No place in New York embraces winter quite like Lake Placid, and there’s plenty for families to do at its Olympic venues. Guests can climb to the skydeck of the ski jumps, shoot through the zig-zag of the bobsled run, ride a gondola to a mountain summit and gaze from a lookout over the Adirondack High Peaks. Now is a great time to make the drive to the region, too, because Lake Placid opened many new attractions this fall, including a mountain coaster, a biathlon center and a four-person zipline from atop the Olympic ski jump towers.

As Olympians get up early to train, start your Olympic adventure bright and early in Lake Placid, NY. First, head to the Lake Placid Olympic Center and Museum – home of both the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Games and the location of one of the most famous moments in all of sports, the “Miracle on Ice” hockey game. There, pick up an Olympic Sites Passport. This passport gives you one-time admission to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, Olympic Jumping Complex, Cloudsplitter Gondola ride and Whiteface Veteran’s Memorial Highway. Note that children 6 and under receive free admission to all Olympic sites and Passport activities. After picking up your passport, take in the museum and check out the ice rink. You may even catch some skaters practicing their routines. The ice rink is open year-round, and it’s hard not to get caught up in the Olympic spirit when touring the facilities.

From the Olympic Center, head to the Olympic ski jump facility with its majestic 90- and 120-meter towers. The facility is undergoing a renovation and, this fall, a state-of-the-art and ADA-accessible gondola began carrying visitors from the lodge to the base of the 120-meter tower. A new glass elevator then takes guests the final 26 stories to the top of the jump towers for breathtaking views of the Adirondack High Peaks. These are the same views the ski jumpers have while standing at the starting gate before hurling their bodies off into space. You will also be standing on a new zipline launch deck (opening summer 2020) designed to deliver the same thrills Olympic ski jumpers experience at speeds of over 60 mph.

Next, check out the bobsled run at the Olympic Sports Complex on Mount Van Hoevenberg. For an additional fee (separate from the Olympic Passport), families can ride in a sled on the Lake Placid Bobsled Experience. A professional driver leads you down the actual 1980 Olympic bobsled track, reaching speeds of 55 miles per hour – a thrilling experience, for sure. There’s also the luge and skeleton experiences, which allow you to slide either on your back or headfirst on sleds at over 30 mph. Afterward, take a tour of the sliding facility and learn the rich history of the track first constructed for the 1932 Winter Olympic Games, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Finally, work continues on a mountain coaster opening in 2020. This roller coaster-like ride lets the passenger control their own speed and experience the entire 1980 Olympic track for the first time in over 20 years. Guests will speed through the world-famous Shady Curve and zig and zag in a custom-designed bobsled cart before gliding across the finish line.

End the day at Whiteface Mountain, site of the cross-country ski events during the 1932 Olympics and the downhill and slalom events for the 1980 Winter Games. The Cloudsplitter Gondola whisks visitors 2,500 feet to the summit of Little Whiteface Mountain in about 15 minutes. At the top, there are more incredible views of Lake Placid and the surrounding mountains. The Olympic Passport also includes the Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway – an eight-mile road to the summit of the fifth highest mountain in the Adirondacks. The toll road is only open seasonally, so be sure to check the schedule before you visit. At the end of the highway, 4,600 feet in elevation, sits Whiteface Castle – a two-story building constructed from the granite removed to build the road. The castle sits just below the 4,867-foot summit of Whiteface Mountain, and you have a choice of hiking the trail or taking an elevator the rest of the way to the top.

The Stairway Ridge Trail is a steep and challenging hike over rocks and boulders, but you are rewarded with incredible views along the way. If you don’t feel up for the one fifth-mile hike, there is an elevator accessed by a 400-foot-long tunnel drilled directly into the heart of the mountain. Even if you don’t take the elevator, you owe it to yourself to take a peek inside the 45-degree tunnel and elevator. It’s a true engineering feat. Sitting at the summit of Whiteface Mountain, savor the 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, Lake Placid, Vermont and the surrounding wilderness.

After a full day in Lake Placid and the Adirondacks, one spent exploring manmade towers, tracks, and creations as well as the natural wonder of the region, you may be too exhausted to attempt the drive home. Just down the road from Whiteface Mountain is The Mirror Lake Inn – recipient of AAA’s coveted Four Diamond award 30 consecutive years running. The Mirror Lake Inn has an ideal lakeside location, just one block from Lake Placid’s Main Street shops and close to the Olympic skating, sliding and skiing facilities. It also offers a complimentary shuttle to Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort. Mirror Lake Inn is a perfect hub for a family’s winter activities or a sanctuary to rest and recharge for the winter.

The Mirror Lake Inn anchors one end of Lake Placid’s Olympic Village and sits (as its name implies) on the shore and hill overlooking Mirror Lake. Climb the staircase to enter the historic hotel, and kids will feel like they’re stepping inside the Clue board game. Quick! It’s Colonel Mustard, in the library, with the candlestick! The lobby’s rich woodwork, stained glass and antiques envelope guests in atmosphere. Step to the check-in desk just past the baby grand piano, and the friendly staff will welcome you with fresh chocolate chip cookies and direct you to your room.

The Mirror Lake Inn caters to families because it’s a family business. Owners Ed and Lisa Weibrecht are easy to find on property and welcome guests into their extended family. Their son, Andrew Weibrecht, a two-time Winter Olympic skiing medalist, displays his silver and bronze medals behind the front desk for all to enjoy. The hoteliers make it possible for families to create unique winter memories such as dog sledding, skating or riding a toboggan onto the frozen lake. Families can play a game in the library, enjoy a Mommy & Me day in the spa, savor a gourmet meal in the restaurant and explore everything the Lake Placid area has to offer. Our family truly enjoyed our stay at this award-winning property, and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious family escape.

Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll

The Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll is an annual tradition that combines family-friendly activities such as ice skating, visits with Santa Claus, live music, food and drink with sales, discounts and deals. With increased pressure from Internet sales, Lake Placid has figured out a way to bring even more people to the town (and stores). It wasn’t that complicated; they just make the holidays about more than just shopping. Besides, isn’t that what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown?

During our visit, Santa rolled in on a bright red Lake Placid fire truck, and a line of parents and children stretched as far as the eye can see to meet him. While my teenage daughters were far too cool for a picture with Santa, they were more than happy to sample the complimentary cookies and hot chocolate. The eclectic collection of stores on Lake Placid’s Main Street welcomed guests with discounts, deals, promotions and, best of all, snacks. Somehow, we made more visits to the Adirondack Popcorn Company than any other business on Main Street. In addition to shopping, there were crafts for the children, holiday movies at the cinema, Santa, characters (the 1980 Olympic raccoon mascot was spotted) and ice-carving demonstrations too.

The day capped off with a traditional Yule Log Hunt. We gathered around the fire to learn the history of the Yule Log before the Yule Master sent us off with a blast of his horn. Once the ceremonial Yule Log was found, the winning hunter rode triumphantly back to town on top of the prize, which was then cut and burned to warm the revelers. This was all followed by the lighting of the town Christmas tree as children’s choral medleys wafted in the air.

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