The Lake Placid Olympic Sports Complex: A Winter Sports Mecca

Many parts of the country are experiencing the warmest winter in history, and the usual snow activities people enjoy have been delayed as a result. Not in Lake Placid, home of the 1980 Winter Olympic games! This winter sports center in northern New York is a great place to get a taste of what you're missing!

Called "the Mecca for world class athletes," the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg offers a little bit of everything for the winter sports enthusiast.

If a big thrill is your goal, try The Storm bobsled ride. A professional driver and brakeman take care of the hard work, and all you have to do is hold on! Your guides take you down the "state-of-the-art competition track" for the ride of a lifetime! The Storm program assures a safe, thrilling adventure, and you leave with mementos, including "a complimentary bobsled lapel pin, a commemorative photo, a virtual reality ride and the historical walking tour to celebrate their adventure." Prices are $65 for adults, $60 for teens and $55 for 12 and under. (But don't forget the 48" height requirement for your child's safety!) Rides are available Wednesday-Friday 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. During "holiday periods," The Storm is open seven days a week. For more information and to make reservations, Call 518-523-4436 or email osctickets@orda.org

If you'd rather go solo on your adrenaline adventure, try The Luge Rocket Ride! "Piloting your own semi-enclosed, modified luge sled, you'll shoot through the final 17 heart-pounding, smile-producing curves of the course." Tickets are $45, and available days are limited, so make sure to call ahead for information and reservations. 518-523-4436

For active folks who are looking for a little less danger, take on the challenge of Lake Placid's world class 31 miles of Olympic class trails for Cross-Country Skiing. The lodge even offers childcare while parents are out! For pricing and more information, go to http://www.orda.org/newsite/todo/winter/xc_skiing.php.

The more athletically inclined can also take part in the biathlon, combining "freestyle skiing and rifle marksmanship." The first hour of the activity involves freestyle skiing class, then leads to the range to practice shooting. This activity is available only on specific days and times. Contact the Sports Complex for more information: 518-523-2811.

A little more sedate, but still a great energetic activity is snowshoeing. The Sports Complex offers snowshoeing on its cross-country trails, as well as an additional two trails reserved exclusively for snowshoeing. Rentals and childcare are available. For hours, prices, and more information, go to http://www.orda.org/newsite/todo/winter/snowshoeing.php

Finally, for the couch athlete, the Sports Complex offers Virtual Winter Experiences! " The simulation includes bobsled from the drivers point-of-view, alpine skiing, ice hockey as the goalie, ski jumping from the 120m tower, and luge - all in one experience. Just $7/person."

Don't miss the 2007 Lake Placid Loppet, now celebrating it's 25^th anniversary! The 25K and 50K Cross-Country ski races being held Saturday, February 10, 2007. For more information, check out http://www.orda.org/newsite/events/2007/loppet/.