36th Annual US National Toboggan Championships

2027 U.S. National Toboggan Championships

Welcome to the 36th annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships team registration portal! Since 1991, this event has been a hallmark of winter magic—a unique blend of fierce competition and lasting camaraderie. Whether you are joining us for the very first time or returning for another legendary weekend, we are thrilled to have you racing with us Feb. 4-6, 2027.

The story of the iconic toboggan chute began in the winter of 1936, with its first exhilarating runs taking place in January 1937. Rebuilt in the 1960s and again in 1990, the chute was officially named the Jack R. Williams Toboggan Chute in 1991, the inaugural year of the U.S. National Toboggan Championships.

The Jack R. Williams Toboggan Chute and the Snow Bowl’s original lodge and ski trails were built by a dedicated team of local volunteers. Their spirit lives on today, as volunteers continue to repair and maintain the chute, clear brush, and ensure that “Tobogganville” remains ready for our annual festivities. The event owes its success to these selfless individuals who dedicate countless hours year-round to make it happen.

What began as a celebration of a cherished community treasure has grown into a thrilling weekend of races, fun, and fundraising. Each February, the Snow Bowl comes alive with 400 teams, 1,300 racers, and more than 5,000 spectators. It’s a weekend of pure winter joy, showcasing the best of Maine’s spirited community.

What to Expect

• Friday, from noon to 7 p.m., is for team check-in. Pick up your waiver bracelets and team bibs, get your toboggan inspected, take a test run down the chute, stock up on limited-quantity U.S. National Tboggan Championships merchandise, grab a bite to eat in the Snow Bowl lodge, maybe even take a few turns on Ragged Mountain's ski trails!
• Saturday kicks off at 8 a.m. with preliminary toboggan runs, when teams have two chances (runs) to log their fastest time. The fastest 50 2-person teams, 50 fastest 3-person teams and the 100 fastest 4-person teams advance to the finals, so if you think you're in the top 50% in your division, you don't have to take a second run. But why wouldn't you go down another time?!? Racing starts with the 2-person (100 max.) teams and 3-person (100 max.) teams take their first runs, followed by their second runs. We break for lunch and the Costume Contest Parade, then pick back up with 4-person (200 max.) teams and Experimental (15 max.) teams taking their first runs, closing out the day of racing around 4 p.m.
• Sunday morning racing starts an hour later (9 a.m.), when 4-person teams and Experimental teams take their second runs, closing out preliminary racing that determines who moves on to the finals around noon. In the finals, teams must take two runs because winners are determined by the total of both runs.

Location

Held in picturesque Camden, Maine, at the town-owned four season recreation and ski area, the Camden Snow Bowl: 20 Barnestown Road. The renowned Jack Williams Toboggan Chute is located on the backside of Hosmer Pond in an area of the Snow Bowl called Tobogganville. During Toboggan Nationals, Tobogganville comes alive with racers, their crews and fans; food trucks; a USNTC Merchandise tent, a Sea Dog Brewing beer tent and hundreds of traditional wooden toboggans. Some of the teams set up encampments on the ice on Hosmer Pond, a great place to view teams as they come out of the chute and slide across the pond. Racers lucky enough to score one of the limited number of VIP or Reserved parking spaces can set up a tailgate area and park a vehicle there for the weekend. On-site vehicle parking is $20/car and is limited Saturday and Sunday. Carpooling is recommended. On-site parking often fills by mid-morning Saturday.