Despite less-than-favorable weather here in New York City this week, one plus is how the world outside mirrors the vibe of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics right now: snowy, icy, and absolutely high stakes.
With one of the only acceptable activities being tuning into the Games wrapped in blankets on the couch, many of us have quietly become expert spectators—suddenly fluent in scoring systems and split times.
From Alissa Liu’s gravity-defying, gold-medal-winning spins to the razor-thin margins of a four-person bobsled threading its way through a labyrinth of ice at 80 miles per hour, we’ve grown surprisingly familiar with the rules, the risks, and the razor-edge precision that define these events.
Subsequently, if you’ve ever watched a bobsled hurtle down an icy track and thought, “I could probably do that,” consider this your sign to put on a brave face, because there’s a winter adventure unlike any other waiting for you. Once our current storm begins to thaw, that is.
Located along one of the most scenic trips from NYC, there’s a legendary Olympic village tucked away in the Adirondacks where the Miracle on Ice isn’t just a history lesson—it’s part of the local DNA. We’re talking about Lake Placid, where Olympic dreams feel close enough to touch and the journey there is just as cinematic as the destination.
🚂 The journey: A 10-hour cinematic escape
Your journey begins right in NYC. Board the Amtrak Adirondack at Moynihan Train Hall for a 10-hour trek that is widely ranked as one of the most stunning train routes in the world. You’ll swap skyscrapers for frozen riverbanks and snow-dusted pines as you wind north toward the only place in the East where you can actually ride a real Olympic bobsled.
- The Route: Departing from Moynihan Train Hall, the train hugs the eastern bank of the Hudson River before winding through the sheer rock faces and frozen marshlands of the Lake Champlain Valley.
- The View: In winter, you’ll see bald eagles over the ice and the snow-capped Adirondack High Peaks looming in the distance.
- The Logistics: You’ll disembark at the Westport, NY station, where a pre-booked shuttle or taxi will whisk you 40 minutes into the heart of the Lake Placid Olympic Village.
⛸️ Where to start: The Olympic Center & Miracle Plaza
Your first stop should be the Olympic Center on Main Street. This isn’t a dusty archive; it’s a living monument that recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation.
- Miracle Plaza: Walk into the soaring atrium to see the original “USA vs USSR” scoreboard from the 1980 Games.
- Olympic Museum: Home to the second-largest collection of Winter Olympic artifacts in North America. In early 2026, the museum features special exhibits linking Lake Placid’s heritage to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games.
- Legacy Tours: Join a guided walk to stand at center ice in the Herb Brooks Arena, where the “Miracle on Ice” actually happened.
🏔️ What to expect: A Scenic Mountain Town Awaits
Lake Placid offers a rare blend of high-speed adrenaline and high-end relaxation, creating a destination that appeals to both thrill-seekers and those looking to unwind. The town itself has the charm of a Swiss Alpine village transplanted into Upstate New York, with Main Street lined with cozy taverns, outdoor fire pits, and shops selling everything from Olympic jerseys to local maple syrup. W
While the Olympic venues—Whiteface Mountain, Mt. Van Hoevenberg, and the Jumping Complex—are spread out across the area, getting around is easy thanks to the free Placid XPRSS shuttle, which allows visitors to explore without worrying about mountain parking.
🛷 Bobsled and Skeleton: The Ultimate Adrenaline Hit
Located at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, this is the only place in the East to get your “sliding” fix.
- The Bobsled: You’ll be sandwiched between a professional driver and a brakeman in a real four-man sled. Expect to pull 4-5 Gs as you scream through the “Shady II” and “Labyrinth” curves at 55+ mph. Note: this experience is currently undergoing track updates, so it’s important to check the official calendar for when the next available bookings will be.
- The Skeleton: For the truly fearless, you can launch head-first on a solo sled. You’ll be just inches from the ice, steering with your shoulders and knees at 30 mph. Note: Skeleton sessions are offered on select dates in Jan/Feb and require advance booking.
⛷️ Skiing, Snowboarding, and Skating: Iconic Adirondack Ice
- Whiteface Mountain: Boasting the greatest vertical drop in the Northeast (3,430 feet), Whiteface is where Olympic legends were made. It features a high-speed gondola and runs that range from the terrifying “Slides” to gentle cruisers.
- The Speed Skating Oval: Step onto the 400m outdoor James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval. This is the exact ice where Eric Heiden won five gold medals in 1980. In February 2026, the Oval hosts “Themed Nights” where the ice is illuminated in the colors of the Olympic rings.
🚠 Other things to do: Beyond the Adrenaline
- The Skyride: Take an 8-passenger gondola to the base of the Olympic Ski Jumps, then ride a glass elevator to the top of the 128m tower. The view of the Adirondack wilderness from the jump-off point is arguably the best in the state.
- Dog Sledding: During peak winter weeks, professional dog sled teams offer rides across the frozen surface of Mirror Lake—no reservation needed, just look for the teams on the ice!
- Toboggan Chute: A 30-foot high converted trestle that sends your sled flying 1,000 feet across the frozen lake.
So, whether you’re ready to pull 5 Gs on a bobsled run or you’d rather just sip a spiked hot cocoa while watching the pros fly off the ski jumps, Lake Placid is waiting. It’s the closest you’ll get to standing on the podium without having to wake up at 4 AM to train in spandex. To learn more, see Amtrak and Lake Placid’s official websites.