Lake Placid - It’s that most colorful time of the year. Fall in the Adirondacks means a number of traditional autumn events, and a few that are somewhat outside the box. Let’s check out September and October.
Colors will change gradually over the next month in Upstate New York, reaching their peak in the Adirondacks by Columbus Day (Oct. 9) to mid-October, so if you’re planning on seeing this beautiful palette, make plans now for a few days at the Mirror Lake Inn, recognized as the finest among Lake Placid resorts.
In addition to the resplendent nature of the fall season, there are memorable activities and experiences at arm’s length. Fall hiking and golf, just to name a few, are spectacular. But how about these upcoming fall events to embellish your time with us?
- September 23-24 |Keys to the Castle / Climb to the Castle | Mt Van Hoevenberg/Whiteface
The kick-off is Saturday with a roller ski event of strength and endurance on the World Cup trails at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Then the athletes ratchet up the power even further with an eight-mile climb, also on roller skis, from the hamlet of Wilmington to the summit of the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway. Cheer on the athletes and admire our fantastic fall scenery.
- September 30-October 1 | Whiteface Oktoberfest
Each fall, Bavaria comes to Whiteface Mountain, complete with German brews, brats, lederhosen and good times for all! Check out the German oom-pah sounds die Schlauberger in the Main Entertainment Tent; The Adlers, Schachtelgebirger Musikanten (Scha-Musi) in the Cloudspin Bar and Grill, the 3 Alphorns, and the Alpenland Taenzer dancers. This is a family-friendly event with activities for all ages including arts and crafts and scenic gondola rides. Event runs from 11 am-6 pm Saturday and 11 am-5 pm Sunday.
- October 4 – 8 | World Figure & Fancy Skating Championships | Olympic Center
Not what you normally expect in a figure skating event. These championships connect figure skating with art in unique and meaningful ways. With skating performances on black ice, these World Championships offer a blend of skating and the art of the fancy, artistic figures created on the ice by skaters’ blades.
- October 6 – 8 | Flaming Leaves Festival including the FIS Lake Placid Continental Cup Ski Jumping | Olympic Jumping Complex
This is the best of all worlds: world class athletes in ski jumping competition against the backdrop of fall colors, live music, crafts, food and beer vendors and activities for the whole family. Let’s also throw in a gondola ride and zipline.
For those interested in our fall foliage season, most years the colors will remain until the middle or third week of October, depending on weather conditions. Make plans now to enjoy fall splendor together with unique Lake Placid activities and memories.
(Many thanks to Lake Placid Legacy Sites for the aforementioned information)
(Cover image was taken Oct. 14, 2018)