Visiting the Winter Olympic Legacy Sites in Lake Placid

When I got the invite to attend the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Induction in Lake Placid, I immediately said, “yes.” Not only have I been on a mission this past winter to become a better snowboarder, I have long wanted to visit the Lake Placid area. I have lived in New York City for 25 years, but Lake Placid never made its way onto my calendar.

Lake Placid doesn’t get enough love from those of us that live in NYC. Maybe the 5-hour driving time has something to do with it. Whatever the reason is, Lake Placid continues to be a northeast gem that doesn’t get enough love from those of us in southern New York. And I wonder if the citizens of Lake Placid like it that way, because the town of Lake Placid is beautiful and full of small-town charm with plenty of outdoor activity.

After checking into my hotel, I walked over to the Olympic Center, where I met Jamie, who would be our guide during our tour of the Lake Placid Legacy sites. Jamie works for the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) and is passionate about sharing love for the Lake Placid area and its Olympic history.

We loaded into a van and made the short drive to Whiteface Mountain, where skiing events for the 1980 Winter Olympics were held. (Read about my snowboarding excursion on Whiteface) While there, we got a tour of the mountain and met with skiing and snowboarding instructors. It was a foggy day during the tour, but the mountain was still gorgeous. During my visit to Whiteface, the realization that I’ve been missing out on great powder Upstate New York weighed heavily.

After the tour of Whiteface, we drove to the Olympic Jumping Complex, where the ski jumps for the 1932 Winter Olympics and the 1980 Olympics were held and continues to be a training ground for ski jumpers and used for the World Ski Jumping competition. The largest ski jump skies at 128 meters (419 feet) and can be viewed from the town and from Whiteface Mountain. To get to the top, the athletes take a glass elevator that provides an outstanding view.

We took the elevator to the top, and I instantly became in awe of the ski jumpers’ bravery. To look down the giant slope is incredible. I know little about ski jumpers, but they must have nerves of steel. Hopefully, I can get back to watch a competition next winter, because after touring the jump facility, it must be an awesome sight to witness in all its glory.

From there, we made the short drive to Mt. Van Hoevenberg, location of the bobsled, luge, and skeleton events during the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. Athletes from around the world visit the site to train for their respective sports. My visit came right after a group had finished bobsled training, and providing me with another event that I must see during the next winter. I was able to tour the facility and check out the tracks, which are massive.

After our visit to Mt. Van Hoevenberg, we made our way back to the Olympic Center, and I visited a place that gave me chills, and not because it was cold. Setting foot inside the Herb Brooks Arena and feeling the energy in the building is hard to explain. The Herb Brooks Arena is the site of the famed Miracle on Ice moment that captured the nation. Upon entering, I could hear Al Michaels’ voice yelling enthusiastically, “Do you believe in miracles?” For those that don’t know, the quote came after the US Hockey Team upset the Soviet team. The score went back and forth throughout the game, with the final being 4-3. I remember watching the game at home. We were not a hockey family, but since it was the Winter Olympics, we were glued to the TV. Being a kid at that age during the Cold War, you believed the Soviets were the big bad guys and the US team were the good guys. The game was more than a hockey match and Al Michaels captured the moment perfectly. To be in the room where it happened was inspiring.

The last stop on the tour kept us inside the Olympic Center, where the Lake Placid Olympic Museum is found. Visitors to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum can take part in interactive exhibits about bobsledding, speed skating, and ski jumping. Artifacts, clothing, medals, and more items are available to peruse, remember, and inspire. I found it interesting how various uniforms have changed over the years. The focus of the museum is the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games, but information can be found on every Winter Olympics.

While walking around the Legacy Sites, I wished my kids were next to me. Occasionally on the tour, I would run into a family exploring an area, and it reminded me of the importance to share experiences with our children. Setting foot inside the hockey arena, I wish I could have told my kids how old I was when the Miracle on Ice happened and what I was doing and how it made me feel. During the museum tour, I wanted my kids to be there to point out the hard work Olympic athletes must endure to reach the pedestal. At Mt. Hoevenberg and at the ski jump facility, it would have been wonderful to share the awe-inspiring sites. While on Whiteface, I missed my little snowboarder who would have loved flying ahead of his old man.

My trip to Lake Placid has inspired me to return with my kids. Now that I know what I’ve been missing all these years, I don’t want my kids to miss out. And from what I hear, it’s a great summer spot too.