Arrive Magazine - November/December, 2009

It’s no wonder that
everyone in this
town is so darn
healthy and ruddy-
cheeked. It’s not
unusual for residents
to take part of the
afternoon off from
work to go cross-
country skiing
before returning to
their jobs.

Mo Rocca channels the 1980 U.S. hockey team in front of the goal formerly tended by Jim Craig. Right: 1930s kating legend Sonja Henie.

The oval track in front of Lake Placid High School was the speed skating track where Eric Heiden won five gold medals. (Interesting fact: Heiden’s 29-inch thighs were almost as thick as my waist.) Both the 1932 Jack Shea and the 1980 Herb Brooks arenas are in constant use by college and high school teams and recreational skaters. And the bobsled track, one of only two in the United States, is fun for anyone who wants to ride along with a professional driver and brakeman. The track is also used for luge and skeleton.

(I was told the luge is far more demanding than the skeleton, that a dead body on a skeleton would make it down the track. I was told this by a luge guy.) And as for that 120-meter ski jump: Elevators take you

to the top for a cocktail party space with spectacular vie ws.

The Olympic Museum is beyond charming, with mementos of 1930s figure skating legend Sonja Henie. (I had no idea she dated Tyrone Power.) The very first winter gold ever awarded (in 1924, by Lake Placid homeboy Charles Jew-traw) is on display. And the 1980 “ Miracle on Ice” hockey showdown between the Americans and Soviets plays on a continual loop, next to goalie Jim Craig’s equipment. Even though I well remember the result ( 4-3 victory for USA!), I was held in suspense rewatching it in the museum. When Al Michaels shouted, “Do you believe in miracles?” I leapt up in celebration. The end of the Cold War really did ruin the Olympics.