It’s going to be big, and it’s going to be great. The best part is you can spectate and recreate! Whiteface is not only the host of the alpine ski competitions of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games but also open to the public for skiing and riding.

With the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies, skiers and riders at Whiteface are used to dreaming big and going big. During the FISU Games, guests will see top collegiate athletes from around the world in exciting events like Super-G, Slalom and Giant Slalom, Alpine Combined, and Mixed Team Parallel and be able to ski and ride all but a few trails reserved for the competition.

“People love us for the diversity of our terrain with everything from beginner to expert. We’re especially excited about the FISU Games because it offers a platform to provide guests of all ages with a world-class international sport experience alongside the fun of skiing and riding,” states Lauren Garfield, Sales & Marketing Director. “Of course, there are some temporary changes to parking, trails, and lodges, to be expected during the Games. Still, the best news is every Whiteface visitor will get access to the Games while still enjoying nearly every aspect of a great winter day on the biggest mountain in the East.”

Spectate World Class Competition

Starting January 13 with Women’s and Men’s Super-G racing and ending January 21 with Men’s Slalom, there are daily competitions to spectate. Events include:

Super G – A mix of speed and technical abilities, with one run determining the winner. The course is faster than the Giant Slalom, with wider turns, a higher vertical drop, and fewer gates than other Slalom events.

Alpine Combined – A combination of one run in the Super-G and one in the Slalom, with the winner determined by the fastest combined time of both races.

Slalom – The shortest and most technical of the Alpine races with the tightest turns of all the events. The winner is the racer with the fastest combined time of two runs.

Giant Slalom – Longer and wider than the Slalom, with a greater vertical drop, fewer turns, and more distance between the gates. The winner is the racer with the fastest combined time of two runs.

Mixed Team Parallel – Two men and two women per team compete head-to-head against other teams on the Slalom course, with the winner being the team with the overall fastest combined time.

Full Schedule of alpine events at Whiteface

Tickets are available in advance at www.lakeplacid2023.com.

Recreate With International Celebration

During the FISU Games lifts are open daily to the public 8:30 am-4:00 pm. Upper and Lower Parkway, Upper and Lower Thruway, Parkway Exit, and Draper’s Drop will be used for training and competition only. All other available trails will be open to the public for skiing and riding.

Enjoy Deck Parties, Giveaways, Medal Ceremonies, and More

The weekend days of January 14, 15, and 21, Whiteface will host a Deck Party outside the Cloudspin Bar and Grill at the Base Lodge from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. There, guests will enjoy a live DJ, great food, drink specials and games. Deck Party goers will also discover loads of free giveaways each day. Look for cool stuff from Burton, Gore Mountain, Lake Placid 2023, and more.

What to Know Before You Go

Due to the high-profile nature of the FISU Games, temporary changes to capacity, parking, trails, lifts, lodges, and activities can be expected during these events. There will also be a security check point so please provide yourself additional time. Check the website for updates.

Find out more and get updates about the FISU Games at Whiteface.

Get the daily Whiteface Snow Report here.

About the FISU Games

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) serves as the driver in expanding the role and reach of university sport around the world, and it has been since its founding in 1949. As the international governing body for the World University Games, this is their time to shine, too.

These Games are a big deal across the European continent where they are so often held every other year. They’re only less popular in the U.S because it’s so rare we host them. In fact, the last time the FISU Winter Games came to North America was 1972 in Lake Placid.

Make no mistake, hosting these Games is a big deal. The process to become the official host for the 2023 Games began in 2018. The success of our Adirondack North Country hosting bid inspired a whole new phase of economic development and benefits to our region. And the exposure around the world will translate to major ongoing economic benefits for decades to come.

The Games are made possible by a team of Host Partners: ILoveNY is the Presenting Sponsor, and the Official Host Partners are the NYS Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), the Adirondack Sports Council (ADKSC), the Village of Lake Placid, and the US International University Sports Federation (US-IUSF).

A One-of-a-Kind Winter Sport Experience

The Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games, an 11-day competition and educational festival, will feature 1,443 collegiate-athletes, ages 17-25, from more than 595 universities across 44 countries. The competition consists of 12 winter sports contested throughout northern New York, including Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Wilmington, North Creek, Canton and Potsdam.

Fans can follow the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with @LakePlacid2023, @SaveWinterHQ, #lakeplacid2023, #savewinter.