Double Olympic Medalist Andrew Weibrecht, Son Of Mirror Lake Inn Owners, Ends Ski Racing Career
After 16 years of racing for United States Ski and Snowboard that saw him win two Olympic medals, Andrew Weibrecht has called it a day. He made the official announcement on May 2.
The 32-year-old son of Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa owners Ed and Lisa Weibrecht cited a growing family – another sibling will soon join two-year-old Adalina and wife Denja – and time away from them as the primary reason for ending his competitive career. Andrew added that numerous injuries in recent years had prevented him from training and preparing properly, and that took its toll on his performances.
After so many years of packing, traveling and racing, and moving in and out of hotels, that chapter of his life now is closed, but the realization has not been immediate.
“Normally, we’re off this time of the year. I think once we get to the time where I realize I won’t be getting back into training mode, I’m not spending 4-6 hours a day in the gym or on my bike, and I’m not getting ready for a trip to South America, that’s when it’ll really hit home,” Weibrecht contemplated.
The hard-charging athlete raced onto the U.S. national team when he was 16 years old, coming from the New York Ski Educational Foundation at Whiteface Mountain, 10 miles from the family resort. He was widely recognized as a highly skilled technical skier, developing a daring reputation in the speed events as one who kept fans engaged, especially when the world was watching.
The quiet, introspective Weibrecht came through when it mattered most: to the general public he was unknown in 2010 when he grabbed the Olympic super G bronze medal in Vancouver. Four years ensued, however, that saw him beset by a litany of injuries and he was written off as a result. Nevertheless, and even as he contemplated retirement, the blonde-haired racer blasted his way to a silver medal in the same event in Sochi in 2014. Only soft conditions at the bottom of a sunny, warm track kept him from the top rung of the podium.
His third and final Olympic berth occurred most recently in PyeongChang, South Korea where he concluded his career. Now, just a month after yet another knee surgery, Weibrecht is ready to move on, and looking at his agenda, he will be anything but retired.
He has already further immersed himself in various aspects of the family run business that he came to know so well in his youth. The Weibrecht family purchased the Mirror Lake Inn in the late 1970’s and have been at the helm ever since. Under their guidance the property has expanded and flourished over the years, ultimately achieving the AAA Four Diamond Award for “Excellence” for the past 34 consecutive years. Similarly, The Inn’s signature restaurant “The View” has earned the prestigious Four Diamond award for 11 straight years.
“I’ve been involved at the Mirror Lake Inn the last couple of years in a small capacity when I’ve been off the road,” he said. “Since I’ve retired I’ve picked up on that and started doing some really interesting stuff with the crew here, helping out with some marketing and guest services.”
In the future, it’s envisioned that the hotel’s guest offerings will include outdoor experiences in the Adirondacks as well as skiing outings with the medal winning Olympian. Currently, Weibrecht’s passion for his native mountains and waters has lead him to the guide exam so he can ultimately share his vast knowledge with visitors.
“Andrew’s diverse interests and ability to connect with our guests will definitely separate us from other properties in our part of the world,” said Ed Weibrecht. “While we certainly enjoyed sharing his Olympic success, we are now most excited about his involvement with our guests and staff starting immediately.”
“I’m excited to be a part of the team here and am looking forward to getting more involved,” added Andrew. “It’s something I’ve been around my entire life so I feel I have some understanding of it, but getting into the hands on, day to day guest interaction has been really exciting, so I’ll be here full time for the summer before heading back to school at Dartmouth College where I have one year left.”
Andrew will return to campus in the fall to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Earth Sciences.
“It’s a different part of my life that I never saw through because of skiing so I’m excited to get back into it. And given the difference in ages and interests, it’ll be interesting to see what’s going on in that world,” he chuckled.
While skiing has taken him to every corner of the globe, his Olympic medals have remained at the Inn for the past eight years and continue to greet guests at the front desk. Now with Andrew on site more frequently, those medals will truly come to life.
“In terms of getting involved in the real world, it’s been great. It’s something I always struggled with as an athlete. I always wanted to do more. I didn’t necessarily want to be just an athlete. There were a lot of other things that interested me that I didn’t have time to do. So now that I’ve closed the page on my athletic life, it’s nice to be able to explore different things and find out what I’m good at and see what comes next.”
The AAA Four Diamond Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa is a luxury lakefront resort, offering its’ guests an authentic Adirondack experience. The Inn, rated Four Diamond for 34 consecutive years, offers both Four Diamond world-class cuisine and casual dining options, with impeccable service amid awe-inspiring views. Only one other property in New York (located in Manhattan), has maintained the Four Diamond designation longer than Mirror Lake Inn. It is the only property in Lake Placid that combines Four Diamond lodging and dining. The Inn's renowned Lake Placid spa pampers the body and refreshes the mind with a comprehensive menu of services. The Inn is conveniently located one block from the restaurants and shops on Main Street in Lake Placid.
