March 06, 2014

Trail sign indicating the beginning of the Porter Mountain Loops
Trail sign indicating the beginning of the Porter Mountain Loops

Skiing the Porter Mountain Loops found at the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex is as good as cross-country skiing gets!! The challenging terrain once used for the cross-country ski events in the 1980 Winter Olympics combined with the top-notch grooming by the staff at Mt. Van Ho make for an optimal experience any day that mother nature has blessed with enough snow to slide on. 

Challenging Terrain

The terrain out on the "Porter Mountain Loops" is steep, I mean really steep. There are climbs out there that will leave you breathless, and descents like “Peggy’s Puddle” that will leave you smiling from ear to ear. The tracks are nice and wide giving skiers plenty of room to maneuver around the high-speed corners. There is never any worry about getting stuck out there for longer than you want. As you go along the route there are signs indicating a quick route back to the “stadium” at regular intervals. Whether you are skating, or skiing in the classic technique be prepared to have your aerobic limits challenged. Out of the entire 50 kilometers of trail at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, the 10 known as the "Porter Mountain Loops" are by far the most challenging.

A very common sight on the Porter Mountain Loops, climbing
A very common sight on the Porter Mountain Loops, climbing

For an absolutely ideal cross-country skiing experience make it out to the “Big Rock” loop on a sunny winter day. Your long journey to the furthest reaches of the Mt. Van Hoevenberg trail system will be rewarded by an exciting downhill cruise while basking in the sunshine on this south facing trail. To get there from the stadium head out on “Flatlander” to “East Mountain Cutoff.” Just beyond the access to South Meadow Farm you’ll see the sign indicating the beginning of the “Porter Mountain Loops.” As mentioned before once you enter the “Porter Mountain” loops you will have may opportunities to head back to the stadium with out completing the entire 10K loop.

 The Lake Placid Loppet

A competitor attacks the final climb on the Porter Mountain Loops during the Lake Placid Loppet
A competitor attacks the final climb on the Porter Mountain Loops during the Lake Placid Loppet

On Saturday, March 8th hundreds of skiers from all over the Northeastern U.S. and Canada will challenge their endurance in the 31st Annual Lake Placid Loppet. Skiers compete in either the classical or skate discipline on a very challenging 25K kilometer course. Competitors choosing to challenge themselves on the full 50K marathon distance will complete two laps of the course, which includes two arduous tours nearly to the end of the “Porter Mountain Loops.” Inexperienced 50K participants are likely to find themselves particularly challenged by their second time around.

The unique terrain of the “Porter Mountain Loops” is just one of the many reasons that a visit to Lake Placid is not complete without checking out the cross-country skiing venue at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. While the “Porter Mountain Loops” and the Loppet may be suitable for experienced skiers there is plenty of terrain for skiers who are new to the sport. Lessons and rentals are available as well. 

Trail sign indicating the beginning of the Porter Mountain Loops
Trail sign indicating the beginning of the Porter Mountain Loops
A very common sight on the Porter Mountain Loops, climbing
A very common sight on the Porter Mountain Loops, climbing
A competitor attacks the final climb on the Porter Mountain Loops during the Lake Placid Loppet
A competitor attacks the final climb on the Porter Mountain Loops during the Lake Placid Loppet

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