In the early 1920’s, during the City of Laconia’s Winter Carnival, sliding down the half-mile long Toboggan Chute was the most popular activity. A 1922 Laconia Democrat article proclaimed it as the longest slide in the state. There were two separate tracks leading down the Chute, so side-by-side toboggan racing was possible. (Later on, there were three separate tracks.) During the Carnival, toboggans were available to rent for a small fee, and came in both 8′ and 10′ lengths.

The Toboggan Chute was located on Mile Hill (now known as Ladd Hill), a hill that overlooked the Pearl Street fairgrounds (now known as Memorial Park). In 2010, the City cleared the hill of extensive brush, allowing sliding on the hill again after decades of dormancy. The Laconia Sledding Hill is located at the end of South Street, off of Academy Street. However, there are no plans to build another wooden launching ramp!

A 1923, Laconia Democrat article noted that the Third Annual winter carnival, Feb 10-13, featured competitions in ski jumping, ski races, snowshoe races, skating and skating races. “Pleasure seekers enjoyed skating, the toboggan chute and ski jump, a number of sleighing parties and snowshoe hikes.”

In 1924, the Laconia Democrat reported that, for the fourth annual Winnipesaukee Winter Carnival of the Laconia Winter Club, held Feb 22-23, events over the two days included ski jumping at Lakeport under the direction of the Winnipesaukee Ski Club, fancy skating and a hockey game at the Pearl Street Rink, events at the toboggan chute, the second annual Knicker Carnival Ball at the Armory, horse racing on Lake Opechee, a parade leading from Downtown to Pearl Street for the Grand Masquerade on Skates, and a grand display of fireworks.

The rink was open to the public. “Every afternoon and night finds large crowds of folks, both old and young, enjoying the excellent skating surface.”