Cue the Olympic Fanfare! Over the mountains and through the woods, off the Lake Placid we go. Home of both the 1932 and 1980 Olympics, Lake Placid is the hub of outdoor activity in the Adirondacks. The state of New York operates most of the venues from the 1980 Winter Olympic Games at reasonable prices. Crowds found at Killington and Stowe in nearby Vermont are rare in these woods. Not many folks south of Albany, let alone the rest of the country, know about the Adirondack Park, its six million acres larger than Yellowstone and Yosemite combined. During the 1980 ice hockey competition, Team USA beat the heavily favored Soviet team which was called the Miracle on Ice and later became a Disney film, Miracle.

Mount Van Hoevenberg hosted bobsleigh in ’32 and luge, biathlon and cross-country skiing events for the 1980 games. For $45, you receive a trail pass, equipment rental and a much needed one hour lesson. After strapping in, ski instructor Ken began to teach us the art of stopping, starting and looking directly where we want to go. This was particularly difficult for me because I enjoy looking all over the place, not just in front of me. After numerous falls and slips, we mastered the art enough to warrant a run on our own. If you go, I highly recommend Ken as a ski instructor. Lessons typically begin on the hour.

I have skied downhill once but immediately fell in love with cross-country skiing. It is slower and more scenic, speeds and falls hurt less and people seem to be nicer and more courteous. It is also cheaper and more open as you do not have to wait for a chairlift or push through crowds. If you see a large group of skiers, turn away down a different trail. Most trails also have a track or two smooth, ski-sized ditches in the snow for easy hill climbing and beginners. The tracks allow for work on technique and balance practice while guiding the skis along.

Of course, what better to top off the day than beer and dinner at Lake Placid Brewing. Located just outside downtown but with views of Mirror Lake, this brewpub is a must see. Ubu Ale is their signature brew, an English strong ale with a deep red color and 7% ABV. The Nippletop Milk Stout is also a solid choice and most of their bottled product is available in Syracuse proper. Baby-back ribs made for a happy ending.

If you go:

Located about four hours from Syracuse, Lake Placid offers plenty for everyone’s taste. Whiteface Mountain has some of the best downhill skiing in the East. Its Main Street has plenty of shops and restaurants with only Starbucks representing the national chains. There are year-round bobsleigh rides at the Olympic Sports Complex and many of the Winter Olympic athletes practice here. There are plenty of hotels, cottages for rent and even a hostel surrounding Mirror Lake and within 10-15 minutes of the town. While I thought the town would be mobbed given the holiday weekend, it was easy to park and there was no wait at the restaurant.