For Immediate ReleaseContact: Carrie GentileRegional Office of Sustainable TourismLake Placid Celebrates 40th Anniversary of the 1980 Winter OlympicsThe Lake Placid Olympic legacy will be front and center during a weeklong celebration beginning February 14Lake Placid, NY – Forty years ago this February, the Adirondack village of Lake Placid hosted the 13th Olympic Winter Games. The heroics of the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team’s improbable win over the Russians, known as the “Miracle on Ice,” and speed skater Eric Heiden’s five gold medals helped make the 1980 Lake Placid Games one for the ages, one with an enduring legacy.The 40th anniversary of the 1980 Winter Games presents the perfect opportunity to celebrate Lake Placid’s rich Olympic legacy - past, present and future. From February 14 - 23, the two-time Olympic village is rolling out the welcome mat and is hosting a full slate of activities that will embody the Olympic spirit - from re-living the opening ceremony and torch lighting, ice skating around the historic Olympic Oval, to skiing with Olympic athletes. There will be opportunities to meet several Olympic medalists including speed skater Dan Jansen (1984,1988,1992,1994), alpine ski racer Andrew Weibrecht (2010, 2014, 2018), luger Mark Grimmette (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010), figure skater Paul Wylie (1992) and many more. The entire village including the Olympic venues will be on full display during this community-wide celebration.The LegacyLake Placid is one of only two cities world-wide to have hosted two Olympic Winter Games, 1932 and 1980. Since then, it has played host to annual World Cup events and other large-scale sporting competitions.The village’s Olympic legacy is unmatched. Lake Placid has sent at least one athlete to every winter Games, and in total, has sent over 100 athletes to compete, since the first modern winter Games in 1924. Other area athletes have also claimed Olympic glory, including Andrew Weibrecht, a two-time Olympic medalist in Super-G; Billy Demong, a two-time Olympic medalist and Olympic champion in Nordic Combined; and Chris Mazdzer, an Olympic silver medalist in men’s singles luge. This is accomplished through Lake Placid’s commitment and support of its Olympic sports development programs. Recently, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo committed nearly $240-million in funding to support the Olympic Regional Development Authority properties. These unprecedented investments in capital projects are improving the infrastructure of Olympic venues to ensure they can continue to attract and support large-scale, global events, while transforming these areas facilities into year-round attractions.The CelebrationThe following highlights just some of the events planned. More activities are being added on a weekly basis. For more information, schedule, and updates, visit https://www.lakeplacid.com/the-40th-anniversary-of-the-1980-winter-olympics. - Torch run with 1980 Olympic Winter Games torchbearers and local athletes, followed by lighting of the 1980 Olympic Cauldron on the grounds of the Opening Ceremonies. State and local officials and past, present and future Olympians will be part of the ceremony. - speaking engagement and meet and greet with speed skater and medalist Dan Jansen- First tracks at Whiteface Mountain with Olympic medalist Andrew Weibrecht - Learn to Luge with Olympic lugers and coaches - Be a Biathlete! Experience the sport of biathlon with Olympic biathletes - Athlete forum on Lake Placid's Olympic Legacy with a Q&A featuring some of Lake Placid's Olympians- Screening of the Disney movie Miracle at Lake Placid’s Palace Movie Theatre- Cross-country or downhill ski with Olympians at Whiteface Mountain and Mount Van Hoevenberg - Book signing by Wayne Coffey, author of The Boys of Winter, an account of the “Miracle on Ice” - 80s Family Fun Party at the Olympic Ski Jumps and other venues - 80s themed trivia night - Learn the sport of curling on Mirror Lake - Vintage wine tasting at Terry Robards Wine & Spirits - Olympic-themed crafts for kidsEnjoy the “fun zone” on Main Street each evening between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. where visitors can enjoy hot chocolate, s’mores, games, music and more. Restaurants, bars and shops will be celebrating too with live music and events. Lake Placid as a winter destinationAlong with these special events, guests can experience Olympic-themed activities by skating on the Olympic Speed Skating Oval or barreling down the Mt. Van Hoevenberg bobsled/luge/skeleton track. Adventurous guests can ride a toboggan down a 30-foot high slide that’s specifically designed to launch riders across Mirror Lake’s icy surface. Situated between two lakes and ringed by Adirondack mountain peaks, Lake Placid beckons travelers to play outside all winter long with pursuits such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, pond hockey, dogsled rides, sledding and ice fishing. In addition, visitors can also ski and ride the greatest vertical in the east at iconic Whiteface Mountain.###

For Immediate ReleaseContact: Carrie Gentile, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourismdirect line: 518-621-3665New Snow Tubing Center Prepares To Open at Titus Mountain Family Ski CenterMalone, NY - Already a popular upstate New York venue for skiing and tubing, Titus Mountain Family Ski Center is raising the bar by replacing its current tubing area with a larger, faster, more convenient and more fun center to accommodate increased demand for tubing. Titus Ski Center in Malone, NYIt is slated to open this Thanksgiving weekend, should the weather cooperate.Visit the newly constructed tubing park and breeze down multiple runs that are now 800 feet long, and steeper for an added adrenaline rush. The runs have been widened as well to accommodate double tubes holding two people at a time. When tubers have reached the bottom, skip the hike back up and step on New York State’s newest 550-foot conveyor magic carpet lift. A new lodge on top of the tubing hill with views of the lanes will be open to the public as a warming hut. Additional rooms can be reserved for birthday parties, corporate events, or any occasion. Season tubing passes are $149 and there are no restrictions or black out dates. “Tubing is gaining in popularity and is both an alternative to skiing, or an additional amenity to the skiing experience at Titus,” said co-owner Bruce Monette. “It’s a fun, affordable way to get people outside and active all winter long.”Not only is the tubing at Titus fun for the whole family, but as the name implies, Titus is big on being beginner and family-friendly. It delivers a kid-friendly experience from the moment the car doors open. In fact, last season, it earned the #1 resort for beginners in North America, the #2 most family-friendly resort and #3 best value resort in North America in Liftopia's 2018/19 Best in Snow awards.Voters consistently applaud its "great grooming" and note there are "always chairs available," with a "perfect slope for beginners" and an "over-the-top family friendly" atmosphere. The "Best Kept Secret" program allows their ski school to create programs centered around skiers' needs, rather than making them fit their needs into a pre-made program.The 2,025-foot summit mountain is home to 50 trails and glades over three inter-connected mountains accessed by 10 lifts, as well as the tubing center. Titus also has some built-in advantages, such as easy commutes from major cities with little or no traffic and short lift lines. Located in Malone, NY, it is just an hour south of Montreal, two hours from Ottawa, three hours from Albany, and about 5 1/2 hours from the New York City metro area."We make skiing with kids easier by offering plenty of easily-accessible beginner and intermediate terrain, an advantageous resort layout with short distances from the parking lot to the slopes, and ski-in and ski-out lodging," said Monette.###

December, 2019Skiers Can Enter for a Chance to Win Custom Skis or Snowboard, and Alpine and Nordic PassesAdirondacks, USA - In it’s third year, the SkiADK marketing campaign promoting the Adirondacks as an alpine and cross-country ski destination is now underway. Gore Mountain, North Creek Representatives from Adirondack ski areas, along with the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), the destination marketing organization for Franklin, Essex, and Hamilton counties, is using #SkiADK to promote the seven ski areas land many cross country locations located within the Adirondacks — from big mountain terrain with glades and steep verticals to hometown ski centers with loads of tubing fun. The digital and print campaign highlights the attributes, diverse terrain and amenities offered throughout the Adirondacks unifying all the ski centers under one common brand and message — #SkiADK. Skiers and riders are encouraged to share their epic Adirondack mountain adventures on social media by using the hashtag #SkiADK. The seven resorts and ROOST are promoting the use of the hashtag to increase awareness, engagement and garner new social media followers. Oak Mountain, Speculator The campaign includes digital ads in national publications, including Powder Magazine and Ski Canada, as well as native advertising and social media ads. Working with individual ski centers, it highlights not only the abundant and varied trails, but also the off-mountain experiences unique to each region which differentiate the Adirondacks from key competitors. The centerpiece of the campaign is a drawing in March for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind pair of custom #SkiADK skis (or snowboard) made by Parlor, a progressive ski manufacturer headquartered in the Northeast. The winner will be cruising the slopes in style with these beautifully designed shredders. Sporting a slick black topsheet cut with our unique topo line graphic and our #SkiADK moniker, everyone will know you come from world class east coast skiing. “We see this as an effort to bring more skiers from elsewhere to see the Adirondacks as an alpine ski destination. They will discover challenging terrain parks, glades, tubing hills, stellar views, and plenty of amenities for refueling between runs," said Michelle Clement, ROOST’s director of marketing. The seven alpine ski areas included in the campaign are: Whiteface Mountain, Wilmington — the steepest vertical drop in the East; 86 trails, new lodge to service Bear Den Mountain, which is dedicated to beginners. Oak Mountain, Speculator — Oak offers an affordable ski school and lift tickets, and great on-mountain dining. Increased snowmaking this year. Gore Mountain, North Creek — New York’s biggest mountain with four peaks and 110 trails. Titus Mountain Family Ski Center, Malone — rated #1 beginner-friendly ski center in North America by Liftopia; night skiing, new tubing park with added lanes, warming lodge and magic carpet lift. McCauley Mountain, Old Forge — from long cruisers to steep bumps and glades; expansive views from the summit. West Mountain, Queensbury — gentle learning slopes to expert terrain; new quad chairlift, major snowmaking upgrades, and 10 lanes of tubing. Mount Pisgah, Saranac Lake — classic hometown ski hill, close to downtown; night skiing and tubing. Glide through the Adirondacks on Nordic skis Cold winters, deep snowpack, and picturesque forests make the Adirondacks a great place for Nordic skiing. From groomed trails to backcountry thrills, there is something for skiers of all ages and abilities across the region.Click here to view ROOST's cross country skiing video. Cross country skiers can enter to win a nordic ski center mega pack. ###

December, 2020Adirondacks, USA - Snowmobilers in the Adirondacks will now have access to an interactive trail map on their phone to better plan their outdoor riding adventures in one of the largest trail networks in New York state. The new, free Adirondacks, USA snowmobile app contains information about the trails in Essex, Franklin and Hamilton counties, and nearby gas stations, stores, restaurants and lodging properties that welcome sledders. More trails in neighboring counties will eventually be added to provide a more comprehensive map.The interactive map gives the sledder’s location with real-time GPS. Plug in a destination and the route will appear, tap on the trails near you to identify your route, or use the search feature to find the trail you are looking for. Backcountry riders will be glad to know that the app was designed with offline functionality, and its new mapping engine was specially created to work in areas with little to no cell service once it has been downloaded. Created by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), the destination marketing organization for Essex, Franklin and Hamilton counties, the app is available for both iPhone and Android and can be downloaded at the app store. "Our landscape is criss-crossed with hundreds of miles of well-maintained, professionally-groomed and natural trails that are perfect for snowmobile enthusiasts,” said ROOST’s Director of Digital Services Jasen Lawrence. "We want to make it easier for riders to plan their excursions through our beautiful trail network and connect them with the full range of amenities available in our Adirondack communities.”This is the first phase of the ADK Snowmobile app. ROOST is looking to add other features in the future including weather and turn-by-turn directions.###

For immediate release Contacts: Michelle Clement, Director of Marketingmclement@roostadk.com; 518.621.3689 Carrie Gentile, communications coordinatorcgentile@roostadk.com; 518.621.3665 Franklin County celebrates new brand for Malone Region MALONE, NY -- Franklin County and the Malone Region are happy to announce a comprehensive brand that will help promote the area as one of New York’s finest destinations. A brand is a unique image and message that increases awareness of the community for both tourism and for economic development when adopted and integrated consistently. The Malone brand was developed by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) in conjunction with stakeholders, which include community representatives, elected officials, county representatives, the Malone Chamber of Commerce, and business owners. The Malone Region logo consists of a custom typography encased in an oval badge design. Above the typography is a gently rolling mountain silhouette to represent the more mountainous areas of the region. The starry sky represents the dark sky opportunities unique to the Malone area. It also gives a nod to Malone’s nickname of “The Star of the North,” with one big star centrally positioned in the sky. The other stars represent the many diverse communities that make up the region. Below the typography is a graphical representation of agricultural fields and a winding river. This represents the Malone Region’s agricultural heritage and the waterways that tie the area together. The brand materials include variations for each of the towns that comprise the Malone region, including Bangor, Bellmont, Bombay, Brainardsville, Brandon, Brushton, Burke, Chateaugay, Constable, Dickinson, Duane, Fort Covington, Moira, Mountain View, Owls Head, Paul Smiths, Waverly, St. Regis Falls, and Westville. The brand materials also include a number of color variations that can be used to convey the sense of each of the seasons. “The Malone Region is home to a unique mix of people, places, and attractions, and the new brand captures the most notable aspects of the area,” ROOST CEO Jim McKenna said. “The brand will help draw people into the many communities that make up the Malone Region. From the stars to the fields, the brand creates a consistent but unique way for the communities of the Malone Region and northern Franklin County to identify themselves.” “The Malone Region includes great communities, a beautiful and diverse natural landscape, and amazing people,” Franklin County Local Development Corporation CEO Jeremy Evans said. “By combining the marketing efforts for the entire region we're able to promote all of the tourism assets under one brand with one consistent message resulting in greater awareness of the Malone Region as a tourism destination." The typography used in the new brand is based on the original, hand-designed font on the cover of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s famed tome Farmer Boy. Farmer Boy was based on the life of the region’s own Almanzo Wilder, husband of Laura, whose inspirational homestead in Burke is still a draw for fans of the Little House on the Prairie books. Businesses and towns are encouraged to utilize the new brand, and as consistency is key in developing a successful brand, examples and guidelines for use of the brand materials can be found at www.visitmalone.com/brand. For more information, contact ROOST Director of Marketing Michelle Clement at mclement@roostadk.com or 518-621-3689.