Could 2042 Be Lake Placid's Third Olympic Games?

Could the Winter Games Return to New York?

It seems like a bit of a pipe dream, but New York Governor Kathy Hochul believes they can, and says New York is taking real steps toward making that happen.

During a visit to Lake Placid on Monday, Hochul highlighted the Adirondack village's Olympic legacy while reaffirming the state's interest in pursuing the 2042 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Lake Placid and New York City as joint hosts.

On paper, it seems possible, but would having two separate sites 100's of miles apart be a logistical nightmare? Maybe.

But the proposed plan would follow the successful two-region model used for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, with Lake Placid hosting mountain and sliding events and New York City staging many of the indoor competitions.

Photo: Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

"We Can Do It Again"

"This area can host the Olympics here in the North Country. We've done it before; we want to do it again," Hochul said during her visit.

The Governor noted that New York has invested more than $750 million over the past decade modernizing Lake Placid's Olympic venues, and recently created an exploratory committee to study everything from transportation and athlete housing to overall costs before any formal bid is considered.

"A lot of governors have spoken about it since 1980," Hochul said. "We're the ones who are actually going to do something about it."

Major Plans in Lake Placid

Monday's visit also showcased Lake Placid's growing list of world-class events. The Olympic Regional Development Authority announced a packed 2026-27 schedule featuring World Cup skiing, ski jumping, para-sport competitions, mountain biking, and other international events, continuing to cement the region's reputation as a premier winter sports destination.

Lake Placid remains the only U.S. community to host the Winter Olympics twice. They did it first in 1932, then again in 1980, when the legendary "Miracle on Ice" captivated the world.

While a 2042 bid is still years away, New York leaders believe the Olympic flame could one day return to the Adirondacks.

Images from the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, NY

Here are some images from the week of February 13th-24th, 1980 in Lake Placid New York, home of the XIII Olympic Winter Games.

Gallery Credit: Brian Cody TSM

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Gallery Credit: Brian Cody TSM Albany

Source: Following Trip to Lake Placid, Governor Say NY Is Ready to Welcome the World Again