Get Close to the Action
2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series
Welcoming the world's best riders — and you!
October 2–4, 2026 — Downhill & Cross-Country
The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series returns to Lake Placid in 2026, and this year the competition will be bigger, faster, and final! Lake Placid is thrilled to welcome the world’s top male and female mountain bikers as they compete in the finale of the World Series circuit. We’re talking two action-packed World Cup races against a backdrop of stunning Adirondack fall scenery. Mt Van Hoevenberg will host its third UCI Cross-Country World Cup race, while Whiteface Mountain welcomes its second UCI Downhill World Cup!
These high-adrenaline competitions are a thrill for spectators. Last year's event drew 17,400 total attendance across three days and two venues! Don't miss a moment—learn more and get your tickets!
Plan your spectator experience
Early October is a fantastic time to visit the Lake Placid region. Fall foliage is at peak, bugs are all but gone, and temperatures are ideal for high-adrenaline adventure. With an epic event to center your travel around, it's the perfect excuse to make it a full vacation. Whether you're planning to do some mountain biking yourself, or just love spectating unparalleled athleticism, Lake Placid is THE place to be October 2–4, 2026.
From foliage to flavors, fall is infused in every experience
Gear up for the ultimate fall adventure with the Lake Placid travel guide.
Explore dining options for before, during, and after the action.
Schedule
A complete event schedule is available. These are the daily highlights:
Friday
At Whiteface: Catch Downhill World Cup training and timed training.
At Mt Van Hoevenberg: U23 Men and Women will compete in their Short Track World Cup starting at 9:20 a.m. Following a brief training period, the Elite Women's and Men's Short Track World Cup races start at 11:45 a.m. At 2:00 p.m., kids 8–18 years of age can participate in The Grind Junior XC MTB Race! Cross-Country training will round out the rest of the afternoon.
In Town: Continue the fun at the Friday Night Bike Jam on the Olympic Oval from 5:30–7:30 p.m.! This family-friendly event will have a kid's skills park, a BMX show, live entertainment, and local vendors.
Saturday
At Whiteface: The day starts at 8:30 a.m. with training, followed by a day of qualifying races. The Elite Women and Men will race their first qualifying runs starting at 12:30 p.m. Junior Women and Men start their qualifying runs at 2:00 p.m. Then the Elites take the course again for a second qualifying round at 3:00 p.m.
At Mt Van Hoevenberg: It’s a day of Cross-Country World Cup races! U23 Women race at 9:00 a.m., followed by U23 Men at 11:00 a.m. The Elite Women take the course next, starting at 2:00 p.m., and the day concludes with the Elite Men racing at 4:00 p.m.
Sunday
At Whiteface: This day moves fast, so get there early! Training kicks off at 9:00 a.m. before the Downhill World Cup Races begin. Qualified Junior Women take the course for their World Cup runs at 11:30 a.m., followed by the Junior Men at noon. The Elite Women race their final run of the season starting at 1:00 p.m. and the Elite Men close out the 2026 WHOOP UCI MTB World Series with their final runs down Whiteface starting at 2:10 p.m.
Schedule is subject to change. Check the full schedule for more details.
Spectating is available along the courses, so you'll be in the heart of the action! Whether you're an avid mountain bike fan or you're just curious about the event, this is a spectacle you don't want to miss.
Get your tickets in advance. Even free tickets should be secured in advance.
1-Day General Admission
General admission tickets for Whiteface and Mt Van Hoevenberg on Friday and Saturday, and for Whiteface only on Sunday are:
Ages 22-69 | $20
Ages 13-21 & 70+ | $10
College & Military (with ID) | $10
Season Passholders* | FREE
Ages 12 & Under | FREE
*Season Pass Holders of Belleayre, Gore, Mt Van Hoevenberg, or Whiteface can get free tickets for every day
3-Day (All Event) General Admission
Ages 22-69 | $50
Ages 13-21 & 70+ | $30
College & Military (with ID) | $30
Season Passholders* | FREE
Ages 12 & Under | FREE
Spectator Plus, Premium, and UCI All-Access Experience passes are also available.
Additional details regarding parking and shuttles will be available soon.
Spectating along the course means walking the course, which follows uneven terrain over open ground and through the woods. Dress appropriately and wear sturdy footwear.
Don't miss the vendor villages at Whiteface and Mt Van Hoevenberg! With food, drinks, big name brands, and local businesses, there will be high energy, entertainment, and lots to explore.
The athletes need to stretch their legs and keep their muscles warm, so you may see them out riding the local roads. Be kind and help us show these athletes a warm welcome by sharing the road safely.
Great trails require care. That's where BETA comes in!
Discover the community's favorite mountain biking networks
Will the backdrop of this race be peak? Check the report!
Frequently Asked Questions
Lake Placid offers great opportunities for camping, whether you pitch a tent or drive up in a van or RV, and staying in the great outdoors adds to the adventure of your UCI experience!
Please note that van and RV camping is not permitted at trailheads or in many of the area's parking lots. It's best to book a van or RV-specific site before you arrive.
New York State DEC Campgrounds
NYSDEC campgrounds offer convenient and affordable camping immersed in Adirondack nature. The following nearby campgrounds will be open:
Wilmington Notch (Wilmington)
Fish Creek (Lake Clear)
Putnam Pond (Ticonderoga)
Meacham Lake (Duane)
Lake Harris (Newcomb)
Frontier Town (North Hudson)
Crown Point (Crown Point)
Private Campgrounds
As of 09/18, the following local campgrounds still have available camping:
The area has several fantastic mountain biking trail networks! The following have been hand-picked by our local mountain bike community as must-rides while you are here for the UCI Mountain Bike World Series:
Mt. Pisgah (Saranac Lake)
Craig Wood Trails (Lake Placid)
Hardy Road (Wilmington)
East Branch Community Trails (Keene)
Blueberry Hill Trails (Elizabethtown)
The Adirondack Rail Trail allows class 1 e-bikes.
There are a few bike rental and repair shops in both Lake Placid and Saranac Lake!
Lake Placid was home to two Olympics, and you can still visit all of the Legacy Sites! Walk down Main Street to do some shopping, and get out on Mirror Lake for a relaxing paddleboard or swim.
You could grab a sweet treat at one of the bakeries or coffee shops, and get some bars or other energy snacks at any of the gear shops!
Volunteers are still needed for this year's event! A lot of human power goes into making these events a success for athletes and spectators. Get involved!
Mountain Biking in Lake Placid
Don't let the competitors have all the fun! Take to the trails yourself and experience mountain biking in Lake Placid.
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