Lake Placid, NY 9 minutes / Windows Media Player

A sunset view of the area from the window of our flight. What a great way to see the mountains!

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In this quiet village in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, you could easily forget all time. With the cold, fresh mountain air, the stunning scenery and the friendly people, it is no wonder patients used to come here and Saranac Lake for curing. In fact, it was Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau who first pioneered the treatment of Tuberculosis in this area in 1876.

The Adirondack Inn, right in the centre of town, was our home base in Lake Placid.

But what Lake Placid is mostly known for is that it is one of only three cities in the world that had the honour to host the Olympic Games twice. That's right. The Winter Games came to this New York village in both 1932 and 1980.

And still the athletes don't stop coming. Almost every American Olympic athlete comes through Lake Placid before heading to the games. They practice on the bobsled track, the 120 meter and 90 meter ski jumps, the biathlon range, the Miracle on Ice Rink and on many other Olympic venues. But this does not exclude the summer athletes. In fact, the US Kayak Team was practicing on Mirror Lake when we visited the Adirondacks.

Trying my hand at the Olympic Biathlon Range

Where else can you actually try bobsledding?

Of course, Lake Placid is not just for the super-athlete. There are plenty of things to do for all ages and sizes. In the winter you can try your hand at all the Olympic venues of course, like the bobsled, where you're blasted down a half-mile track in 45 seconds. Or try good old fashioned skiing. There are over 70 downhill ski trails on Whiteface Mountain, as well as the fastest heated gondola. Or you could explore the High Falls Gorge and its beautiful ice formations on snowshoes. There are also plenty of cross-country skiing and hiking trails in the area.

Fly-Fishing in the nearby Au Sable River

4 waterfalls flow more than 700 ft. at the High Falls Gorge

And what is there to do in the summer? Well, you could go fly-fishing, golfing, hiking or mountain-biking, as well as use all of the Olympic Venues. Or you can watch professionals and professionals-in-training at the Kodak Ski Jumping Complex. They actually lay down a plastic sheet on the ski jumps and

keep spraying it with water. The jumpers swear it feels just like the real thing. There are also plenty of water activities, like water-skiing, swimming and kayaking to keep you entertained.

But if you're not up for too much activity, try taking a boat tour of Lake Placid and drool over the unbelievable lodges people call cottages. Did you know that the village of Lake Placid actually wraps around Mirror Lake? But Lake Placid is just around the corner where you'll find the Marina. You could also hop on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. It takes you from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake in 45 minutes and heads through untouched Adirondack Wilderness. Even though the trip is really only ten miles, you're still making good time, considering you're riding in a vintage railroad car. The railroad is entirely operated by volunteers, who even run theme trips like Bonny and Clyde! Check their schedule for details.

Memorabilia from two Olympics on display at the Olympic Museum

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad takes you on an afternoon through the Lakes and Wilderness near Lake Placid.

And to top off your time in Lake Placid? Try a 20-minute scenic flight around the area. For only $23 a person you can fly in a 4-seat turboprop high above the mountains and believe me, especially at sunset, it is absolutely spectacular!

So, as you can see Lake Placid has something for everyone and in every season and if you have the time, should definitely be on your to-see list.

Capping off our Olympic Experience up on the Podium!

A close-up look at the big prize!