What to Know About Attending Lake Placid’s FISU World University Games

Still planning your winter travel? If you’re a winter sports fan, plan to visit Lake Placid, New York, in January for the FISU World University Games.

For 11 days, Jan. 12–22, hundreds of athletes from all over the world descend upon the tiny village of Lake Placid, much as they did during the two Winter Olympics the town hosted in decades past (and, fun fact — many of the university athletes competing in the Games will go on to the Olympics). The event brings together approximately 600 universities and 50 countries, for 86 medal events across12 sports. Represented sports include hockey, skating, ski jumping, snowboarding, curling and more.

If you’re planning on attending, purchase general admission tickets now for all events open to the public — but do note the events aren’t just being held in Lake Placid. They’ll take place all over the Adirondacks region — meaning this is a great opportunity to explore the area at large.

While the Games take over ski areas and most sporting venues, you’ll still have opportunities to get in a little action of your own with some backcountry snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, thanks to the area’s wealth of family-friendly venues that aren’t appropriate for major sporting events.

Do you expect the crowds to become a little much? If you find yourself wanting to get away from the hubbub of the Games for a bit, you can easily reach many of the other nearby towns and cities close to the Adirondacks with just a one- or two-hour drive, such as Plattsburgh, New York; Burlington, Vermont; and Montreal, Quebec.