The little mountain village of Lake Placid is known the world over as a place where miracles happen. The 1980 Winter Olympics – held February 13 through 24 – was the second time Lake Placid hosted the Games, and the brilliance of those 12 days still reverberates powerfully through our Olympic Legacy venues and the mountains that surround them.

One evening during those twelve days, the U.S. men’s hockey team stunned the world by defeating the Soviet powerhouse and forever changed what it takes to be a champion. Dubbed the Miracle on Ice, that most iconic moment in sports was not the only such miracle at those Games. With many of the U.S. hockey players looking on, speed skater Eric Heiden raced to five gold medals, setting a Winter Olympic record that still stands today and further cementing the legacy of those ’80 Games.

Throughout this winter season 45 years later, we will celebrate these extraordinary athletes and all the athletes who participated, the Games’ organizers, the venues where it all took place, and our entire Olympic Region, including the countless residents, businesses, and volunteers who made it all possible.

In keeping with the official song of the 1980 Games, the theme of our celebration will be “Give It All You Got,” famous words that stand as an inspiring tribute to the Olympic spirit and the lasting legacy of these Games here in Lake Placid. This winter long series of commemorative events will unite our communities, engage visitors, and showcase not only past achievements but also our present and our future. In the present we enter a new era with renewed venues and new events and activities. And in the future all seems possible thanks to this enduring legacy of sport and achievement.

Indeed, throughout this season our events, activities, and their impact on our region will be on full display for all to appreciate. In addition to the many national and international winter sport competitions scheduled throughout the season, these celebratory events are organized in honor of that legacy:

Pop-Up Exhibit at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum: Entitled, “Remembering 1980,” the exhibit commemorates the 45th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, which officially debuted on February 1, 2025. The exhibit offers visitors an immersive journey through one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history with displays featuring personal stories, cherished memories, and captivating oral histories, bringing the spirit of the Games to life.

Lighting of the Olympic Center (February 20-24, 2025): The Olympic Center will be illuminated in gold to honor Eric Heiden’s remarkable five gold medals and red, white, and blue in celebration of the “Miracle on Ice” hockey victory amongst other achievements made by Team USA at the 1980 Games.

Community Skating on the Oval (February 13-24, 2025): A perfect way for locals and visitors to step into Olympic history by skating on the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval, with special 45th-anniversary events and free tickets for registered local students and their families. Come skate while listening to the official song of the 1980s Games and other Olympic-themed music.

Hockey Week Across America (February 17-23, 2025): Lake Placid will participate in USA Hockey’s national celebration with themed events, including USA Day, Volunteer Appreciation Day, and Hockey Jersey Day with a 1980 twist (wear your vintage 1980 jersey or any Team USA hockey jersey).

Behind the Scenes at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum (Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.): Learn more about our archives and collections by exploring objects not currently on display. Chat with a Museum Educator and examine artifacts from the 1980 Games. The special theme in February will be “A Spectator Starter Pack” with 1980 Winter Olympic artifacts from the archives.

Touch-a-Torch (Fridays & Saturdays, 2:00-3:30 p.m.): In celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games, visitors have the unique opportunity to hold the 1980 torch and learn about the torch relay.

The 1980 Games torch held by a smiling visitor to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum.
The 1980 Winter Olympic Games torch held by a visitor to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum.

Gallery Talk (Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. in February): Journey through time to revisit the world, the nation, and the village of Lake Placid as they were during the 1980 Games. Entitled ‘Remembering 1980’, celebrate and continue the legacy of our role in the Olympic Winter Games through inspiration and engagement.

Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton in Lake Placid (February 22, 2025, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Olympic Oval): Participate in a special commemorative skate honoring those impacted by cancer, Sk8 to Elimin8, featuring Scott Hamilton, who was the U.S. flagbearer of the 1980 Games.

Golden $5 Ticket Day (February 23, 2025): The Lake Placid Olympic Museum will offer $5 admission in honor of Eric Heiden’s legendary achievement, providing an affordable way to explore Olympic history.

Eric Heiden in a yellow speedskating uniform on the Lake Placid track during the 1980 Olympics.
Eric Heiden skating in the 1980 Olympics on the speed skating oval in Lake Placid.

Flag Mural: Visit the upper finish deck at Mt Van Hoevenberg’s sliding track to see the 10’x15′ artwork uniting 330 unique drawings into one collective image of the U.S. flag, each representing a celebration of the Olympic legacy.

1980 Roadshow: A Night at the Museum: On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the Lake Placid Olympic Museum will host  an evening dedicated to sharing stories and artifacts from the Games. Attendees are encouraged to bring memorabilia and personal recollections to contribute to the event’s Community Show-and-Tell, where participants can display and discuss their cherished Olympic keepsakes. The night will also feature Storytelling & Shared Memories, allowing guests to hear firsthand accounts from those who experienced the Games and an exclusive look at the museum’s new “Remembering 1980” pop-up exhibit. Those interested in sharing an artifact or a three-minute story should arrive early to secure a time slot. Artifact and Exhibit Preview 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Storytelling 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. These events will be held in the Empire Room at the Olympic Center and are free and open to all ages. For more information, visit the museum website or contact museum director Courtney Bastian at [email protected].

‘Best Ever’ Bobsled Art Contest (March 6-16, 2025): Art enthusiasts can participate in this exciting contest at Mt Van Hoevenberg, where young visitors create and vote on bobsled-themed art inspired by the World Championships—posters highlighting different decades, including the one from the Championship that sent athletes to the 1980 Games.

Soft Opening Art in Sport Exhibit (March 7, 2025): An exclusive event showcasing Olympic art by LeRoy Neiman and others, focusing on the intersection of art and sport. Three special original pieces famously highlighting the 1980 Games entitled: “Winter Olympics, Lake Placid,” “Lake Placid ‘80 Skiing,” and “Lake Placid ‘80 Skating.”

Painting by LeRoy Neiman, "Neiman's Lake Placid Winter Olympics, 1980" featuring Eric Heiden skating in front of the U.S. Hockey Team all on a green background.
Painting by LeRoy Neiman, titled “Lake Placid Winter Olympics, 1980,” that is among those to be featured in the soft opening.”

North Country Art in Sport Awards Ceremony (March 8, 2025, 12:30 p.m.): A special ceremony honoring student artists from Clinton, Essex, and Franklin counties, celebrating the spirit of Olympism through artistic expression.

Together, the above events and the many winter sport competitions we will host throughout the season will serve to celebrate this 45th Anniversary of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid and to commemorate their enduring legacy. The famous and widely celebrated past achievements of Olympic organizers and the remarkable athletes of those Games continue to inspire us today in the present while also igniting the many future possibilities for both the Lake Placid region and for the many future Olympians training here at these historic venues.

Local community members, visitors, athletes, and all those interested are invited to join in the celebratory events. For more information, tickets, and more, visit these sites:
www.lakeplacidolympiccenter.com
www.lakeplacidolympicmuseum.org