At the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, one of our goals is to connect Olympic history with the issues shaping winter sports today. Snow on Demand grew from that idea and explores how winter is changing and what it takes to keep winter sports alive in a warming world. 

Winter has long defined life in the Adirondacks, shaping recreation, culture, and two historic Olympic Winter Games. But today, rising temperatures and unpredictable snowfall are challenging the traditions and sports that depend on cold and snow. Snow on Demand invites visitors to step inside this moment of change, blending Olympic history with science, technology, and hands-on discovery. 

The exhibit features nine interactive experiences (nearly double the number in the original exhibit, What it Takes to be an Olympian) designed to engage visitors of all ages: 

  • A “what if?” scenario interactive that lets visitors explore how different climate scenarios could affect the future of the winter season.
  • A ski jumping video interactive that puts you in the athlete’s perspective as winter conditions change over time.
  • Two short documentary films, one focused on the details of snowmaking at Whiteface Mountain and another highlighting youth athletes’ experiences growing up and competing in a changing winter.
  • Two microscopes, one for examining natural and artificial snowflakes up close and another showcasing biomimicry samples that inspire the design of winter gear and equipment.
  • A speed skating pace-keeping interactive that challenges visitors to match an Olympic rhythm.
  • An upgraded bobsled ride experience, where visitors can choose between two virtual tracks and learn about the differences between natural ice tracks and refrigerated tracks.
  • A daily choices sustainability interactive that reveals how everyday decisions add up.
  • And the “Snowflake Effect” touchscreen, illustrating how collective action (many small choices working together) can help address climate change

Together, these interactives transform the exhibit into an immersive, hands-on journey through winter’s past, present, and possible futures. Visitors will learn how Lake Placid is adapting through innovation, while being invited to reflect on their own role in shaping what comes next. 

Snow on Demand arrives at a pivotal moment. New York State is preparing to roll out mandatory K–12 climate change education, phasing it in from 2027 to 2029, focusing on causes, impacts, and solutions. Designed to build critical thinking skills and global awareness, this new statewide focus makes Snow on Demand a timely resource for families, educators, and students alike. Through immersive interactives and real-world connections to winter sports, the exhibit offers an engaging way to explore climate science—just as it becomes an essential part of learning across New York classrooms. 

❄️ Snow on Demand now open! (Permanent exhibit) 

❄️ At the Lake Placid Olympic Museum
      2634 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY, 12946 

❄️ The Museum is open daily from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 

Curator’s Corner written by Julia Herman