Playing in the High Peaks

2 2 1 2 0 2 g n i r p S / r e t n W i • e d i u G n o i t a c V a k c a d n o r i d A / e s i r p r e t n E y l i a D k c a d n o r i d A

Photo by Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism

Skating on Mirror Lake in the village of Lake Placid

Winter tourists started visiting Lake Placid more than a century ago, beginning with the Lake Placid Club in 1904. Since then, this resort has grown into an international mecca for sporting enthusiasts and world-class competitors — having hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1932 and 1980 and numerous World Cup events in Lake Placid and Wilmington.

The state Olympic Regional Development Authority is charged with maintaining the region’s “legacy sites” from the Olympics and operates them as tourist attractions and international sporting venues. The state has spent millions of dollars in renovations to these facilities over the past few years.

Lake Placid also keeps its Olympic heritage alive with offices for two national governing bodies — USA Luge and USA Bobsled and Skeleton — and as a training ground for U.S. Biathlon and USA Nordic.

While many events are being evaluated, and some have been canceled, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, some are still on the calendar this winter.

USA Nordic’s Olympic trials will be held in Lake Placid on Dec. 24 and 25. The team will be heading to Beijing, China, for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, set for February. For tickets, visit https://mtvanhoevenberg.com.

Lake Placid’s Holiday Village Stroll will return this year after taking last year off due to the pandemic. Set for Dec. 10-12, it will feature a skating party, ugly sweater party, Jingle Bell Run/Walk, tree-lighting ceremony, Santa’s fire truck parade and more. Learn more at www.holidayvillagestroll.com.

The annual Mountaineering Festival in Keene celebrates 25 years in 2022 with events scheduled for Jan. 14-17. Mountainfest is an annual celebration of ice climbing and mountaineering. For more information, contact the Mountaineer at 518-576-2281 or online at www.mountaineer.com.

While the Backcountry Ski Weekend will be held 2022 in the town of Keene, the date was not set as of press time. It is usually held the first weekend in March. For the latest information, including times and dates, contact the Mountaineer at 518-576-2281 or visit online at www.mountaineer.com.

For Lake Placid information, call 518-523-2445, stop by the Lake Placid Visitor Center at 2608 Main St. or go online to www.lakeplacid.com.

For Wilmington information, call the Whiteface Mountain Region Visitors Bureau, stop by the office on state Route 86 in Wilmington or go online to www.whitefaceregion.com.

Below are some attractions and outdoor recreation venues open in the winter. ¯ Adirondack Mountain Club’s Adirondak Loj. Adirondack Loj Road, Lake Placid. ADK offers educational programs and owns two facilities in the High Peaks region: the Heart Lake property at the Adirondak Loj and Johns Brook Lodge (accessible by foot only from the Garden trailhead in Keene Valley, a 3.5-mile hike). Visit the High Peaks Information Center before heading into the High Peaks Wilderness Area from the Adirondak Loj. There are ski and snowshoe trails on the Loj property, including a hike up Mount Jo. 518-523-3441. www.adk.org. ¯ Cascade Cross Country Ski Center. 4833 Cascade Road, Lake Placid. 518-523-9605. ¯ High Falls Gorge. 4761 state Route 86, Wilmington. This is a 22-acre, privately owned nature park with safe trail access for all ages. Take a walk through the gorge to view the West Branch of the

Photo by Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism

Playing hockey on Mirror Lake