Experience a Winter Tradition 120+ Years in the Making

The Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide receives the final touches before opening weekend.

Visit Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania, on a cold winter weekend, and you’ll realize why it’s often dubbed “the town that time forgot.” Set among the historic cottages and quaint mountaintop views, the Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide brings an old-time winter tradition to life.

The idea started when Captain E.S. Chase’s grandchildren asked him to build a “real good” toboggan slide. If anyone could dream up the perfect slide, it was Captain Chase. He had already laid out the street plans for Eagles Mere and created the village’s trails, including the beloved Laurel Path.

In winter 1904, the local men gathered to cut massive blocks of ice with hand saws. They hauled the blocks with horse-drawn wagons and sleds and built a slide beyond any kid’s wildest dreams. The icy track started at the top of the hill on Lake Avenue and continued across the frozen surface of Eagles Mere Lake.

 

A historical marker stands at the junction of Lake Avenue and Route 42.

 

Over 120 years later, volunteers are still creating the Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide according to Chase’s original plans. Custom-made equipment has made the work a bit easier, but it still requires hundreds of man hours and endless dedication. The Eagles Mere Volunteer Fire Company, along with fire companies across Sullivan County, work together to make it a reality. The slide is their biggest fundraiser of the year.

Of course, Mother Nature has to cooperate. After a series of warm winters, this year will be the first time the slide has opened since 2014.

“It’s the first year with social media, so we’re expecting a really, really big crowd,” said Shelly Vest, secretary/treasurer of the Eagles Mere Slide Association. A lifelong resident of Eagles Mere, she also serves as the fire police captain and treasurer for the fire company. “We’re geared up for it. Everyone in the fire company is excited. Even the community is excited. There are quite a few small businesses here that will benefit from the slide running.”

 

The slide is grooved to keep the toboggans steady and safe.

 

Construction began on the weekend of January 24. Over 80 volunteers came out to help cut, transport, and stack blocks of ice. This year’s slide is about a quarter mile long and consists of 843 blocks. The toboggans can reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour. The heavier the sled, the faster it goes, so bring friends for a wild ride!

“We also have another generation of volunteers,” explained Vest. “A lot of the older generation have retired from the fire company, so this is the first year that the younger generation is running it. That’s really interesting. The older people have to turn down the tradition to the younger people, and they have to show them how everything’s done and how it’s built. This is the recipe of what they left us.”

Before the official opening, volunteers and their families took the slide for a test run. The youngest rider was fourteen months old, while the oldest was 90 years old. Whether you’re a kid or simply young at heart, it’s hard to resist the thrill of the toboggan run.

 

Due to warm weather, the Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide has not operated since 2014.

 

The weather needs to be just right for the toboggan slide to open, so always check the conditions before traveling to town. The Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide is set to open the weekend of February 1 (closed January 31 due to rain). For the latest updates, check eaglesmeretobogganslide.com, follow the Eagles Mere Volunteer Fire Co. on Facebook, or call the information hotline at 570-525-3244.

Here are some other tips to know before you go:

Location: The slide is located at the intersection of Route 42 and Lake Avenue in Eagles Mere.

Hours: Hours of operation are Fridays 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sled rentals are available until one hour before closing. It’s best to arrive early in case there’s a long wait.

Cost: UPDATED! The cost is $30 per toboggan, cash only. Up to five adults can ride on one toboggan. Reservations are not available.

Parking: Visitors are advised to park along Pennsylvania Avenue.

Places to Stay: View our Places to Stay directory for a full list of local accommodations.

Places to Eat: View our Restaurants page for nearby dining options.

 

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