OLYMPIC SITES IN LAKE PLACID, NY

The Olympic Games are some of my favorite sporting events to watch. Whether it’s summer or winter, the level of talent and competition is always amazing. It would be a dream come true to watch the games in person one day!

In November 2017, my boyfriend Chris and I celebrated our first dating anniversary by visiting some Olympic sites in Lake Placid, New York.

Keep reading for more details on what to see and what to do.

*Due to COVID-19, please check the access and accommodations of each site before traveling.

LAKE PLACID OLYMPIC MUSEUM

Lake placid hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Games. The Lake Placid Olympic Museum takes you down memory lane, walking you through the history and achievements of the Olympics in Lake Placid. You’ll see video highlights, equipment, uniforms, and memorabilia, including the evolution of the Olympic torch and the USA parade jackets.

]This year, Lake Placid is celebrating its 40-year anniversary of hosting the 1980 Olympic Games. The most notable event for me during that time (even though I wasn’t born yet), is the 1980 men’s hockey tournament when the United States won gold against the Soviet Union, known as the “Miracle on Ice.”

MT. VAN HOEVENBERG OLYMPIC BOBSLED RUN

The Mt. Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run was built in 1930 at the Olympic Sports Complex for the 1932 Olympic Games as the only bob-run in America. It was originally 2,350 meters long (about 1.5 miles), but since the first 0.5 miles hasn’t been used since 1932, the races are only 1 mile. Now, it’s the only combined bobsled, luge, and skeleton track on the East Coast.

I highly recommend planning your trip around a competition. Chris and I climbed the mountain to watch Team USA compete in the Bobsled World Cup and it was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.

Watching the technique it takes for the athletes to steer and speed down the track was amazing. All of the viewing areas allowed us to get super close to the actual bobsleds. They flew by us so fast (the average speed is reportedly 84 mph), that most of my photos are blurry!

When Chris and I got to the mountain, we quickly realized we were not dressed for the weather. We didn’t have nearly as many layers as we should have, and definitely the wrong footwear (we were wearing sneakers in the snow). But even though it was FREEZING cold, we pushed through to every viewing area, all the way to the highest point where we saw the bobsledders start their races. I would love to go back and watch more races sometime.

The Olympic Sports Complex also offers bobsled and skeleton experiences, and a tour. See more details here.

*Tip: Check the weather before making the trip. If you visit in November, bundle everything up and definitely wear snow boots.

OLYMPIC JUMPING COMPLEX

Here you’ll find the two ski jumping towers (90 meters and 120 meters) that were used during the Olympic Games. When you’re standing atop the 120-meter tower gazing at the ground, it really puts into perspective how talented Olympic ski jumpers are. Chris and I rode an elevator to the top of the tower and went outside onto the sky deck to take in the views. It might be one of the best places to see a bird’s-eye view of the Adirondack High Peaks.

The complex also has a podium near the entrance where you can take cute photos!

The Olympic Jumping Complex now also offers a Skyride Gondola ride and Sky Flyer Zipline experience. The gondola ride will transport you up the base of the ski jumping towers to show you what the jumpers see as they start to accelerate towards the end of the ramp. On the Sky Flyer Zipline, you’ll experience the thrill of ski jumping while soaring parallel in the air. See more details here.

Visiting these sites where some of the best athletes in the world have competed, was a really cool experience and I’d love to go back and try some of the newer attractions!