We love watching winter sports, but let’s be real … sometimes it’s freaking cold standing out in the snow as a spectator. Right? I’d argue that you can achieve the best of both worlds — comfort and the thrill of being there in person — when you watch winter sports in the summer or fall.

There are plenty of opportunities. Everything from Hockey, Speed Skating and Figure Skating competitions to Nordic Combined, XC Skiing, Ski Jumping and Freestyle Jumping. Obviously, the skating sports are held at indoor ice arenas, which is pretty easy to do and see in lots of cities. But for the ski jump events, Lake Placid is rather unique. One of the only facilities of its kind in the U.S., the two big jumps here are covered in ceramic porcelain tiles and wet down with water to imitate the feel and effect of snow for the athletes. It’s incredibly high tech, with the improvements recently completed in 2022. There’s also a water ramp for athletes training for freestyle jumping … and they land in a swimming pool!

The best thing to do is keep an eye on the Olympic Legacy Sites weekly calendar and events calendar.

The weekly calendar is posted each week and lists athlete training sessions, which aren’t on the main events calendar. Looking for athletes training for the ski jump and freestyle (pool). Watching athletes practice can be great fun. You can also get a tour with an athlete ambassador.

Also check the events calendar for competitions throughout the year. You can see national and international competitions in June - October and avoid frigid temperatures. We’ve watched speed skating in August, cross country skiing in September and Ski Jumping in October. In early fall, look for Jumpapalooza and the Flaming Leaves Festival, which combine sporting events with live music, beer, food trucks and fireworks. Plus, you get the glory of fall foliage as the backdrop.