As of our writing this editorial, 2023 is mere hours from its end. It’s been a whirlwind year, to say the least — there’s been plenty of highs and quite a few lows. One of the best things about the turn of each New Year is the time we get to spend reflecting on everything we’ve been through over the past 365 days. In that spirit, we’re looking back at a few of the biggest mountains and valleys of 2023.

MOUNTAIN — This may be a controversial one, considering its somewhat lackluster impact on many local businesses, but the 2023 Winter World University Games were, overall, a big highlight this year. This event brought more than 1,400 world-class collegiate athletes from 46 nations to our backyard and showcased this region’s incredible winter sports venues. A particularly special part of the Winter World University Games was curling at the freshly-renovated Saranac Lake Civic Center. It was a treat to witness the Chinese women’s curling team stage an epic comeback against Korea in the gold medal match and cheer on Team USA’s men in its gold medal match against Great Britain, but it was even better to share those memories with neighbors and friends.

VALLEY — Our community lost a few treasured members this year, and lost at least four people in two tragic crashes much, much too soon. In July, a car crash took the lives of two Saranac Lake teens, Jonah River Whiting and Lucas Tendler. In October, an airplane crash at the Lake Placid Airport took the lives of former NFL tight end Russ Francis and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Senior Vice President Richard McSpadden. These losses are immeasurable. We continue to mourn the loss of these four and we hope their families and friends can find healing in 2024 and beyond.

VALLEY — 2023 was marked by severe weather and other impacts of climate change. We saw frequent air quality impacts as Canadian wildfires burned throughout the summer. We saw severe flooding tear through the Long Lake area and destroy roads, bridges and homes, while also disrupting the economy at a crucial point in the summer tourism season. We saw the towns of Keene and Jay contend with severe flooding this month and saw minor flooding in Tupper Lake and other towns around this region. Scientists say these type of weather events will become more common moving forward.

MOUNTAIN — The first 10-mile stretch of the Adirondack Rail Trail between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake officially opened earlier this month, a significant milestone as the state continues construction on the 34-mile trail. While the entirety of the trail isn’t expected to be complete until 2025, the second phase between Saranac Lake and Santa Clara is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024. That’s good news, and just one example of the many exciting things we have to look forward to in the new year.