Bobsled & Skeleton North American Cup | Lake Placid | March 26-27, 2026
- Mt. Van Hoevenberg Mt. Van Hoevenberg United States (map)
Future Speed: Bobsled & Skeleton North American Cup Returns to Lake Placid
Team USA.
The Bobsled & Skeleton North American Cup returns to the Adirondacks this March as rising international athletes take on the historic track at Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid. The two-day competition, part of the international North American Cup development series, showcases elite bobsleigh and skeleton as competitors from around the globe race down one of North America's most iconic sliding tracks.
Set for Thursday, March 26, and Friday, March 27, 2026, the event gives spectators a front-row seat to the next generation of Olympic hopefuls. With speeds approaching highway levels and curves that demand razor-sharp precision, this competition delivers exactly the kind of heart-pounding winter sports drama that has made Lake Placid a legendary destination for sliding sports.
After all, few places on earth understand winter competition quite like Lake Placid.
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Bobsleigh and skeleton racing in Lake Placid.
Few venues embody the history of winter sports like the sliding track at Mt Van Hoevenberg, located just outside Lake Placid in the heart of the Adirondacks. Built for the 1932 Winter Olympics and modernized repeatedly since, the track continues to serve as one of North America’s premier venues for bobsled, skeleton, and luge.
The famous bobsled track in Lake Placid, one of the most challenging in the world.
The North American Cup (NAC) functions as an international development circuit. Think of it as the proving ground where promising athletes hone their skills before advancing to World Cup competition and, ultimately, the Olympic stage.
In other words, today’s NAC competitor could easily become tomorrow’s Olympic medalist.
Spectators will witness two disciplines of sliding sport:
Bobsleigh — Teams push their sleds at full sprint before jumping in and navigating a twisting ice chute at speeds exceeding 70 mph.
Skeleton — Individual athletes launch themselves headfirst down the track on a small sled, steering with subtle shifts of body weight while racing the clock.
Both demand nerves of steel—and exceptional athleticism.
What visitors can expect at the North American Cup.
Watching a sliding sports competition live is an entirely different experience from seeing it on television.
At Mt Van Hoevenberg, fans can stand trackside and hear the sleds thunder past in a blur of ice spray and steel runners. The sound alone—like a jet slicing through a frozen canyon—gets the adrenaline flowing.
Athletes from multiple nations compete in timed runs, with cumulative results determining the winners. Spectators can watch the powerful start pushes, then follow the race along designated viewing areas around the track.
Expect:
Lightning-fast races
International athletes and teams
Stunning Adirondack mountain scenery
An authentic Olympic venue experience
For visitors traveling to the Adirondacks in late March, the event offers a chance to combine world-class sport with a weekend exploring nearby destinations like Lake Placid, Keene Valley, or the High Peaks region.
Watch bobsled racing on Lake Placid’s legendary track.
To understand the sheer speed and precision of bobsled racing at Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, it helps to see the sport in action. The video below captures the intensity of sleds flying through the curves of the Adirondacks’ iconic Olympic sliding track.
Bobsled teams race down the Olympic sliding track at Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, one of the fastest and most historic winter sports venues in the Adirondacks.
Events like the North American Cup at Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid give Adirondack visitors a chance to witness world-class bobsled and skeleton racing on the same legendary track used by Olympic athletes.
Why Mt Van Hoevenberg is one of the Adirondacks’ premier winter sports venues.
Within the Adirondacks, few places capture the spirit of winter competition quite like Mt Van Hoevenberg.
The venue is part of the broader Olympic Regional Development Authority system of Olympic facilities that continue to host international competitions year after year.
Visitors arriving for the North American Cup will find far more than just a race.
The lodge at Mt. Van Hoevenberg outside of Lake Placid. Photo courtesy ORDA.
The complex features:
Cross-country ski trails
Biathlon ranges
A scenic mountain setting
Modern spectator facilities
Combined with Lake Placid’s famously walkable village and vibrant restaurant scene, the event makes for an easy winter sports getaway.
Event schedule and key details.
Bobsled & Skeleton North American Cup
📍 Mt Van Hoevenberg – Lake Placid, Adirondacks
Thursday, March 26, 2026
NAC 2-Man Bobsled & Mono Bobsled — 2 pm
Friday, March 27, 2026
Men’s & Women’s Skeleton — 9 am
NAC 4-Man Bobsled & 2-Woman Bobsled — 2 pm
Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to explore the venue and secure the best viewing areas.
For the latest updates, visitors should check the official Mt Van Hoevenberg website before attending.
In skeleton racking, individual athletes launch themselves headfirst down the Mt. Van Hoevenberg track on a small sled, steering with subtle shifts of body weight while racing the clock.
Who should attend this Adirondack winter sports event.
This event is ideal for:
Winter sports enthusiasts
Families visiting Lake Placid
Travelers exploring the Adirondacks
Fans of Olympic history
Anyone who enjoys fast-paced live sporting events
Even for those unfamiliar with bobsleigh or skeleton, the thrill of watching these athletes race down the track tends to convert spectators instantly.
It’s the kind of experience that reminds visitors why Lake Placid remains one of North America’s great winter sports destinations.
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FAQ: Bobsled & Skeleton North American Cup
Where is the North American Cup held in the Adirondacks?
The competition takes place at Mt Van Hoevenberg, the Olympic sliding track located just outside Lake Placid, New York.
When is the 2026 North American Cup in Lake Placid?
The event runs March 26–27, 2026.
What sports are featured at the event?
The competition includes bobsled events (2-man, 4-man, and women’s) and skeleton races for men and women.
Can spectators attend the races?
Yes. Visitors are welcome to watch from designated viewing areas around the sliding track.
Is Mt Van Hoevenberg an Olympic venue?
Yes. The track hosted sliding events during the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics and continues to host international competitions.
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