Lake Placid – For nearly 100 years, the Olympic Games, Lake Placid and the Mirror Lake Inn have been intertwined.
The Mirror Lake Inn Olympic history connection started in 1932 when the Winter Games first came to this village. The Norwegian delegation, including gold medal figure skater Sonja Henie, were lodged at the inn. Henie won the second of her three Olympic titles right here.
Fast forward to 2026, guests can see the Olympic silver (2014) and bronze (2010) medals captured by hotel Vice President Andrew Weibrecht, son of inn owners Ed and Lisa Weibrecht. Andrew’s hardware, achieved in alpine skiing, is displayed on a wall behind the front desk.
Over those many years, countless guests with Olympic ties have stayed here, including the famous cast of Stars on Ice, led by Olympic figure skating champion Scott Hamilton. He headed a veritable who’s who of Olympic medalists who joined Hamilton’s popular touring show when their competition days ended.
Needless to say, if you are a fan of the Olympic Games, our Upstate New York hotel resort should become your Lake Placid basecamp for history.
Purchase the Lake Placid Legacy Sites Passport and tour the 1980 venues summer and winter. A cool 48-hour visit could easily include these experiences. Sounds good? Make sure to visit the Olympic Jumping Complex on Rt. 73. Even in summertime, ski jumpers are training on the artificial surfaces of the Lake Placid jumps where distances are the same as in winter.
While you’re there, hop on the SkyRide gondola and journey up the hill as jumpers are flying downhill. The Sky Flyer zipline, at the same site, will also call your name. And then of course, you must take the 26-story elevator ride to the top of the HS (Hill Size) 128 jumping hill for the most amazing views of the North Country.
Drive a few more minutes from Lake Placid, still on Rt. 73, and visit the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Here’s where you can get the thrilling half-mile Lake Placid bobsled experience on one of only three such tracks in North America. The Lake Placid course hosts international sliding events annually.
While you’re there, the Cliffside Coaster beckons. It’s a ride on rails, above the ground, where you control your own speed (within reason, of course).
Head Northeast on Rt. 86 to Whiteface Mountain and take a Cloudsplitter Gondola ride to the summit of Little Whiteface Mountain. Three miles past the ski center, you can access the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway. Go through the toll and proceed to the top of New York’s fifth highest peak.
Prior to ending your stay in the Adirondacks, please visit the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum. Located in the Olympic Center, it’s about one mile from the inn straight down Main Street. Here’s where you can relive the events that were held in 1932 and 1980, including the memorable Miracle on Ice. The “USA, USA” chant was born in this rink.
All venues are within a 20-minute drive from our Lake Placid luxury lakeside resort and come with our promise to you: the Mirror Lake Inn will enable you to rest and recharge as your Olympic sites itinerary moves from day to day.
We’re proud to say this is where to stay for Lake Placid sports events.