Much like the Olympic Games, the World University Games are not something we expect to see take place in our region a lot, if ever again. So people are taking advantage — and capturing as much of it as they can.

With all the events now underway, fans have been taking photos and videos and posting them to their social media sites. And when you consider all the events happening in downtown Lake Placid, including nightly medal ceremonies, shows, concert, athlete appearances and visits from the games’ mascot Adirondack Mac, camera phones are getting a workout.

Of course, that’s nothing new for Lake Placid and the Adirondacks. Not only does this region have its winter sports history, but some of the most breathtaking nature in the country, and it’s led to the region being given a very special honor.

What You Need To Know

  • New York state has invested more than $500 million into Lake Placid’s Olympic venues and sites

  • The most recent set of renovations included upgrades to Mt. Van Hoevenberg, the ski jumps, the speedskating oval, Whiteface Mountain, Herb Brooks Arena, the Olympic Center and more in time for the World University Games

  • Downtown Lake Placid has new sidewalks, parking, accessibility and runoff prevention to keep materials out of Mirror Lake

“Lake Placid is photogenic. There's no doubt about it,” Jane Hooper said. "There are amazing places to see. Amazing things to look at. The scenery is fantastic all the time.”

As the communications manager for ROOST, Lake Placid Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, Hooper knows the Adirondacks. But every now and then, even she cannot believe the beauty that's in her backyard.

"The amazing scenery. I mean, I'm biased. I live here. It's one of the most beautiful places that I've ever been to in my life," Hooper said. "With those trees covered in snow, it looks very black and white. But it's beautiful," Hooper added.

So much so that Lake Placid has been named the "most Instagram-worthy winter wonderland" across the globe by SkyParkSecure.  

Many visitors, especially those in town for these World University Games, have the social media site down and it's their photos and their postings that not only led to this distinction, but has led to Lake Placid becoming a tourist must-visit.

"There are so many different stories and everyone is going to experience it and have their own story to tell once they're here. It's it really, truly is an amazing place," Hooper said.

And perhaps there's no more amazing of a place than right here, Herb Brooks Arena, home of the 1980 Olympic Miracle on Ice.

"This 1980 Arena is pretty much, you know, I would argue what put Lake Placid on the map," Hooper said.

A map that now, 43 years later, is much more like a GPS. The game that aired on tape delay back in 1980, would have now have millions updating it as it happens.

“When you talk about an Instagram-worthy moment,” Hooper said with a camera in her hand.

Tourism officials say social media has changed the game, telling us it’s now far more important to provide great experiences for people — who share them on social media — than it is to work to attract people through traditional methods.