Toboggan Nationals Camden Maine Feb 5,6,7, 2016

Toboggan Nationals Camden Maine

Finish Line Toboggan Nationals Camden Maine

In this article we’ll give you information on how best to enjoy the Toboggan Nationals in Camden Maine, including suggested eating places, lodging and of course, offer you locally made keepsake jewelry.

What are the Toboggan Nationals Camden Maine? Is this an Olympic event? Heck no. What it is is a great party on the ice. This is an annual event in February in Camden Maine and this year will be the 26th year this madcap celebration of winter has been going on. Teams of 2, 3, and 4 person divisions, wax their toboggans, figure out the best configuration of sledders and compete to see who can shoot down a wooden shoot ending up on a frozen lake where they slide for some distance.

Camden Maine in the Winter

This event is one of many that is putting Camden in the running for being a cool winter getaway.
Camden is a small coastal village in Maine. In the summer it is known for the beautiful harbor that is calm and picturesque. Boats and yachts come from all over the world to sail these waters. Many boats just like to dock in the harbor and walk around the charming downtown. The town has a state park, Camden Hills, many come to go hiking or site seeing on their way to Acadia National Park. In the summer the boutique stores in the Camden downtown are filled with summer visitors. The restaurants are full with guests celebrating each other and summer. The winter is a little different.

The water is frigid and ice can be seen at the head of the harbor. The hiking trails are covered in snow and ice. The people who come to Maine in the winter truly love the cold, snow and ice. The townies love it so much that they have created a fun winter event that brings teams from all round the world. The U.S. Toboggan Nationals is held at the town owned recreational center, The Camden Snow Bowl. The Toboggan chute was originally constructed in the 1930’s, reconstructed in the 1960’s and again reconstructed in the ’90’s. The chute is 400 ft long and 70 ft in elevation. It is estimated that you can clock about 40 mph on this chute. The date of the event has moved a couple of times to avoid the super bowl and the Camden Winterfest.

In 2013 team names such as the flying fifties, Fellowship of the Sled, The Desperate Housewives, Snow Ninjas, Faster than a Redneck, More Cowbell, Fat Bottom Girls and Slednecks will compete against 500 other teams with silly names. Teams will compete for the fastest times down the chute. Each team is entitled to two runs to qualify for the finals. You do not have to take both runs in the qualifying portion of the event; some find one run down this ice covered chute is enough excitement for them. There are special awards for oldest team, college team, kid’s team, female team and high school team. The printed rules of the event mentions twice that intoxication is a grounds for disqualification.

Although there are a lot of young college kids partying, there is a family fun side of the event. Local families come to watch the young adults dance on the ice, light fires on the pond. Some locals and teams pitch tents on the ice and make the ice their home for the weekend. The serious competitors can be seen waxing their sled and strategist with their team. The ski slopes at Camden Hills are open and many decide to go skiing or head over to the tubing hill. Food and beverages can be purchased along with souvenirs.

Things to Do During The Toboggan Nationals in Camden Maine

Lodging

Where to stay during Toboggan Nationals Camden Maine. The Windward House B&B is a great spot right in the Camden Maine lodging historic village district, very walkable to restaurants, the harbor, and all Camden has to offer. With the only menu breakfast in town, and offering vegan, vegetarian and gluten free breakfast options for years, it’s motto is “small, local… organic” and that about sums it up.

Dining

It’s winter so not all the restaurants are open, but here is a list of some that are open during Toboggan Nationals in Camden Maine…

  1. Camden Deli
  2. Waterfront Restaurant
  3. Mr. Wat’s Sushi
  4. Long Grain Restaurant
  5. Fresh
  6. Cappy’s Chowder House
  7. Drougthy Bear

Toboggan Nationals Camden Maine Bars and Nightlife

  1. Smokestack
  2. Waterfront

Off the Beaten Path… But Worth It

Here are some interesting pubs and bars that are not in Camden Maine, but nearby and worth a visit:

  1. The Badger Pub in Union Maine
  2. Three Tides Marshalls Wharf Brewery in Belfast Maine
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