Your Adirondack chair is waiting up in Lake Placid. (Shawn Holes)

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If Lake Placid only stirs up memories of 1980's United States’ "Miracle on Ice" Olympic hockey victory over the Soviet Union, then it’s time to update yourself. The Lake Placid/Keene Valley area is a year-round, gold-medal destination with something for everyone. It is set squarely in the famous Adirondacks, with easy access to high peaks such as 5,344-foot Mount Marcy, endless miles of hiking trails, and acres of flatwater paddling—all in the midst of fresh pine. And that's only in the summer.

Winter is arguably even better, considering this is also the area that made winter sports famous in the early 20th century. In 1904 and 1905, Melvil Dewey at the Lake Placid Club opened his popular summer resort during the snowy months for guests to experiment with skis, snowshoes, and toboggans. Interest in recreational and competitive winter sports increased over the years, and the community hosted many international winter sporting events, including the 1932 Winter Olympics.

The winter sports tradition continues today. In wintertime, Lake Placid’s hiking trails are cross-country central, the falling water turns to ice for unparalleled ice climbing, and Whiteface Mountain offers Olympic downhill runs. And that's not the only Olympic moment you can have—the bobsled run is open in both winter and summer.

Trip Facts

When to go: Year-round

Difficulty rating: Moderate—hardcore