Olympic Ski Jump, New York

The 120-meter and 90-meter ski jump towers loom above the trees near Lake Placid. Built for the 1980 winter Olympics, earlier and smaller ski jump facilities have existed on this site since 1918. Ski jumping practice takes place year-round. A jump cycle, from take-off to landing, can take 20 seconds, and skiers fly through the air for hundreds of feet. Landings on the carefully graded hillslope are gradual.