ORDA

The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was originally created by the New York State legislature (Article 8, Title 28, NYS Public Authorities Law) to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. State and local governments cooperatively created a long-term solution to protect the public’s investment in the Lake Placid Olympic facilities through the establishment of ORDA.

Today, ORDA operates Whiteface Mountain ski area located in the Town of Wilmington, just 15 minutes outside the Village of Lake Placid; Gore Mountain ski area located in North Creek, New York — 80 miles north of Albany; Belleayre Mountain located in Highmount, NY – 80 miles south of Albany; as well as the Olympic Center; the Olympic Jumping Complex and Olympic Sports Complex – all located in Lake Placid. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes and spectators to the regions it serves. ORDA has seen unparalleled assistance and support of its operation from both Albany and the State of New York.

New York State, the Department of Economic Development and our local elected officials have developed an alliance, allowing ORDA and its surrounding communities, to remain at the forefront of winter and summer sports training, competition, recreation, and tourism by investing in the modernization of these facilities. In turn, this allows us to become a strong partner with local and regional businesses in supporting and building the tourism industry throughout the State.

To find out more about New York and to do business with its many agencies, log on to www.ny.gov.
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Legislative Mandate & Mission

ORDA’s legislative mandate is to:

  1. Institute a comprehensive, coordinated program of activities utilizing the Olympic facilities, Gore Mountain, and Belleayre Mountain, in and around Lake Placid, North Creek, and Highmount, New York, in order to ensure optimum year-round use and enjoyment of these facilities to the economic and social benefit of the regions and to minimize the financial burden on state and local government by maximizing revenue opportunities.
  2. Improve the physical fitness and recreational education of the people of New York and the United States.
  3. Develop, implement and supervise a comprehensive, coordinated program for the management, promotion and scheduling of a wide range of national and international athletic training and competitive opportunities that maximize the utilization of the Olympic facilities.
  4. Develop, construct, operate, manage and maintain facilities for the training and housing of amateur athletes in connection with the United States Olympic Committee’s training center program and ORDA’s conduct of national and international sports events.

Our Mission:

To create economic and social benefit in the Adirondacks and Catskills by operating year-round venues that provide recreational and athletic development opportunities, achieved through a commitment to continuous improvement and emphasis on environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility, and the delivery of world-class programs and experiences to persons of all ages and abilities.