We have a history of winter events

If you look back in the history books you'll notice that mid-winter in Lake Placid has historically been filled with winter events. This year is no exception.  You won't be able to claim you can't find anything to do here if you don't ski, as you likely will in other ski resorts around the world.  In addition to the many non-ski activities, our events calendar is quite full!

NY State athletes gather

The 33rd edition of Empire State Winter Games comes to Lake Placid February 6 - 9 this year. The youth, adaptive and masters athletes of our great state gather to compete in this largest of all state athletic games in America over the four days of competition.  From bobsledding to adaptive skiing, you'll see more than 1,300 of the state's finest vying for top spot in their individual sports. 

Keepers of the flame

Our Olympic history and the Sochi Olympic Winter Games will be celebrated by the Lighting of Lake Placid's 1980 Olympic Flame Cauldron on Friday, February 7 at 6:00 pm at the Lake Placid Show Grounds across from the Olympic ski jumps on Route 73. Following the lighting, there will be a torch run through the streets from Olympic Cauldron to Mid's Park on Main Street, where the Empire State Games cauldron will be lit, to burn troughout the Sochi Winter Games on Feb. 21.  Seeing our 1980 cauldron lighting is a thrill not to be missed and offers wonderful photo opps for our visitors. The flame will burn only until about midnight on the night of the lighting, so don't miss this opportunity for some great photos! 

On this very same evening Lake Placid Center for the Arts will celebrate the Olympics with an Olympic Inspirations gallery exhibit opening from 5 - 7 pm, along with the live broadcast of NBC' Sochi Opening Ceremony on the big HD screen beginning at 6:30 pm. All this for free!

Empire Sports Fest

Open to one and all, and totally FREE, Empire Sports Fest will feature lots of fun family activities and demonstrations. For the first time in decades, Lake Placid will host a barrel jumping exhibition.  Barrel jumping is an amazing feat of agility on skates you won't want to miss (see the video above). Lake Placid was host to many barrel jumping competition in the 40's and 50's when it became a popular winter daredevil sport!  Also featured at Sports Fest will be Adaptive races, bonfires and awards for some of the day's events. Capping off the evening will be a gala fireworks show at 7 pm.  All visitors and residents are encouraged to come and celebrate the Games at Empire Sports Fest, Saturday, February 8, from 5 - 7 pm on the speedskating oval.

Please join us at our Olympics and Empire State Games celebrations while you're in Lake Placid this week!