Lake Placid Gears Up to Celebrate the Olympic Spirit
Jan 23, 2026 10:35AM ● By Kenzie Shiver
Lake Placid, NY – With the Winter Olympics Games just two weeks away, excitement is building across the North Country, and there is no place where the Olympic spirit shines brighter than Lake Placid.
As the proud host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games, Lake Placid holds a special place in winter sports history. This February 6-22, while the world turns its attention to the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, Lake Placid will once again step into the spotlight – not as a host city, but as a living legacy of Olympic excellence.
Local organizations are planning a full slate of community and visitor events designed to honor the village’s Olympic past, rally behind Team USA, and inspire the next generation of athletes. Visitors and residents alike can explore iconic venues, try Olympic sports firsthand, and take part in special themed activities celebrating the Games.
From the Olympic Center and Whiteface Mountain to the ski jumps that defined legendary moments like the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” Lake Placid offers a rare chance to experience where Olympic history truly lives on. The celebration serves as a reminder that the Olympic spirit is not just about medals – it is about perseverance, pride, and community.
As the countdown to the Winter Games continues, NBC Watertown is inviting viewers to join the celebration from home with our Winter Olympics Word of the Day contest. During the Games, viewers will have the opportunity to win $100 daily by watching on NBC Watertown, catching the Word of the Day presented by our sponsors, and entering for a chance to win.
Whether you are visiting Lake Placid to feel the Olympic energy in person or watching the world’s greatest athletes compete from your living room, the next few weeks promise to be filled with excitement, history, and hometown pride.
For full coverage of the Winter Olympic Games, local celebrations, and contest details, stay tuned to NBC Watertown – where Olympic moments, past and present, continue to shine.
