LAKE PLACID — The annual Lake Placid Lions Club competition took place on the evening of Feb. 22 at the historic and recently reconstructed North Elba Toboggan slide, which gives all who dare a thrilling ride ending halfway across Mirror Lake for those who keep their toboggan on a straight and narrow path.

The winners of the events were determined by volunteers who marked the length of the ride for all participants. The top three teams for two separate events won trophies following the conclusion of each competition.

The 59th Lake Placid Lions Club toboggan event took place this year under perfect winter conditions. Anxious challengers of all ages climbed the stairs to the top in hopes of a winning ride. Starters quickly pulled and pushed the sliders, aiming for the longest ride across Mirror Lake to win the team trophy.

Teams included visitors from places like New York City, New Jersey, Syracuse, Rochester, Ottawa and Washington, D.C. The teams, mostly made up of families and friends, typically consisted of two to four riders of diverse sizes and ages per toboggan.

The key ingredient to make the podium was to keep the toboggan going straight. A few made it to the end of the course and up the snowbanks, but many spun out with excited shrieks.