This is the top of the 'Russian Hill' at the Lake Placid ski complex. The trails were designed for the '80 Olympics and the Americans wanted to show how tough they were.... the Europeans were not impressed when they arrived! The name suggests a favourite spot on the course for the Russians but in fact the Russians made a formal protest that the whole course had too much climbing - a protest that was duely noted and rejected. The Americans then decided to name the biggest climb after the Russians because the two nations were such great friends at the time ;-) Of course the Russians ended up taking (almost) all the medals anyway so apparently they didn't find it too hard afterall.
The trails are mostly one way which has many advantages. First off, when you're climbing a wickedly steep hill you don't have to keep looking up to see if someone is barrelling down on you. Second, the trails get worked in specific to the direction of travel - nice "V's" going up and smooth trail on the descents. I'm told they even designed the downhills to be slightly gentler then the ups so they won't get washed out by people snowplowing down them The descents may be "gentle" but it's all relative. I found them pretty fast (and fun). The climbs can be brutishly steep but thats part of the equation. In some locations, if you are able to use your speed off a descent correctly, you can roll almost right up the next climb.
The plaque in the photo is dedicated to a former volunteer who used to work at this location marshalling ski races. I thought it was a nice touch although I first thought - as I approached it - that it could just have easily been a spot where someone expired. The 'Russian Hill' is wicked steep and long... and just climbs hard up and away from you. I chose to stop and take a picture (not cause I needed to ;-) (no really!)
P.S. Check out the colour of the sky! I didn't make that up either. Today it is raining and hot :(
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On a not-so private road to the woods
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