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Everything You Need to Know for the Stifel Lake Placid Cross-Country Finals

Last Updated 03.17.2026
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The Stifel Lake Placid Finals, a COOP FIS Cross-Country World Cup, are coming to Lake Placid March 19–22. Here's everything you need to know for a perfect competition weekend!
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Stifel Lake Placid Finals, a Coop FIS Cross-Country World Cup

The Stifel Lake Placid Finals, a Coop FIS Cross-Country World Cup, is coming soon to Lake Placid, March 19–22, 2026. This event will bring the world's fastest cross-country skiers—many of whom were recently seen at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina—to the trails of legendary Mt Van Hoevenberg

If you want to watch every sprint, climb, and thrilling finish firsthand, you can! And you should. With Olympic-caliber trails, a high-energy stadium atmosphere, and a spectator experience that delivers non-stop fun, this finale will be a celebration of elite competition, winter sport excellence, and our unique Adirondack destination.

Whether you're a die-hard cross-country ski fan or someone whose interest is newly piqued following the 2026 Winter Games, we hope to see you cheering at the sidelines, whooping in the grandstands, and keeping the party going downtown.

To help prepare you for the ultimate weekend of cross-country competition, we've compiled the must-know information for all FIS Cross-country World cup attendees.

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Aerial image of spectators and athletes at a cross-country ski event at Mt Van Hoevenberg
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Schedule

Plan your days around a packed schedule of competition, entertainment, athlete engagement, and more! Each competition day will feature a different theme. Friday's theme will be "Past," Saturday's theme will be "Future," and Sunday's theme will be "Present."

(Schedule as of March 16, check the event website for updates.)

Thursday, March 19
TBA | Athlete training
Friday, March 20 (Theme: Past):
9:00 am | Venue Opens To The Public
11:30 am | 2026 Olympic Winter Games Regional Athlete Recognition (Main Stage)
12:00 pm | 10th Mountain Division Demonstration
1:00 pm | Women’s 10km Interval Start Classic
2:00 pm | Adirondack Bird of Prey Demonstration
2:00 pm | Athlete Conversation With Olympic Legend Thomas Wassberg
2:00 pm | Finals Athlete Interviews (Main Stage)
2:10 pm | Live Music With Fritz’s Polka Band
3:00 pm | Men’s 10km Interval Start Classic
4:00 pm | Finals Athlete Interviews (Main Stage)
4:10 pm | “One More Lap” Legacy Ski With U.S. Ski Team Alumni
Saturday, March 21 (Theme: Future):
9:00 am | Venue Opens To The Public
10:30 am | Women’s Sprint Qualification Free
11:00 am | Men’s Sprint Qualification Free
12:00 pm | Athlete Conversation With Kikkan Randall
12:25 pm | Women In Sports Panel
12:30 pm | L.L.Bean Ambassador Meet & Greet (Premium Area)
12:55 pm | Music & Dance Performance
1:00 pm | Women’s Sprint Final Free
1:30 pm | Men’s Sprint Final Free
Following Sprint Finals | Crystal Globe Presentations & Awards
2:20 pm | Finals Athlete Interviews (Main Stage)
3:00 pm | World Cup Future Stars Sprint (Register here)
6:00 pm | Skirious Podcast Live Recording With Ben Ogden, Frida Karlsson, and Federico Pellegrino — Live From The Olympic Jumping Complex (Register here)
7:00 pm | Threshold Film Screenings — At The Palace Theatre
Sunday, March 22 (Theme: Present):
9:00 am | Venue Opens To The Public
11:00 am | Music & Dance Performance
11:00 am | DJ Set With Announcements And Giveaways
12:25 pm | 10th Mountain Division Color Guard, National Anthem & Flyover
12:30 pm | Men’s 20km Mass Start Free
1:30 pm | Live Music With Austin And The InLaws
2:00 pm | Athlete Conversation With Gus Schumacher & Ben Ogden
2:25 pm | Finals Athlete Interviews (Main Stage)
2:30 pm | Women’s 20km Mass Start Free
3:30 pm | Awards Ceremonies
4:00 pm | Open Team Celebration in The Athlete Area
4:30 pm | One Last Lap: A Celebration of Jessie Diggins and Other Retiring World Cup Skiers (Register here)
Please note: Schedule is weather and conditions dependent, any may be subject to change.
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Spectator map of Mt Van Hoevenberg during the Stifel Lake Placid Finals
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Tickets

Spectators have five different ticket tiers to choose from, with options for 1-day and 3-day admission options. Purchase tickets directly from Mt Van Hoevenberg.

General Admission

General Admission, available as 1-day or 3-day tickets, will grant you access to general viewing areas at the finish line and around the course, as well as access to the public food and beverage station. This ticket teir includes outdoor restrooms and parking at the Lake Placid Horse Show Grounds and North Elba Athletic Fields, with shuttles to and from the venue. 

If you're a Whiteface, Mt Van Hoevenberg, Gore, or Belleayre Season Passholder, access your free General Admission tickets.

Grandstand Ticket

Grandstand tickets, also available as 1-day or 3-day tickets, includes everything from the General Admission tier plus Grandstand seating at the finish line and Grandstand accreditation. Parking, food and beverage access, and restrooms are the same as General Admission.

Premium+ Admission — SOLD OUT

Premium+ Admission includes premier parking at the Olympic Jumping Complex and a welcome gift upon arrival. These attendees are granted exclusive access to the Premium Event Tent by the start/finish area and Grandstand seating at the start/finish line. Also included is Premium accreditation, six beverage tickets, and complimentary light bites. 

Legends Pass

The Legends Pass includes premier onsite parking, a welcome gift upon arrival, and exclusive viewing areas at the Mountain Pass Lodge and finish area, putting you close to all the action. Passholder can also access the Grandstand seating at the start/finish line. In addition to Premium accreditation, this tier has access to special guest appearances, six beverage tickets, and gourmet complimentary dining throughout the event.

Crystal Globe Club

Want the most exclusive Stifel Lake Placid Finals experience? Be part of the Crystal Globe Club! This ticket tier includes premier onsite parking, a welcome gift upon arrival, exclusive viewing areas at the Mountain Pass Lodge and finish area, Premium accreditation, and a althlete meet and greet! Enjoy and open bar throughout the event and gourmet complimentary dining throughout the event.

Credential Pick-up

All Premium, Legends, and Crystal Globe ticket holders can pick up their event credentials at the following times/locations:

  • March 16, 10am–4pm | Lake Placid Conference Center (North Elba Room)
  • March 17, 10am–4pm | Lake Placid Conference Center (North Elba Room)
  • March 18, 10am–4pm | Lake Placid Conference Center (North Elba Room)
  • March 19, 10am–2pm | Lake Placid Conference Center (North Elba Room)
  • March 20, 9am–5pm | Mt Van Hoevenberg (1980 Olympic Biathlon Range)
  • March 21, 9am–5pm | Mt Van Hoevenberg (1980 Olympic Biathlon Range)
  • March 22, 9am–3pm | Mt Van Hoevenberg (1980 Olympic Biathlon Range)
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Parking map for spectators of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup Finals in Lake Placid
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Parking & Shuttles

Most attendees to the Stifel Lake Placid Finals will need to ride a shuttle to and from the venue. All shuttles will begin at 8:45 a.m. and run continuously, with the final shuttle leaving Mt Van Hoevenberg at 5:45 p.m.

Parking locations are designated by ticket tier as outlined below, with shuttles picking up and dropping off at each location.

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To bring, or not to bring...

As you pack your bags for the big day(s), rest assured you can bring the following items:

  • Chairs
  • Backpacks
  • Coolers
  • Skis
  • Blankets
  • Noisemakers
  • Cameras
  • Service animals

Please leave the following at home:

  • Glass containers
  • Alcohol
  • Firearms
  • Explosive and/or incendiary devices
  • Noxious material
  • Electronic stun guns
  • Assault-type items or devices
  • Edged weapons
  • Nuisance items & devices
  • Restraining type items & devices
  • Miscellaneous items deemed inappropriate by security staff
  • Non-service animals of any kind
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Cross-country ski racer Jessie Diggins in race gear celebrating at finish line with arm in the air
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Jessie Diggins: the final laps of a storied career

This will be the final race for American Olympic medalist and cross-country superstar Jessie Diggins, and she looks forward to an energetic home crowd cheering her on! Hailing from Saint Paul, Minnesota, Diggins is the most decorated cross-country athlete in United States history, having won 4 Olympic medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze), 7 World Championship medals, and various other accolades. The 2026 Coop FIS World Cup Finals here in Lake Placid will mark the end of a 15-season World Cup career. Take part in celebrating Jessie's legacy!

Threshold, the Untold Story of Jessie Diggins will screen at the Palace Theatre Friday, March 20–Sunday, March 22 and Tuesday, March 24–Thursday, March 26. Threshold is a feature-length documentary that highlights Diggins' storied career, looking beyond the race course to share Diggins’ personal journey, including her experience with an eating disorder and how seeking professional support and embracing a healthier perspective on mental health reshaped both her career and her life. Find a showing.

At 4:30 p.m. on Sunday March 22, Diggins and other retiring athletes will take one final lap after racing and award ceremonies conclude. Presented by New England Nordic Ski Association, youth cross-country skiers can register to ski alongside Diggins and other athletes. Immediately following race awards and before the “One Last Lap," a special proclamation honoring Diggins will take place.

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Your Lake Placid Experience

If you're visiting Lake Placid for the World Cup Finals, welcome! This is a place with a unique balance of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, arts and culture, and unbeatable amenities where you can invent your own perfect day. Host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games, and many other international sporting events each year, we are accustomed to welcoming the world. In between the racing action, be sure to explore some of what Lake Placid has to offer.

Lodging

From luxurious lakeside lodges to individual vacation rentals and convenient classic motels, there are so many ways to stay in Lake Placid. Whether you're looking for a simple place to rest between the action, or want to make your World Cup experience a full-blown mountain town getaway, find all the relaxation and amenities you want and need.

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Dining

Hearty breakfasts to prepare you for a long race day. Hip, scenic mid-day lunches between World Cup races. Delicious and creative dinners with bar and dessert menus that beg you to linger. Dining in Lake Placid will have you savoring every bite. From family-friendly to AAA Four Diamond, find a restaurant for every occasion during your stay.

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What to do (beyond the World Cup)

There is so much to do here on the cusp of winter and spring. Find helpful resources for planning your trip and getting to Lake Placid—a tiny mountain town within hours of several major northeast metro areas, including New York City, Boston, and Montreal!

While you're here, be sure to experience our legendary Olympic sites and take advantage of all downtown has to offer, including great shopping at lakeside boutiques. This region is known for its incredible outdoor recreation opportunities (the Adirondacks is the largest nature preserve in the lower 48 states!), but it's also home to a vibrant arts and culture scene and plenty of opportunities to relax.

More Events

While the World Cup Finals are the biggest thing happening in Lake Placid March 19–22, it's far from the only thing! Find other fun events going on and build your weekend out with non-stop fun. Other highlights include the ECAC Men's Ice Hockey Championship, with games on Friday at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the famous 1980 Herb Brooks Arena. Try something unique to Lake Placid when you tour the USA Luge Headquarters, or lean into the spring season with Maple Weekend activities.

For the most up-to-date schedule information, to purchase tickets, and to learn more, visit the official Stifel Lake Placid Finals webpage.

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