Lake Placid – As we turn the page to February, the Mirror Lake Inn, Upstate New York’s quintessential lakeside spa and resort, anticipates a month of activities and events. With snow piling up in the Adirondacks and Mirror Lake itself acting as a winter recreational playground, we are preparing for a month to remember.
Let’s also add several elite level events in Lake Placid, namely the annual Empire State Winter Games Feb. 2-5, followed by the return of FIS World Cup ski jumping Feb. 10-12.
Activities
It took a while for winter to cooperate, but recent cold temperatures and consistent snowfall will make February look like…well…February.
We begin the discussion with the wealth of winter sports available to our guests right on Mirror Lake. The best part – no driving or lengthy walks to get there. Just wander outside the hotel, and from our front door, get a wide view of the variety of lakeside and lakefront activities available to you.
Ask our front desk for complimentary snow shoes, first come first served. Then just meander to the lake and start walking. Also, bring your cross-country skis, walk alongside The Cottage Café and stride onto Mirror Lake. These come with no access fees. Bring ice skates, too, because if conditions warrant, the Town of North Elba will clear a skating lane along the perimeter of the lake so visitors can take a long, outdoor skate.
The Cottage Café has two ice rinks open for all to use: one for skating; the other with nets for hockey players. When you’ve exhausted all that, just enter The Cottage Café for your favorite beverage and a hand-crafted lunch. Ask about the peppermint hot chocolate!
And of course, don’t forget the uber popular toboggan chute on Mirror Lake next to the public beach. It’s a five-minute walk from the inn via the lake or Main Street. The fees are nominal and the sleds are provided. Check the weblink above for hours of operation.
And let’s not forget dog sledding. Mirror Lake has vendors on both ends, one closest to the Mirror Lake Inn, the other near the toboggan chute.
– All Mirror Lake activities are weather and conditions permitting –
Empire State Winter Games
In short, this is the yearly Olympics for residents of New York State and those athletes from out of state who train here. Organized by the Adirondack Sports Council and sponsored by Community Bank, the ESWG is the largest multi-sport event of its kind in the Northeast. You can expect to see some of these competitors in future Winter Olympic Games.
The venues in and around Lake Placid, Wilmington, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake will conduct 22 different sport disciplines, including adaptive. Skiing, figure and speed skating, hockey, Nordic sports and much more keep athletes and spectators engaged.
World Cup ski jumping
This event is back after a 33-year hiatus. When the top jumpers in the world tackle the Olympic Jumping Complex, they will find a site that has been completely renovated and modernized the past two years.
This highly anticipated meet, including many recent Olympians, will consist of men’s ski jumping on the 128-meter jump with athletes from Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Austria, Germany and more, including top flyers from the USA all competing for World Cup points. DJ, announcers, games and giveaways will also be part of the show.
**Please note: ticket demand for the ski jumping competition is already at peak demand. Buy your tickets now and don’t get closed out!
In fact, with Presidents’ Week getting closer, we suggest booking your stay now, and don’t get closed out!