Downhill World Cup comes to Whiteface Mountain

Downhill World Cup racing is coming to the United States once again, and organizers have officially announced the race will take place at Whiteface Mountain in New York.

We’ve known that the World Cup would be hosting both downhill and cross country racing in Lake Placid this year, but until this morning there was only speculation about where the downhill track would be housed.

The cross country racing will still take place at Mount Van Hoevenberg, just down the road of downtown Lake Placid. The venue built a brand new course for the World Cup last September, and during the winter Mount Van Hoevenberg hosts Nordic skiing and sliding sports facilities.

Whiteface Mountain is only about 10 miles from Lake Placid. For fans traveling between the downhill and cross country venues, the drive will take about 30 minutes.

Interestingly, Whiteface has not operated its mountain bike park the last 5 years. Could elite racing spur the return of a downhill bike park at Whiteface? At this point, we can only hope.

A press release notes that Whiteface offers more than 3,400 vertical feet of terrain, allowing racers to plunge down steep and technical terrain in New York’s Adironack region.

Credit: UCI Mountain Bike World Series

Here’s what organizers said in the press release:

“We’re thrilled to build on the success of last year with the addition of downhill racing at Whiteface Mountain. Our goal is to deliver an exceptional experience for both athletes and fans, while showcasing the world’s best mountain bikers across two formats. Events like this not only elevate the profile of the Olympic Region and its thriving cycling community but also generate meaningful economic impact for our region.” - Darcy Rowe Norfolk, Olympic Authority Spokesperson

“We’re thrilled to return to Lake Placid—this time not only to Mt Van Hoevenberg for Cross-country, but also to Whiteface for Downhill. Recognised as one of the premier ski destinations in the United States, we’re proud to support its revival by bringing world-class downhill racing to this iconic venue. If last season’s experience in Lake Placid is anything to go by, we’re in for another outstanding week of mountain biking that’s sure to excite both fans and riders. Supporting the resurgence of mountain biking at Whiteface and celebrating the sport’s continued growth in the region is something we’re incredibly excited about.” - Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at WBD Sports

The Lake Placid round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series takes place October 3-5, 2025.