We Are NYMeets Olympians and Future Olympic Hopefuls and Highlights New York’s Olympic Future

Visit Showcases New York's Continued Leadership in World-Class Sport, Athlete Development and Year-Round Recreation

Governor Kathy Hochul today visited Lake Placid's Olympic venues where she met with Team USA athletes, national team members and the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. The visit showcased how New York's Olympic venues support elite athlete training, international competition, community recreation and year-round tourism while highlighting the first major events of the Olympic Regional Development Authority's 2026-2027 season.

“From its storied Olympic legacy to its world-class facilities, Lake Placid stands as one of the top destinations for winter sport and year round recreation anywhere in the world,” Governor Hochul said. “As we look to bring the Olympic torch back to New York for 2042, today's announcement of the ORDA's 2026-27 schedule of premiere events underscores why this region is ready to welcome the world once again. There is no better place to showcase the very best of athletic competition and New York's enduring spirit.”

The visit also comes as New York State's recently announced Exploratory Committee begins evaluating the long-term potential of a future Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games concept centered on Lake Placid and New York City. While separate from that work, today's visit showcased the world-class venues, athlete development system and event-hosting expertise that continue to distinguish New York as a global leader in winter sport.

During the visit, Governor Hochul met with former Olympians and Paralympians, athletes who recently competed at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and current Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls training toward future Games. The Governor also toured Olympic facilities that continue to serve as year-round hubs for elite sport, community recreation and international events.

The Governor's visit comes as the Olympic Authority prepares for another exceptional season of international competition. The upcoming calendar reflects New York's continued leadership in Olympic and Paralympic sport, athlete development and year-round recreation while demonstrating the strength of the venues, expertise and experience that distinguish the state's Olympic Region.

The 2026-2027 calendar builds upon another successful year for the Olympic Authority, during which its venues hosted Olympic and Paralympic qualifying events, welcomed more than 1.2 million visits and set new visitation records at Whiteface, Gore and Belleayre Mountains. The season also included the successful hosting of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup Finals, further demonstrating New York's ability to deliver premier international sporting events.

Decades of sustained investment, successful event hosting and year-round venue operations have established the technical expertise, infrastructure and athlete development system that distinguish New York's Olympic Region today. Those ongoing accomplishments are among the assets informing the Exploratory Committee's independent evaluation.

2026-2027 Major International & Collegiate Events

WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Finals: October 2-4, 2026

Lake Placid will host the season finale of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, featuring Cross-country World Cup competition at Mt Van Hoevenberg and Downhill World Cup racing at Whiteface Mountain. As the final stop of the international circuit, the event will crown the 2026 overall World Cup champions.

The 2025 Lake Placid competition generated an estimated $10.7 million in total economic activity, including $6.7 million in direct visitor spending and $1.4 million in state and local tax revenue, supporting local businesses and communities across the North Country.

IBSF Para Sport World Cup: December 17-18, 2026

Mt Van Hoevenberg hosts the IBSF Para Sport World Cup, welcoming the world's top Para bobsled and Para skeleton athletes for elite international competition. The event reflects New York's continued leadership in adaptive sport and athlete development while showcasing the Olympic Region's world-class sliding facilities.

Stifel FIS NorAm Cup: January-February 2027

Whiteface Mountain hosts North America's premier continental alpine racing series, where many of the continent's top emerging athletes compete for FIS points and World Cup opportunities.

Lake Placid Freestyle Aerials, an Azerbaijan FIS World Cup: January 15-16, 2027

The Olympic Jumping Complex welcomes the world's top aerial skiers for individual and mixed team competition as part of the FIS Freestyle World Cup circuit.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard SuperTour: January 29-31, 2027

Mt Van Hoevenberg hosts the nation's highest level of domestic cross-country ski racing, providing a critical pathway to international competition and future World Cup participation.

Stifel Lake Placid Ski Jumping Cup, a Viessmann FIS World Cup: February 6-7, 2027

Men's and women's World Cup ski jumping returns to the Olympic Jumping Complex, continuing Lake Placid's role as North America's premier stop on the international ski jumping circuit.

Anticipated: Stifel FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships: March 2-12, 2027

Pending final confirmation, Whiteface Mountain will host the world's top junior alpine ski racers for the first time since 1994 as future Olympic and World Cup stars compete across multiple disciplines.

ECAC Hockey Women's Championship: March 5-6, 2027

The championship returns to the Olympic Center following a record-setting inaugural tournament in Lake Placid that produced the highest attendance in conference history.

ECAC Hockey Men's Championship: March 19-20, 2027

The Olympic Center again hosts one of college hockey's premier championship weekends as teams compete for the Whitelaw Cup and an NCAA Tournament berth.

More Events to Be Announced

Additional regional and national competitions, training camps, youth championships, collegiate tournaments and community events will be announced throughout the year, complementing a robust calendar that includes the ACHA Fall Faceoff Invitational, Adirondack Winter Invitational, CAN/AM Challenge Cup, Empire State Winter Games, Flaming Leaves Festival and U.S. Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined National Championships at the Olympic Jumping Complex, along with seasonal festivals, races and recreational programming.

Together, these events reinforce New York's Olympic venues as year-round destinations for sport, recreation and tourism while supporting local businesses, attracting visitors from around the world and creating opportunities for athletes at every level.

The expanding calendar reflects New York State's continued commitment to world-class venues, athlete development and public access. The expanding calendar reflects New York State's continued commitment to world-class venues, athlete development and public access. Those ongoing accomplishments continue to strengthen New York's Olympic legacy while informing the separate work of the Exploratory Committee as it independently evaluates the long-term potential for a future Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games concept centered on Lake Placid and New York City.

Olympic Authority President & CEO Ashley Walden said, “Our venues continue to demonstrate why New York is one of the world's premier destinations for winter sport and year-round recreation. From developing the next generation of Olympians to hosting World Cup competition and welcoming millions of visitors each year, these venues are creating opportunities that benefit athletes, communities and New York State. We appreciate Governor Hochul's continued commitment to ensuring these facilities remain among the very best in the world.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Lake Placid remains a world class destination that continues to welcome athletes, events and fans from around the globe. Governor Hochul’s investments to support the Olympic Authority’s facilities and sporting infrastructure have ensured that this historic Adirondack community can continue to grow its legacy as a home for winter sports.”

Assemblymember Michael Cashman said, “I am incredibly excited by the prospect of the Winter Games once again being held in breathtaking Lake Placid. The Adirondacks rich Olympic legacy as well as recent investments made in these iconic facilities have uniquely positioned us as an excellent candidate to host future games. While these future games will surely look different, in conjunction with a destination like New York City, I believe New York State will tap into its ability to innovate and lead, serving as the perfect example of how we can properly promote recreation and tourism while preserving our world-class natural environments. I look forward to continuing these discussions and thank Assemblyman Carroll and the Governor for their leadership in highlighting our state's unique potential.”

Assemblymember Robert Carroll said, “I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership in creating this exploratory committee and for her continued investment in the Lake Placid Legacy Sites. By preserving and modernizing these iconic venues, she is ensuring that New York’s Olympic legacy remains a foundation for the future. As a member of the Governor’s exploratory committee, I believe we have a unique opportunity to bring together Lake Placid’s world-class winter sports infrastructure and New York City’s unmatched venues and transportation network. This effort is about more than hosting the Games, it’s about bringing upstate and downstate together and proving that the distance between our communities has never been measured in miles, but only in imagination”

North Elba Supervisor Rick Preston said, “The Town of North Elba appreciates New York State's continued investment in our Olympic venues and the Olympic Authority’s outstanding stewardship of these world-class facilities. Their success has strengthened our community, enhanced our reputation and positioned Lake Placid to welcome even more premier winter events in the years ahead.”

Lake Placid Mayor Art Devlin said, “A special thanks to Governor Hochul for her continued interest and investment in the Adirondacks. Without the backing of New York State, none of our Olympic venues would have been upgraded to modern day standards, and the world university games would not have been possible. Looking to the future, thanks again for the special committee that has been put in place to see if our participation in future Olympics is a good fit for Ne York State.”

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