Mt. Van Hoevenberg is the Olympic Sports Complex a few miles outside the village, and it offers one of the most unusual experiences in the Adirondacks: a ride down an Olympic bobsled track. The track here dates to the 1932 Games, and the modern run has hosted world championships and training for top teams. Visitors can book a bobsled experience in which a professional pilot and brakeman take you down a section of the real track at speed, feeling the walls and the curves exactly as athletes do. In winter the run is made of ice and the ride is the genuine thing. In summer, wheeled bobsleds roll down the same course on a different surface, and the complex runs other warm-weather activities. The adrenaline is the draw, but the setting also gives context to the sliding sports, with the start house, the finish area and the long concrete curves of the track visible from the access road.
The complex offers more than one activity. A mountain coaster loops through the forest, giving a thrill that works for a wider range of ages than the bobsled, and cross-country skiing trails radiate from the base for winter visitors. Biathlon facilities, where skiers shoot rifles between laps, are located here, and the venue can be a spectator experience when competitions are on.
Summer brings hiking and mountain biking options on the same trails, and the complex has a lodge for rentals and food. Because it is run by the same authority that operates other Olympic venues, combination tickets are available for visitors planning multiple stops.
Booking matters. Bobsled rides have limited capacity, and winter weekends sell out, so reserve ahead and check age, height and weight rules. Conditions affect operations: warm spells can shorten ice rides, and storms can close the road. Dress warmly and expect to wear a helmet. Riders sit in the sled with a pilot at the front and a brakeman at the back, and the ride lasts under a minute, which feels very fast.
Photography at speed is not part of the program, but video packages are sometimes offered. For those not willing to ride, watching a practice run or exploring the venue's exhibits is still worthwhile.
Getting there is easy. The complex is a short drive from Lake Placid, and parking is on site. Many visitors combine it with the ski jumps and the Olympic Center for an Olympic sights day, ending with dinner on Main Street. Families with younger children should look at the coaster and the trails rather than the bobsled, which has minimum requirements.
Check the seasonal schedule, since offerings vary between winter and summer, and arrive early on busy weekends. For anyone with a taste for speed and an interest in sports history, this is the most memorable activity in Lake Placid and a standout among Olympic experiences worldwide.
Arrive early for check-in and a short safety briefing, wear warm layers under the provided gear, and tie back long hair. If you have mobility concerns, ask the staff how the loading area works before you reserve. Spectators are generally welcome to watch from designated areas, which makes it easy for a mixed group to share the outing, with some riding and others cheering with a hot drink.
After the ride, the lodge and trails give you somewhere to warm up, and the nearby John Brown Farm makes a quieter second stop on the same drive.
What to expect
The experience
A bobsled ride on the Olympic track with a pilot, plus a mountain coaster, cross-country trails and biathlon facilities at the sports complex.
Best time
Winter for the real ice run; summer for wheeled sleds and the coaster. Book weekends well ahead.
How long
Two to three hours including check-in and waiting.
Tips
Reserve online, read the age and weight limits, dress warmly and bring a camera for the lodge and track views.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Thrill seekers and sports fans.
- Families
- The coaster and trails suit younger children; the bobsled has minimum requirements.
- Couples
- A shared adrenaline ride followed by a warm dinner makes a fun couples outing.
- Pair with
- Pair with the ski jumps and Olympic Center for an Olympic day.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
Is it a real Olympic track?+
Yes. The track dates to the 1932 Olympics and has been used for world-level competition, and visitors ride a section with a professional pilot.
What is available in summer?+
Wheeled bobsleds, the mountain coaster, hiking and biking trails operate in warm months, depending on the year's schedule.
Are there age limits?+
Yes. Bobsled rides have minimum age, height and weight rules, so check before booking with children.
How long is the ride?+
The ride itself is under a minute, but the visit including check-in is a couple of hours.
Should you book ahead?+
Yes. Capacity is limited, especially on winter weekends and holidays.
