2025 Skate America location/dates

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Can’t imagine they will go for lake Placid in November, already snow season up there and it’s a drive from the nearest airport.

They have done that before.

 

[MacMadame]

Is there a past Skate America host location harder to get to than Lake Placid?

I heard Reading is hard to get to but I can't imagine it's as hard as LP.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I heard Reading is hard to get to but I can't imagine it's as hard as LP.

It was a 90 minute drive to Reading from Philly, and Philly has a lot of nonstop flights to it, so that cuts down on the travel time.

 

[kwanfan1818]

2009-10: FRA, RUS, CHN, JPN, USA, CAN
2010-11: JPN, CAN, CHN, USA, RUS, FRA
2011-12: USA, CAN, CHN, JPN, FRA, RUS
2012-13: USA, CAN, CHN, RUS, FRA, JPN
2013-14: USA, CAN, CHN, JPN, FRA, RUS
2014-15: USA, CAN, CHN, RUS, FRA, JPN
2015-16: USA, CAN, CHN, FRA, RUS, JPN
2016-17: USA, CAN, RUS, FRA, CHN, JPN
2017-18: RUS, CAN, CHN, JPN, FRA, USA
2018-19: USA, CAN, FIN, JPN, RUS, FRA
2019-20: USA, CAN, FRA, CHN, RUS, JPN
2020-21: USA, CAN (cancelled), CHN, FRA (cancelled), RUS, JPN
2021-22: USA, CAN, ITA (replaced CHN), JPN, FRA, RUS
2022-23: USA, CAN, FRA, GBR (replaced CHN), JPN, FIN (replaced RUS)
2023-24: USA, CAN, FRA, CHN, FIN, JPN
2024-25: USA, CAN, FRA, JPN, FIN, CHN

2025-26: FRA, CHN, CAN, JPN, USA, FIN

 

[SkateSand]

I've made the drive from Albany to Lake Placid. There was snow on the ground, but the weather was clear. I would not want to do it while it was snowing. I've also flown from Albany to Lake Placid several times on the small planes (not Cape Air - bigger planes than that), but they discontinued the service. Anyway, 50% of the time the flights were delayed a day or canceled due to weather. My favorite way was the Amtrak from Albany that didn't stop in Lake Placid, but they shuttled you to Lake Placid from one of the stops. The train ride was very comfortable and the scenery was gorgeous. Alas, they no longer offer the shuttle.

 

[apgold]

I've made the drive from Albany to Lake Placid. There was snow on the ground, but the weather was clear. I would not want to do it while it was snowing. I've also flown from Albany to Lake Placid several times on the small planes (not Cape Air - bigger planes than that), but they discontinued the service. Anyway, 50% of the time the flights were delayed a day or canceled due to weather. My favorite way was the Amtrak from Albany that didn't stop in Lake Placid, but they shuttled you to Lake Placid from one of the stops. The train ride was very comfortable and the scenery was gorgeous. Alas, they no longer offer the shuttle.

It's a shame they don't offer the shuttle. I used it in 2017, I remember it being about a 45 minute drive to LP from Westport station. I suppose if you want to take the train up to Westport, you can order a taxi or Uber to take you to LP but I've looked on my app and it's at least $50-60 each way. Unless you charter a private bus, I don't see how else to get there via Amtrak.

Also, I did use Uber to get around town back in 2017 but got the same drivers more than once - I think there were only a handful of drivers in town. I'm not sure if they don't have them anymore, as someone said upthread. I never used the trolley since I was never sure when it would stick to the schedule.

 

[Vagabond]

Lake Placid: Closer Than You Think

It's farther away than I thought.

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

Originally I was hoping it would be Lake Placid as that is very driveable from Toronto (assuming I felt comfortable and okay with crossing the border). I drove to Lake Placid in September 2022 for the US Classic and to see Ilia land the first ever Quad Axel. It was a beautiful drive, very different than drives I’ve done before and not as treacherous as I had read and was worried about. But this was September with no snow and sunny clear weather. I stayed by fluke in the official hotel which was beautiful and saw skaters and coaches all day and night anywhere and everywhere I went in the hotel and in town. Beautiful views and scenery despite a ton of construction.

I would have been a bit nervous doing the drive in mid-October for the original SA dates until the forecast closer to showed it to be okay. But now with SA in November, it seems pretty inevitable for it to be snowy and a treacherous drive I don’t think I could stomach. I loved Lake Placid but it should really be used for events earlier in the Fall when driving is more manageable than closer to Winter given the very limited accessibility.

 

[ice coverage]

It's a shame they don't offer the shuttle. I used it in 2017, I remember it being about a 45 minute drive to LP from Westport station. ...

Also, I did use Uber to get around town back in 2017 but got the same drivers more than once - I think there were only a handful of drivers in town. I'm not sure if they don't have them anymore, as someone said upthread. I never used the trolley since I was never sure when it would stick to the schedule.

I don't want to get too carried away with discussing Lake Placid when we don't have an official location yet, but will add ...

FWIW, in my limited experience in 2022-2024, the free trolley has operated on schedule. I never have had a problem with the trolley not showing up. I have depended on it only on my first day in LP for the short ride with luggage from the shopping center on Hadjis Way, where the bus from Albany arrives, to the vicinity of hotels near Olympic Center; and then for the reverse trolley route on my last day in LP when I am departing for Albany.

Good to know that you successfully ordered Ubers in 2017. I attended Skate America then, but never was wishing for Lyft/Uber on that trip (and never rode the trolley either) because the now-discontinued Amtrak shuttle provided service to each hotel as necessary.
IIRC, the Amtrak shuttle had ended before my next trip in 2019, but the town at that point still was allowing the bus from/to Albany to stop at Olympic Center, so I never was wishing for Lyft/Uber and never needed the trolley.

FWIW, on subsequent trips to LP starting in 2022, I did try using Lyft/Uber apps and never found any availability.
On my first and last days, I started needing to use the trolley from/to Hadjis Way, because the town no longer allowed the Albany bus to stop at Olympic Center after upgrading had begun in preparation for 2023 University Games. (The change seems to be permanent. Long after 2023 Games, the Albany bus has not been allowed to stop at Olympic Center, AFAIK.)

 

[sus2850]

Oh, really? I don’t like this, I thought it was supposed to go USA, China, Canada…. For this coming season What happened to that schedule?

I had heard that France had trouble finding a GP host and that Angers agreed to do it but that their arena was booked for the original dates. So the French fed asked whether it would be possible to switch with another GP. And apperently the US agreed to do that switch.

 

[Carolla5501]

Why do folks think SKAM will be in Lake Placid?

Because Lake Placid traditionally has shown, that after US figure skating realizes no one else is willing to pay their outrageous guarantees and give them all the free stuff to come do their event there that Lake Placid will at least let them show up.

 

[Lizziebeth]

I have been to Lake Placid and it is a beautiful place, but it is really out of the way. No flights, not much public transportation and the pleasure of driving a mountain road in November when there is a strong risk of snow.

The officials and judges should complain!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

And apperently the US agreed to do that switch.

But ANL didn’t.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I have a feeling it’s not going to be LP this season but I understand why a lot of people do. I think LP worked for the 80s but not anymore. It could possibly be cheaper to produce it there but I don’t think it’s going to motivate people to travel there Especially if it has to be around the USA Holiday. If they wanna come use the track and field and fill it with ice at Beverly Hills High then I’m all in. Outdoor figure skating in Los Angeles in November is fabulous. Could you imagine between disciplines we go shopping on rodeo.

 

[CassAgain]

I had Mr thvu set vacation time for the original October Skate America dates.

Bon voyage en France?!?

 

[Coco]

I had heard that France had trouble finding a GP host and that Angers agreed to do it but that their arena was booked for the original dates. So the French fed asked whether it would be possible to switch with another GP. And apperently the US agreed to do that switch.

This makes me think it is Lake Placid because what other location would be available both dates?

 

[Karen-W]

This makes me think it is Lake Placid because what other location would be available both dates?

Orleans Arena looks to be pretty wide open in the fall.

 

[tlk]

Orleans Arena looks to be pretty wide open in the fall.

And the hotel rates at the Orleans for the November dates look to actually be lower than the original October dates. Fingers still crossed!

 

[nguyhm]

Allen permanently. And I have no horse in the race, I just think those crowds were amazing.

I live 15 minutes from the arena in Allen so I vote for this

 

[thvu]

Bon voyage en France?!?

Ooooooooo.

 

[PRlady]

Ooooooooo.

Having researched this, bought a ticket and then missed it in 2023 due to war, Angers is a reasonable train ride from Paris (express train from CDG to main train station) and hotel prices quite reasonable.

 

[4rkidz]

Having researched this, bought a ticket and then missed it in 2023 due to war, Angers is a reasonable train ride from Paris (express train from CDG to main train station) and hotel prices quite reasonable.

oh that's a US grand prix I could actually go too LOL

 

[barbk]

Ooooooooo.

Shouldn't that be "ohh la la!"?

 

[Aimless]

Contrary to almost everyone else, Lake Placid is the only competition location that can interest me. Gorgeous easy drive from southern Vermont. Reasonable hotel rates, walkable village, appealing arena. If SA isn’t there, I’ll go to the LP Ice Dance championships at end July.

 

[PRlady]

Contrary to almost everyone else, Lake Placid is the only competition location that can interest me. Gorgeous easy drive from southern Vermont. Reasonable hotel rates, walkable village, appealing arena. If SA isn’t there, I’ll go to the LP Ice Dance championships at end July.

That’s exactly my plan although it’s a much longer drive for us.

 

[nylynnr]

Contrary to almost everyone else, Lake Placid is the only competition location that can interest me. Gorgeous easy drive from southern Vermont. Reasonable hotel rates, walkable village, appealing arena. If SA isn’t there, I’ll go to the LP Ice Dance championships at end July.

I'm with you, but I still haven't heard any reliable info that Lake Placid is the site.

 

[smurfy]

Contrary to almost everyone else, Lake Placid is the only competition location that can interest me. Gorgeous easy drive from southern Vermont. Reasonable hotel rates, walkable village, appealing arena. If SA isn’t there, I’ll go to the LP Ice Dance championships at end July.

Same here. About a 5 hr drive from Connecticut, easy all major interstate highway except for last 30 miles. Reasonable hotels, walking to arena/restaurants and some beautiful scenery.

 

[Aceon6]

Same here. About a 5 hr drive from Connecticut, easy all major interstate highway except for last 30 miles. Reasonable hotels, walking to arena/restaurants and some beautiful scenery.

As a fellow New Englander who also measures distance in units of driving time, I agree, but 5 hours becomes 8 pretty quickly as the weather turns colder. November scares me.

 

[Lizziebeth]

As a fellow New Englander who also measures distance in units of driving time, I agree, but 5 hours becomes 8 pretty quickly as the weather turns colder. November scares me.

Deer moving around, short days and potential of freezing rain. Not fond of driving road trips in November.

 

[Evgeniafan]

As a fellow New Englander who also measures distance in units of driving time, I agree, but 5 hours becomes 8 pretty quickly as the weather turns colder. November scares me.

I feel the same. October would be a maybe. November is a no.