake Placid.  - Web Editor.

The Olympic Center

ATTRACTIONS

Ice Rinks: The Olympic Center contains four ice surfaces including: the 1980 Olympic Arena, the 1932 Olympic Arena, Lussi Rink, and USA Rink. The rinks are used for training for competitive figure skating, hockey, and short track speed skating. The 1980 Arena is best known as the home of the USA Hockey "Miracle on Ice" and is the permanent home for the USA Women's National Hockey Team. The public can walk in and out of the arenas to witness exciting world-class athletes in training and competitions  There is also public skating. A cafeteria, gym, conference rooms, dance rooms, meeting halls, and the offices of the Olympic Regional Development Authority are all part of the Olympic Center. The massive building, set right on Main Street in the center of town, is impressively decorated with a skyline of flags, and overlooks the outdoor Olympic Speed Skating Oval and Lake Placid High School.

The Olympic Speed Skating Oval: The Oval was the site of speed skating events for both the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Games. In 1932, Lake Placid resident Jack Shea captured two gold medals; in 1980, Eric Heiden made history when he earned his legendary five gold medals. In the winter months (December- March) the Oval is used for training and is open to the public for recreational skating.

The Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg

Cross Country/ Biathlon: includes the 50 kilometers (31 mile) cross-country skiing network and the Olympic biathlon target range. The biathlon venue was upgraded when ORDA purchased the 1998 Olympic range from the Nagano Olympic Committee. The cross-country trails wander through the forest and are groomed for classical and skating techniques. The trails are used for public skiing, competitive training, and are the site of national and international competitions. Rentals, ski school, childcare and cafeteria are all on premises.

Mountain Biking is offered on the extensive trail system in the summer months. Helmet and bike rentals are available. Call 518-523-4436 for daily trail conditions and additional information.

Olympic Bobsled and Luge runs: Combined bobsled/luge/skeleton track completed in February 2000 and opened for the Winter Goodwill Games. The new, state-of-the-art course has 20 turns and features a vertical drop of some 40 stories over its one mile length. It is not only one of the world's fastest courses, but emphasizes driving skills to bring each sled down in a competitive time.

Winter bobsled rides on the 1980 track are available for the public in the company of a professional driver and brakeman. Start at the half-mile and ride through the world famous Zig-Zag turn at speeds of 55 mph.

Special wheeled bobsled rides are also offered in the summer and fall months from the half-mile start. 

MacKenzie-Intervale Ski Jumping Complex

ATTRACTIONS

90 and 120-meter Ski Jump Towers: The majestic towers dress the Adirondack skyline as you head into Lake Placid. The 120-meter tower (approximately 26 stories high) is complete with a glass lookout elevator where the public can ascend to the athlete start tower for a scenic lookout of the High Peaks and beyond and access to the breathtaking outside start gate. Visitors approach the elevator via chairlift, which rides up the steep landing hill. Ski jumpers train at the facility year-round, and weekend clinics for beginner ski jumpers of all ages are available through the New York Ski Education Foundation (NYSEF) (518) 946-7001.

Tubing, one of the hottest new winter outdoor recreation sports has hit the K120 landing hill at the Olympic Jumping Complex. The public can rent a tube and ride down the steep exciting hill for an unforgettable rush.

Kodak Sports Park: The park includes aerial ski launching ramps know as "kickers" for freestyle skiing athletes to propel themselves as high as 50 feet in the air to complete rotation and twist maneuvers. In the winter, snow-covered kickers sit atop a steep, snow-packed landing hill. In the summer and fall season, aerialists train and compete in the state-of- the-art park complete with three tile covered launching ramps and land in a 750,000 gallon heated pool with an impact reducing aerating system. Competition and training is open to the public and can be viewed from surrounding bleachers.

 The 1932 & 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum

"The Keeper of Lake Placid's Olympic Dreams!"

It is the only official Olympic Museum in the US!

Museum Highlights

1932 & 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games 

The history and heritage of LP winter resort/sports heritage and ORDA venues 

Hometown Heroes: athletes which have represented LP in every Winter Olympiad

See the First Gold medal every awarded at a Winter Olympics (Chamonix/1924) to Charles Jewtraw - Lake Placid native, speedskater

Visit the new sliding sports exhibit:

Bobsled: See the last US sled to win an Olympic Medal (1956/Art Tyler)

Skeleton: It will be a medal event in 2002 for the first time.

Luge: The museum hopes to get one of the medals won by the teams of Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin, silver medalists, or Gordie Sheer and Chris Thorpe, bronze medalists from the 1998 Nagano Olympics.

 Sonja Henie Exhibit: the woman who changed the look of figure skating (including her lucky rabbit's foot)!

Antique Ice skates exhibit (1800-1950): go back in time to the romance of skating on frozen ponds!

Take your picture in a bobsled!

ENJOY YOUR VISIT!!!

Portions of this Article and pictures courtesy of Mark Kurtz/ORDA Photo

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