World Cup Bobsled & Skeleton!

Photos from flickr user rsgdodge

This weekend, The Olympic Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg will be hosting the third stop of the Veissmann FIBT World Cup competition. Skeleton (single rider, head-first) races are scheduled for Friday, with bobsled (2 man and 4 man) races taking place Saturday and Sunday.

Look for Germany and the US to continue duking out their rivalry on the ice in bobsleigh, while the Brits, Canucks and Yanks are likely to dominate the skeleton races. Admission is free when you bring a new unwrapped toy (stop by the ORDA store on Main St. in Lake Placid for extra passes). Saturday and Sunday will also feature trackside parties and giveaways throughout the day and an ongoing party at the base lodge with the Lake Placid Bavarians and Santa.

Schedule details

Good Eats: Casa del Sol

Casa del Sol is is a small Mexican restaurant located on the way into Saranac Lake from Lake Placid. The place is open for dinner Wednesdays through Saturdays beginning at 4:30 and gets busy quickly - it is better suited for couples or grown families. Inside it's cozy with Mexican art on the walls, colorful candlelit tile tables and a small bar. The menu includes specialties like diablitos de oro - mussels in a fiery tequila broth as well as staples like chimichangas, enchiladas, tostadas and chile relleno. It's easy on the wallet too, with items ranging from $8 to $18 and solid margaritas to boot.

Casa does not take credit cards or reservations, so call ahead to check if there is a wait (518) 891-0977.

Lace up your skates! Olympic Oval now Open!

Photo from flickr user abizeleth

For 07-08 there is public skating weekdays (except Tuesday) from 7-9 pm and weekends/holiday periods from 1-3 pm and 7-9 pm. Bring your skates or rent for just $3 a pair.

A bit of history: at the 1980 Olympics, speed skater Eric Heiden won all five events here (a record breaking 5 gold medals!), setting four Olympic records and a world record in the 10,000 meter. He beat the record by 6.2 seconds after oversleeping following the legendary Miracle on Ice USA vs USSR hockey game the night before!



Check conditions and the oval webcam via ORDA. Call (518) 523-1655 for more information.

Condé Nast Traveler rates Whiteface 4th on Continent!!

The appeal of spending a winter getaway in the High Peaks / Whiteface region of the Adirondacks is becoming an even more open secret...

From ORDA: Only Whistler in Canada, Aspen in Colorado and Deer Valley in Utah ranked ahead of Whiteface among the best places to ski and stay on the continent.

A Who’s Who of ski resorts was listed behind the Adirondack winter icon, including Park City, Stowe, Vail, Telluride, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Mont Tremblant, Beaver Creek, Snowmass, Steamboat and Lake Louise.

“This news may be the most humbling praise we could ever receive,” said Ted Blazer, President and CEO of ORDA. “To be near the top of that list, in the same breath as some of the greatest resorts in the world, will keep us motivated to enhance our varied winter experiences even further. I couldn’t be prouder of our staff that makes this accolade possible, and hats off to the surrounding hotels, motels, shops, restaurants and attractions that really round out our remarkable resort.”

“It is wonderful that our region is being recognized for the very things which we all live here for – the Adirondacks –our destination amenities –our Olympic venues and our quality of life,” said James McKenna, President of the Lake Placid / Essex County Visitors Bureau. “This combination of attributes clearly sets us apart from other resort areas for visitors and residents alike.”

Call (518) 891-2784 to hear about Harbor Hill's great Ski & Stay packages. Experience the winter wonderland that is Whiteface and the Olympic Region!

Whiteface Opens Today for 2007-2008 Season!

Today Whiteface Mountain opened for the 07-08 Winter season! Currently open trails include Exelsior, Summit Express, Upper Valley, Broadway and Lower Valley. The lifts servicing these trails will be the eight passenger Cloudsplitter Gondola and Face Lift quad. The Mixing Bowl as well as Danny's Bridge and Brookside are projected to open on Sunday. Click here to check on trail conditions.

Lessons at the Snow Sports School are also available. The Kids Kampus center for children ages 1-12 is also now open, offering various combinations of instruction and childcare.

White Stuff at Whiteface!

Whiteface made lots of snow this weekend, allowing somebody some very early tracks. Looks like this approaching snowstorm will bring salvation to early season skiers! Winter in the Adirondacks is an unparalleled vacation experience - come see for yourself!

photo: Whiteface/SkiNet

A Great Hike - Ampersand

Some of our guests climbed Ampersand over Columbus Weekend and shared this photo. Ampersand boasts a 3,352 foot bald summit with incredible 360* views including many lakes as well as the High Peaks. The 5.6 mile round trip hike takes about four hours. The first part of the trail is a mile long flat stretch through the forest which is followed by a steep ascent to the top, including some hand over hand bits. Great views in all directions make this a popular hike. Grab some sandwiches from the Lakeview Deli (just minutes from Harbor Hill & Ampersand) and dine at the summit (leaving nothing behind of course!).

Trust us - working up a little sweat hiking through the trees with your friends and family is a fond memory for many visitors and a true Adirondack vacation experience.

The trail head is 8 miles West of Saranac Lake on NY-3.

For more information on hiking Ampersand, check out: The Adirondack Mountain Club's guide to Ampersand