On April 22, 1970, we celebrated the first Earth Day. It was then and continues to be the largest secular day of protest in the world. 54 years ago, people began raising public awareness of the impacts on human health due to industrialization. We continue to celebrate Earth Day in 2024 in the midst of a changing climate. This past winter was the warmest recorded in
Adirondack history. The winter season is treasured in this region, and Lake Placid, in particular, has a strong sports history. Because of this, local communities and visitors alike appreciate the cultural value of protecting such a beautiful season.
A two-time Winter Olympic Host City, Lake Placid is home to a variety of winter recreation. Located in the ancestral and current lands of the Haudenosaunee, people have lived and amused themselves in this region for a very long time. In 1892, the formation of the Adirondack Park set aside this land to protect watersheds and shipping routes around the state.
Soon, however, people began to recognize the incredible recreational opportunities that a “Forever Wild” place like this offers.
The winter sports we know today started in the early 20th century with the Lake Placid Club. Founded by Melville Dewey, the club imported equipment from Europe and began its first winter sports season in 1904. The Sno Birds were among the first modern wintertime recreators, laying a foundation for the arrival of the Winter Olympics nearly three decades later. Initially, winter recreation was an exclusive and elitist pastime. Despite that legacy, growing diversity amongst athletes today strengthens the Winter Olympics.
Now, Lake Placid is known as “the winter sports capital of the world.” While everyone may not be an Olympic athlete, the blending of season and culture encourages people to get outside and find joy in our communities. Winter is long, cold, and full of snow. It is those exact elements that make Lake Placid so special. Outdoor ice skating and playing pickup pond
hockey on the many lakes in the area push us to enjoy some fresh air and meet our neighbors.
Winter carnivals and festivals across the Adirondack region celebrate the winter season with events like live music, parades, and ice structures. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing bring us into the woods, enjoying the Forest Preserve. Even standing at the edge of a frozen lake reflecting the splendor of the setting sun is an easy and accessible way to experience winter’s beauty.
We’ve created so many wonderful ways for our communities and visitors to thrive during the wintertime. Climate change presents a challenge to those activities. The season for ice climbing grows shorter every year. The window for outdoor skating on lakes narrows. Ice palaces crumble, and cross country skis lay unused.
Though our regional culture of winter sports and cold weather recreation is threatened, adapting to the weather is part of our past and present. Whiteface became the first Olympic ski mountain to use artificial snow amidst a snow drought in 1980 and continues to use snowmaking on its trails. Community cross country skiing events that were not able to operate
this year due to lack of snow were utilized in a different way. People were encouraged to get out and walk on the trails for the day, even if conditions were impossible for skiing.
We adapt our sports and winter activities to whatever the winter weather brings. Together, we work to mitigate our impacts on the climate to keep winter around. Olympism includes respect for fundamental ethical principles, such as fairness. Applying the philosophy of Olympism to climate change means that we keep in mind the millions of others we share this
planet with, ensuring that everyone gets the chance to experience a winter as we did. In this way, we can remain active participants in our winter sports culture for this year and the decades to come.
Written by Bridey Ryan