About Olympic Regional Development Authority
The Olympic Regional Development Authority — known locally as ORDA — operates the legacy venues from the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, transforming them into year-round adventure destinations that are unique to Lake Placid. ORDA manages Whiteface Mountain, the Olympic Sports Complex at Mount Van Hoevenberg, the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex, and the Olympic Center in the village. No other destination in the United States offers public access to authentic Olympic facilities like bobsled and luge runs, ski jumps, and biathlon courses.
At Mount Van Hoevenberg, visitors can ride a bobsled down the actual Olympic track with a professional pilot and brakeman — an adrenaline-pumping experience available year-round thanks to a wheeled summer bobsled option. The venue also offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on 50 kilometers of groomed trails in winter, and mountain biking and hiking in summer. The ski jumping complex offers gondola rides to the top of the 120-meter tower for panoramic views of the Adirondacks.
ORDA's significance goes beyond adventure tourism — it is the steward of one of America's most iconic Olympic legacies. The facilities are continuously upgraded while preserving their historic character, and the organization hosts international competitions that keep Lake Placid on the world stage. For visitors, ORDA provides a one-of-a-kind chance to experience Olympic sports firsthand, making it the centerpiece of any Lake Placid trip.
