My spouse and I visited the
Mackenzie-Intervale Ski Jumping Complex on a on a Saturday morning in early
July 2019. The Ski Jumping Complex is located about 2 miles from the village of
Lake Placid. The present complex was built for the 1980 Winter Olympics;
however, the first 35-meter (almost 115 feet) ski jump was built on the site in
1920 and then expanded in subsequent years, including enlarging the tower to 75
meters (over 246 feet) for the 1932 Winter Olympics. When we visited in the
summer of 2019, no admission was charged because the elevators to the top of
the ski jumps were not operational (due to construction); however, entry to the
complex is normally included with the Olympic Passport. Usually in the
summertime (although not when we visited), guests can take a chairlift ride to
reach the base of the 120-meter jump (over 393 feet), where they then transfer
to a glass elevator that whisks them 26 stories to the top of the jump so that
they can enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Beause neither
the chairlift nor the elevators were working, we instead spent our time at the
adjacent aerial training center, where we watched freestyle skiers traverse
down a 90-meter (over 295 feet) manmade slope to land in a 750,000 gallon
swimming pool. (Because future Olympic contenders train at the complex
year-round, the aerial waterpark allows them to continue preparing even when
there is no snow.) There is plenty of parking onsite, as well as a stylish new base
lodge that houses a souvenir shop, restrooms, and event space. We enjoyed our
visit to the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex; although we could not ascend in the
elevator to appreciate the views, we liked watching the young athletes do their
twists and somersaults into the pool.
