Ironman Lake Placid has established a community relations coordinator and hotline to assist with training and race-related issues. The community relations coordinator is able to assist with quickly mitigating challenges for community members and businesses as they arise. Businesses and community members should use this if someone has a question about getting to work, is in need of an escort because they live on the race course, an issue presents itself, etc. Community Line: 615-669-0022 Community Email: community.cgi@ironman.com Related Resources: IRONMAN Traffic ImpactsIRONMAN Lake Placid Implements Task Force Committee Recommendations Beyond the Course: A Guide to Lake Placid IRONMAN

An overnight shuttle program for hikers seeking multi-day excursions in the High Peaks Wilderness region of the Adirondacks will be offered on August 8 and August 15 as part of the Essex County Route 73 Hiker Shuttle program. The multi-day shuttle allows visitors to easily hike and camp for up to four days and three nights in the High Peaks Wilderness region, without the cumbersome vehicle logistics required for a through-hike. This special schedule gives easy access to the most popular trails in the region and allows for multi-day “through-hikes” beginning at one location and ending at another, without the need for hikers to drive their vehicle to a regional trailhead. Overnight and multi-peak excursions often require multiple trips and multiple vehicles left at trailheads so that hikers can access their vehicles at the beginning and end of their trip. The multi-day shuttle alleviates this requirement. The shuttle transports visitors from the Frontier Town Gateway parking lot in North Hudson (Exit 29), often referred to as the 'A-frame,' to the Adirondak Loj in North Elba, where hikers can access some of the most popular hiking trails to the most remote peaks, including Marcy, Haystack, Colden, Panther Gorge, Wallface, and Indian Pass. Upon completion of a multi-day or through hike, a pickup van will be dispatched to retrieve hikers, along with their gear, on the following Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from the Tahawus parking lot (Upper Works Trailhead) in Newcomb and transport them back to their vehicle at the Frontier Town Gateway. Hikers using the shuttle service are required to register for their trip on the LoveYourAdk webpage. The registration request is delivered directly to Essex County and the Town of Keene, which coordinates the shuttle transportation schedule. The High Peaks Wilderness lies within the area bounded largely by State Route 73 in Keene, Interstate 87 (the Northway), Blue Ridge Road, and state routes 28N/30. As its name implies, the High Peaks Wilderness is known for its mountainous terrain and contains most of New York state's highest summits, including Mt. Marcy (5,344 feet) and Algonquin Peak (5,114 feet). According to Joe Pete Wilson, supervisor, Town of Keene, the multi-day shuttle provides many benefits. “The shuttle helps alleviate the time and logistics required for through and multi-day hikes as there is no need to drop vehicles off at multiple trailheads - saving both time and gas, it alleviates congestion at the region’s trail heads and it provides a measure of safety as those using the service must register for a pickup day - it's one more entity that knows about hikers’ plans, which is always a good thing.” According to Mary Jane Lawrence, chief operating officer at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, this multi-day shuttle option will benefit both residents and visitors to the region. "We are excited about the option of a shuttle that supports backcountry wilderness hiking trips,” she said. “This will make it much easier and less time-consuming at the beginning and end of a journey,” she said. “We are always supportive of initiatives that contribute to responsible use of the region’s natural resources and this shuttle schedule helps to accomplish that. Through-hikes reduce the stress on many trails in our region because hikers can start at one location and end at another, rather than backtracking on the original trail.” The Frontier Town Gateway shuttle complements the Route 73 shuttle in the Town of Keene that transports hikers from Marcy Field in Keene to the most popular trailheads along Route 73, including the Rooster Comb trailhead, the Giant Mountain Ridge Trail, and Roaring Brook Falls. The shuttle system was launched in 2021 in response to safety concerns regarding parking along the busy Route 73 corridor. The shuttle service was funded by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). It is anticipated that the Frontier Town Gateway shuttle will also transport hikers who are seeking fall foliage hikes during the first two weekends in October. Plans are underway to schedule these fall shuttle routes from Frontier Town Gateway to the Rooster Comb, Giant Mountain, and Roaring Brook Falls trailheads, along with Marcy Field in Keene. The Frontier Town Gateway shuttle schedule is as follows: Monday, August 8, 2022 departure from Frontier Town Gateway at 2:00 p.m. (Day 1) Pick-up day 2: Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.Pick-up day 3: Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.Pick-up day 4: Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2022 departure from Frontier Town Gateway at 2:00 p.m. (Day 1) Pick-up day 2: Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.Pick-up day 3: Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.Pick-up day 4: Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. ​ Post-hike pick up location - Tahawus parking lot (Upper Works Trailhead) in Newcomb The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Hamilton and Essex counties, which includes the Lake Placid region, along with the communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York state. ROOST is also a community member of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. ## Contact: Jane Hooper, communications managerRegional Office of Sustainable Tourism518-621-3662518-578-6328 (cell)jane@roostadk.com

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism has released the results of its 2021 Leisure Travel Study, which analyzes non-business travel to Lake Placid, Essex and Hamilton counties, along with the adjacent communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. The leisure travel study is conducted each year to identify travel trends, gauge the impact of marketing initiatives and implement data-driven decisions. “We base our marketing decisions on available data, insights and trends so that we can optimize results,” said James McKenna, CEO, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. “This survey continues to provide information that allows us to better understand leisure travelers in our region.” Three key findings include: for the first time, the percentage of travelers visiting the region during the fall months (30%) surpassed the percentage of summer visitors (26%); approximately 75% of visitors to the region traveled from within New York state; and a near record-level 211,930 travelers contacted the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism to request travel-related information ahead of their trip, in addition to those who simply visit the organization’s websites, printed material and social channels Results of the 2021 study were more closely aligned with results before the impact of COVID-19 on travel in 2020. That was a year which saw unprecedented visitation trends including more travelers from within New York state and significantly less out-of-state visitation (5%) due to travel restrictions. 2020 also saw a much longer length of stay and larger party size, both suggesting that people wanted to vacate more populous regions of the state for the relative solitude of the Adirondacks. Survey results are typically compared to the previous year, along with a 5-year average, however this year, 2021 results are being compared to those of 2019. “We need to evaluate 2020 a bit differently, as there was a marked increase in party size and length of stay, both directly contributing to a significant spending increase,” said Jane Hooper, communications manager, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. “While we can look at the 2020 survey as a point of reference, we shouldn’t directly compare the results of the 2021 survey with the 2020 survey, due to the unusual circumstances of the pandemic.” Other significant findings include that the average length of stay in the region is roughly 3.4 days, and the vast majority of people choose to stay in a hotel or other rental accommodation. Most people visit from July through October and outdoor activities are a significant reason for visiting. Of those who visited, 79% indicated that hiking was an activity of interest; of those 69% were interested in day hikes, 33% were interested in leisure or hard surface hiking, along with 28% interested in family hiking and 12% interested in hiking the high peaks. Paddling was another important activity for approximately 34% of travelers. Total expenditure per trip in 2021 was approximately $1,390 with lodging, meals and shopping making up the majority of that amount; an increase of 17% over 2019. The study uncovered some slight differences in visitor behavior between those who visited Essex County and others who visited Hamilton County. The majority of visitors to Essex County (43%) stayed at a hotel / motel / resort as opposed to camping (11%), long-term rental (16%) or staying with friends (15%). Those who traveled to Hamilton County stayed at campsites (26%), at a hotel / motel (23%) or at their second home (18%) during their stay. “Outdoor recreation remains popular in the Adirondacks,” commented Hooper, “Survey results continue to support that. This confirms that our marketing efforts should continue to focus on outdoor recreation, while controlling the impacts of that recreation by promoting the importance of responsible recreation through the Love Your ADK campaign.” The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism contracted with PlaceMaking, an independent third-party research firm, to conduct the study. The results include a regional return on marketing investment analysis, plus traveler data for both Essex and Hamilton counties. Those surveyed do not represent all travelers to the region, only those that saw Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism marketing materials, followed the organization's Facebook pages, or subscribed to its weekly email. The entire report, which includes data on day trip travelers, short-term rentals, and additional information, is available for download at RoostADK.com. About the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Essex and Hamilton Counties, which includes the Lake Placid region, along with the communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York state. The organization is also a community member of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. ## Contact:Jane Hooper, communications managerRegional Office of Sustainable Tourism518-621-3662518-578-6328 (cell)jane@roostadk.com

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act and Adirondack Water Week in early August, the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce, Town of Schroon, Schroon Lake Association and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism have partnered to create the Schroon Paddle Challenge. This challenge encourages residents and visitors to undertake excursions on three local waterways that comprise the Schroon Lake watershed: Schroon Lake, the Schroon River to Schroon Lake, and Paradox Lake. Participants can use any type of human-powered vessel such as kayak, canoe or stand-up-paddleboard. Upon completion of the three paddles, finishers will earn the Schroon Paddle Challenge patch. Those who are able to complete all three paddles over a single weekend (Friday-Sunday) will earn an “Ultra” patch, signifying their accomplishment. Challenge participants must register to receive their patch. Additional information can be found on the paddle challenge webpage. A link to register will be active in early August. According to Scott Ireland, president of the Schroon Lake Association, and executive director of the Adirondack Lakes Alliance, the challenge has been established to encourage people to explore our region’s waterways and, perhaps, try a sport that they have never done before. “We know that when people take part in outdoor activity, they tend to develop a love for the natural resources that surround them,” he said. “Encouraging these excursions will shine a light on the importance of the waterways. We are hoping to involve the community in helping to preserve the watershed so that future generations can continue to enjoy this beautiful area.” Watersheds are critical to the health of a region’s ecosystem; along with its social and economic well-being - ensuring that residents and visitors can continue to use the lakes and rivers. A healthy watershed cleans and filters ground water by allowing it to absorb into the ground. This process improves water quality, reduces risk of flooding, reduces risk for invasive species to establish and increases resilience within a changing climate. Ireland explains that one of the most important things that people can learn from this paddle challenge is the importance of ensuring that their boats are clean and dry between paddles or before moving to a different waterway. “‘Clean. Drain. Dry.’ is a simple three-step process that all boaters can follow to stop the spread of invasive species that can upset the delicate balance of our region’s lakes, rivers and streams,” he said. “Boat wash attendants are stationed at many of the lakes in the region this summer - they are a great source of information. I encourage paddlers to have conversations with them whenever possible.” According to Jane Hooper, communications manager at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, the paddle challenge is a fun way to draw attention to the region’s watersheds and encourage paddlers to do their part to keep our waterways healthy. “The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism supports controlling the impacts of outdoor recreation on the region through education and promotion of educational information to residents and visitors. Ensuring that people understand the importance of our waterways helps control the health of our region’s lakes, rivers and lands; all things that contribute to our quality of life in the Adirondacks,” she said. “The more people who care for the waterways, the better.” The three paddles that comprise the Schroon Paddle Challenge include: Schroon River (South River) This paddle begins at the Horicon boat launch on Glendale Road and ends at the Starbuckville Dam, just over four miles away. Paddlers can enjoy a slow and winding trip downstream. Those completing this paddle for the challenge are only required to paddle one way. Participants should consider spotting a car at the Starbuckville Dam, or plan to take the return paddle to the Horicon boat launch. Do not attempt to paddle past the bridge marked with warning signs. Riverside Pines Campground, near Starbuckville Dam, is allowing one-way trip paddlers to take out at the beach to rest briefly at the campground beach before leaving the area or making the return paddle. Schroon River to Schroon Lake (North River) This paddle begins on the Schroon River on Alder Meadow Road. Enjoy a slow and winding 4.5-mile paddle downstream through a region that feels more like a backcountry paddle. It features beautiful scenery, wildlife, and borders on state land. The paddle ends at the Schroon Lake boat launch on the west side of the lake. Those completing this paddle for the challenge are only required to paddle one way. Participants should consider spotting a car at the Schroon Lake boat launch, or plan to take the return paddle to Alder Meadow Road. Paradox Lake The Paradox Lake paddle encourages participants to undertake an outing on the lake. There is no minimum distance or time requirement, so paddlers can feel free to enjoy a leisurely outing or a full-day adventure. About the Schroon Lake Association The Schroon Lake Association is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and protecting the welfare of Schroon Lake, the Schroon River, and the watershed area. It is devoted to protecting, preserving, testing, and eradicating invasive species, to maintain purity of waters that define the Town of Schroon and neighboring communities. About the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Hamilton and Essex counties, which includes the Lake Placid region, along with the communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York state. ROOST is also a community member of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. ## Contact:Jane Hooper, communications managerRegional Office of Sustainable Tourism518-621-3662518-578-6328 (cell)jane@roostadk.com

The Lake Placid Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism will host a Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games informational session, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. The event, being held in the Conference Center at Lake Placid’s Lussi Ballroom, will give area residents and businesses the opportunity to learn more about the preparation leading up to the 11-day, Jan. 12-22, 2023, winter sports and educational festival. Presenters will include Adirondack Sports Council, NYS Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) and the Lake Placid Central School District. The Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games are expected to bring more than 2,500 collegiate athletes and delegates from 50 nations and 600 universities to Lake Placid and the North Country region to compete in 12 sports and 86 events. The Lake Placid region will play host to Alpine Skiing at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, Men’s and Women’s Curling in Saranac Lake, while ORDA’s Olympic venues in Lake Placid will host Opening and Closing ceremonies, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating and the medal rounds for Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey. Lake Placid’s Main Street will also host nightly festivals, live music and medal award ceremonies. The event will also highlight School Schedule during Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games/Student Engagement Opportunities. Information about community and student involvement and engagement during the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games will be discussed. Topics will range from how to spectate to volunteer to community, student and guest impacts will be addressed. Two additional information sessions will be scheduled, and dates released at this session. Frequently asked questions regarding the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games can be found by visiting https://www.lakeplacid2023.com/about/faqs. Individuals who would like to email questions and comments prior to the Aug. 30 informational session can do so by emailing info@lakeplacid2023.com. ### Contact: Jon LundinLake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games Head of Communications & MediaTel: 518-637-6885email: jlundin@lakeplacid2023.com