World Class Facilities Selected by the International Skating Union as the Main Event
The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) announces that the International Skating Union (ISU) has selected the Olympic Center in Lake Placid as the Main Event Partner for the 2023 World Ice Skating Day event to be held Sunday, Dec. 3.
The factors that made Lake Placid the ISU’s top choice as the main partner for this worldwide celebration of ice skating are the newly modernized Olympic Center, its multiple Olympic indoor arenas as well as its historic outdoor James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval, and the many legends who have performed and trained on these ice surfaces, including Sonja Henie, Eric Heiden, Dick Button, Gustave Lussi, Oleg Protopopov, Apolo Anton Ohno, Shani Davis, Scott Hamilton, and so many more. After last year’s first-ever World Ice Skating Day and with members spanning 78 countries across five continents, the ISU is eager to spread the joy of ice skating by placing Lake Placid’s remarkable legacy center stage in the global festivities.
“We are delighted to take the lead in gathering the world together for these global festivities,” says Olympic Authority President & CEO Ashley Walden. “December 3rd will be a day dedicated to celebrating ice skating in its many forms and associated sports, each of which have been part of our community for more than 100 years. Today they are all integral to our Olympic Village, and I encourage everyone to join us to show the world our passion for winter and being on the ice.”
A full slate of activities will be offered throughout the day. Olympic Center General Manager Chadd Cassidy says, “Our goal is to provide something for everyone – professionals, coaches, amateurs, and beginners of all ages and all skating sports – to come together in a unifying series of events to learn new skills, practice, share passions, enjoy their sports, and get new people of all ages involved.”
In addition to hockey games and activities throughout the day inside the three Olympic Center arenas, Olympic Center staff are organizing a full day of celebratory activities and events featuring all types of skating. Activities and events will be offered through the early afternoon on the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval followed by a series of afternoon skating shows and exhibitions inside the Olympic Center.
Admission to recreate and spectate at these activities is free of charge. Skate rentals are available for $10 for all ages at all the day’s activities.
| Times | Location | Event or Activity Description |
| 9:00 am to 9:30 am | Oval | Learn to Skate Session 1 and Open Skating |
| 9:30 am to 10:00 am | Oval | Practice Session 1 and Open Skating |
| 10:00 am to 10:30 am | Oval | Speed skating demo by the Speed Skating Club of Lake Placid and Henry’s Kids |
| 10:30 am to 11:00 am | Oval | Speed Skating Relay Races |
| 11:00 am to 11:30 am | Oval | Ice Resurfacing |
| 11:30 am to Noon | Oval | Learn to Skate Session 2 and Open Skating |
| 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm | Oval | Practice Session 2 and Open Skating |
| 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm | Oval | Parade of Nations by the Skating Club of Lake Placid |
| 1:30pm to 2:15 pm | Empire Room | Meet and greet with Skyliners Synchronized Skating Team, Ice Dance champions Oona and Gage Brown, and Olympic silver medalist in figure skating Paul Wylie. |
| 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm | 1932 Jack Shea Arena | Athletes prepare for performances and warm up |
| 3:15 pm to 3:25 pm | 1932 Jack Shea Arena | Olympian Paul Wylie welcome message and introduction of dignitaries |
| 3:25 pm to 3:30 pm | 1932 Jack Shea Arena | Local youth figure skating exhibition |
| 3:30 pm to 3:35 pm | 1932 Jack Shea Arena | Oona and Gage Brown ice dance exhibition |
| 3:35 pm to 3:40 pm | 1932 Jack Shea Arena | The Skyliners synchronized skating team exhibition |
| 3:40 pm to 3:50 pm | 1932 Jack Shea Arena | Flash Mob |
| 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | 1932 Jack Shea Arena | Disco Festival and Public Skate |
Food trucks and music will add to the day’s festivities, and the meet and greet event is a special chance to meet and talk with true legends of the skating sports. The entire list of events is open to everyone.
“Our goal with the World Ice Skating Day is to encourage many countries all over the world to participate with one venue being the center of the World Ice Skating Day,” says ISU President Mr. Jae Youl Kim. “Lake Placid’s history with winter sports and ice skating, makes it an ideal setting.”
Additional information about the day’s events and venues is available here on the Olympic Center’s site as well as here on the ISU website.