2024 Solar Eclipse in Lake Placid
The Olympic Center and Skating Oval provide the ultimate venue to view the total solar eclipse.
James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, NY.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The 2024 Eclipse is a much-anticipated event in North America. On April 8, 2024, the total solar eclipse, known as the "Great North American Eclipse," will trace a narrow path of totality across 13 U.S. states, cutting right through the Adirondacks.
If you’re a solar eclipse enthusiast, the Adirondack Park is one of the best places to enjoy this celestial event; the path of totality will cross over a large portion of the region.
After 2024, the next total solar eclipse will not pass over the United States until 2044, and the Adirondack Park will not be in the path of totality again until 2099.
The Path of Totality in the Adirondacks.
Lake Placid, along with Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake and Schroon Lake, is one of the “Path of Totality” villages in the Adirondacks. During a solar eclipse, when the Moon completely covers the Sun, it creates a shadow on the earth's surface, known as the umbra.
This rare and awe-inspiring phenomenon happens when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align so that the Moon passes directly between them in its orbit. As the Moon continues its trajectory, the shadow moves across the earth, creating the Path of Totality, and locations on the path are submerged in darkness.
Experiencing the eclipse in Lake Placid.
The Olympic Center will be open from 10 am to 5 pm. Visitors can watch a live feed of the 2024 Solar Eclipse as it passes over the United States on the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena jumbotron and dine in our Roamers Café overlooking the Oval and festivities.
The James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval gates will open at 1 pm for the public to set up before the eclipse begins at 2:13 pm in Lake Placid. The Oval offers an open south-by-southwest facing view of the Adirondack High Peaks, the iconic Olympic Ski Jumps and room for many spectators to gather and watch the entirety of the solar eclipse from start until its finish at 3:25 pm.
Additional viewing from Roamer’s Patio.
Roamers Café and Bar will remain open throughout the day, serving food and drinks with a picturesque view of the Oval and the exciting events taking place there. The patio of the café also provides a limited view of the eclipse, which can be observed while enjoying the scenic beauty of the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval.
However, it is important to note that due to the limited capacity of the patio and the position of the sun during totality, Roamers’ patio may not be the ideal spot for everyone to watch the eclipse.
Backup plan: The 1980 Rink
In the event of inclement weather, the 1980 Rink will begin playing a live stream of the Total Solar Eclipse from the nearest clear sky location to Lake Placid, NY, as well as on the televisions in Roamers Café and Bar from 2 pm until 5 pm. Admission is free.
During this time, live entertainment will be moved to Roamers Café and Bar, and dining will be provided from the Olympic Center concession stands and the supplemental food trucks available in Miracle Plaza.
Places to explore in and around Lake Placid.
