It was tough putting your finger on it, but there was something unusual about the people talking at the edge of the woods. Maybe it was the large moose hat with antlers that two of them wore. Or the guy in the orange Care Bear outfit next to the woman in a pink bear suit. Except that none of the other few hundred people walking around seemed to notice.
Welcome to The U.S. National Toboggan Championship.
Started as a lark by a handful of locals, the event celebrated its 18th birthday this February. More than 500 teams---consisting of two, three and four-person sleds---raced the clock down the slope over two days. The costumes were as fanciful as the names, like The Wing Nuts, Hogs & Heffers and Killer Honey Bees (yes, they were dressed as bees and their striped costumes with yellow stingers attached won Best Costume). Most of the teams were local, but some came from as far away as Delaware and Maryland.
Located next to the slopes at the Camden Snow Bowl, a small ski area a few miles from downtown, the wooden chute starts a short distance up the mountain and ends on the frozen surface of Hosmer Pond. Competitors carry their toboggans up a trail through the woods to the staging platform. When it's time to launch, the Chute Master trips a lever brake and the team lurches forward in unison, trying to get out of the gate as fast as possible. The fastest of the sleds break the tape at the end of the run about nine seconds later.
Need something to warm you up? No problem. The Chili & Chowder Challenge served up helpings of each, provided by local restaurants vying for top honors. Or bring your own barbecue, as many of the teams do.
If you feel you need a few runs down the chute before you're ready for the National Championship, the chute is open for business most days, temperature permitting. And it's cheap. The cost is $5 per person per hour and that includes the toboggan---if yours is still in the speed shop getting waxed.
For more information, contact the Snow Bowl: 207-236-3438
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