On Thursday evening in Lake Placid the town was abuzz with talk of the "epic" Nor'easter spinning toward us and the entire Northeast. This, as the village was filling up with excited young athletes arriving to compete in the Empire State Winter Games, many for the very first time. Friday morning saw snow piling up around the region, with at least a foot predicted to fall throughout Friday and into Saturday.

Snow piling up on Friday, Feb. 8
Snow piling up on Main Street on Friday morning, Feb. 8, 2013

The check-in center here at the Conference Center at Lake Placid was swarming with kids and parents, anxious to pick up their credentials and uniforms for the big event. The Empire State Winter Games, now in it's 33rd year, celebrates the youth of the state in competition from Thursday to Sunday, February 7 - 10. Nineteen different winter sports disciplines will be represented over the four days of competition, including adaptive sports. 2010 Olympian and 4-time Norton U.S. National Luge Champion, Chris Mazdzer spoke to the Empire State Winter Game athletes via video at the Opening Ceremony last night. Mazdzer was on the track competing at the time of the ceremony and wasn't able to appear in person.

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony of Empire State Winter Games - Feb. 7, 2013

Also on tap this weekend, through Saturday is the Viessman Luge World Cup event at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. International team competition has the town filled with athletes from all over the world for this always exciting event in Lake Placid. Following Lake Placid's competition, the athletes will move on to Vatra Dornei, Romania, then Sochi, Russia, site of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, for more action in the 2013 World Cup tour.

For anyone and everyone with the competitive spirit, you can even join in yourself this weekend, as USA Luge sponsors its exciting and ever-popular annual International Toboggan Races at the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute on Friday evening. Anyone can enter teams for a donation of $10 per person or $40 per sled. Toboggans are provided to all racers. Race action will kick off at 6 pm on Friday, February 8.

 

Lake Placid Toboggan Chute
Lake Placid Toboggan Chute

In neighboring Saranac Lake, the 116th edition of Winter Carnival will be wrapping up a 10 day stretch of events, including in the Gala Parade on Saturday at 1 pm. In a strange and fitting twist of fate, our big Nor'easter has been named "NEMO" by the Weather Channel, coordinating nicely with the theme of the 2013 Winter Carnival: "Under the Sea"! The 10 day carnival schedule culminates in the annual slide show at the famous Ice Palace at 7:30 pm on Sunday evening, followed by the "Storming of the Palace" fireworks extravaganza at 8 pm.

Saranac Lake Ice Palace
Saranac Lake Ice Palace

What better place to be snowed in on this epic weekend in the Adirondacks! If the events aren't enough to keep you busy, check out our 5 Recommended Ways to Play in the Adirondack Snow. Have a great time and Invent Your Own Perfect Day of winter fun in Lake Placid!