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Fun on the ice

Rinks, loops, and winter thrills

What's winter without some on-the-ice fun? Lake Placid has ice, and plenty of it, for all of your skating fun.

Visitors are happy to find our historic rinks offer open skating times with skate rentals. Rather skate under the open sky? In the winter, as conditions allow, the village prepares a beautiful skating loop on Mirror Lake and several cleared natural rinks for skating and pick-up hockey games. Free and open to the public, Mirror Lake is always bustling with skaters of all ages and abilities.

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A close up shot of a person's ice skates.
People ice skating at indoor ice rink in Lake Placid.
Embrace the chill

Skate into your perfect winter day

Lace up a pair of skates and make skating part of your perfect winter day in Lake Placid. If you don’t have your own, no worries—you can rent skates at Locker Room 5 on Main Street or at the Olympic Speed Skating Oval, where you can glide across the same ice that once hosted Olympians. Whether you're looking to practice your spins or simply enjoy a leisurely skate with stunning mountain views, these rental spots make it easy to get on the ice and experience the magic of skating in this legendary winter town.

Wondering where to stay and what to do after skating the day away? We have the answers you're looking for, along with suggestions of where to fill up and replenish your energy with a delicious bite to eat!

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Two figure skatings performing in Lake Placid
Lake Placid's ice skating legacy and figure skating events

The enduring magic of figure skating

In the mid-1930s Hollywood made a series of movies featuring Sonja Henie, a three-time Olympic champion in the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Winter Olympic Games. These films featured big, lavish production numbers with a multitude of skaters performing synchronized shows. The popularity of these films waned during the '40s, but Americans were in love with skating! Henie went on to perform in traveling ice skating shows and forever cemented them in popular American entertainment.

Today, Lake Placid continues to attract annual skating shows like the Stars on Ice tour, as well as individual skating competitions. Many skaters spend the summer season here practicing and performing in the traditional Saturday Night Ice Shows. In the winter, you can catch thrilling figure skating events at the Empire State Winter Games, where athletes of all levels showcase their talent. Throughout the year, additional competitions and exhibitions bring skaters from near and far to the historic Olympic Center. Even on a regular day, you might spot figure skaters gracefully practicing on the ice, adding to the village’s rich skating culture. Be sure to check out the events calendar for the latest shows and other skating events.

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Frozen Mirror Lake in Lake Placid during the winter.
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Winter Fun on Mirror Lake

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Each winter, as Mirror Lake freezes, it transforms into a magical winter wonderland, perfect for skating, pond hockey, and endless outdoor fun!