February 5-8, 2026

The Largest Olympic-style Winter Sporting Event in the Northeast

All ages. All abilities.

Be A Part of Empire State Winter Games

The Empire State Winter Games is a community-driven event, courtesy of a partnership between the Adirondack Sports Council (ADKSC); the towns of North Elba, Wilmington, Tupper Lake, Harrietstown, and Brighton; the villages of Lake Placid, Tupper Lake, Paul Smiths, Wilmington, and Saranac Lake; the counties of Essex and Franklin; Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) and the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA).

Winter Sports for All Ages

This is an exceptional event which brings young athletes from all over New York State to compete in a friendly and positive atmosphere which brings the best of the athlete achievement.

Everyone should make the trip as an athlete or a spectator...The village, the staff and the games are amazing. It's now a tradition for our town to send athletes, we sent 85 this year....

I grew up competing in the ESWG and love that it is thriving! Best memories ever!

An excellent winter sports experience for athletes--where better to participate in winter sports competition than in Lake Placid? These games are a fun experience for all!

I remember being extremely excited to not only compete but get the hat and jacket. This kind of event really helps athletes like myself put in perspective what they’re trying to do. It’s a stepping-stone.

I learned how to compete and keep my composure at an event where there was more than just my competition happening. It’s something I took with me to every one of my Olympic Games.

One of my best memories in competing in these Games was walking into to the Opening Ceremony, held right in the Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid. It was the first time in my career that I was at an event that had more sports involved than just Biathlon.

Being able to compete in those larger events is great practice for moving on in the future.

The Empire State Games and Lake Placid do a great job of making it a town-wide, big event, and feel like that grand championship-type event.