The Red Devil Toboggan Slide – Government Camp’s Thrill Ride
A Short-Lived Toboggan Slide
In the late 1920s, Government Camp became a hub for winter recreation. In 1927, the Portland Advertising Club built a toboggan slide, ski jump, and ski runs at the east end of town. The slide gave visitors an exciting way to enjoy the snow.
Unfortunately, a fierce windstorm in 1931 destroyed the original structure. Fallen trees crushed the wooden slide, forcing organizers to rebuild. As a result, they constructed a new and improved toboggan slide that same year. The Red Devil Toboggan Slide.
The Birth of the Red Devil Toboggan Slide
The second slide was longer, faster, and more thrilling than its predecessor. Because of its extreme speed, locals nicknamed it the “Red Devil.” It had a dual-track system and a cable that pulled toboggans back to the top.
Under ideal conditions, riders could reach speeds of 60 miles per hour. As a result, the slide became a major attraction, drawing winter sports enthusiasts from all over. Eventually, the surrounding area even took on the name Red Devil Hill because of the slide’s popularity.
The Slide Becomes Too Dangerous
However, speed and excitement came with risks. Toboggans sometimes flew off the track, and riders suffered injuries. Over time, accidents increased, and concerns over safety grew.
By 1935 or 1936, the slide was dismantled. Instead, organizers installed one of the first rope tows in the region. Therefore, the focus shifted from tobogganing to skiing, marking a new era for Government Camp.
A Legacy That Lives On
The Red Devil Toboggan Slide is gone, but the land still serves as a winter recreation area. Today, it is part of Summit Ski Area, the second-oldest continuously operating ski area in the United States. Originally established in 1927, Summit was first known as the Winter Sports Facility and even served as a rescue base for lost skiers. In 2018, Timberline Lodge’s operators purchased the area and renamed it Summit Pass.
Looking ahead, Summit will play a key role in easing access to Timberline Lodge. Plans are underway to construct a tram that will transport visitors between Government Camp and Timberline, reducing parking congestion at the popular ski resort. While the Red Devil Toboggan Slide is now part of history, the land continues to evolve, serving generations of winter sports enthusiasts.
Sources
- The Oregonian, February 10, 1927 — “Red Devil Toboggan Slide Opens at Government Camp.”
- The Oregonian, February 13, 1927 — Coverage of early crowds using the Red Devil slide.
- The Oregon Journal, February 1927 — “Thrills and Spills at Government Camp’s New Toboggan Run.”
- The Oregon Journal, March 1927 — Follow-up reports on winter sports at Government Camp.
- The Oregonian, January 1931 — Retrospective mention of the Red Devil slide.
- The Sunday Oregonian, February 7, 1932 — Feature on winter recreation at Mount Hood resorts.
- Grauer, Jack. Mount Hood: A Complete History. (Portland, OR: Self-published, various editions).
My grandfather Everett J. Sickler who built the Battle Axe Inn, installed the first toboggan slide as a way to entice more people up to the camp. Although EJ said the real reason people came was because of his wife Belle’s cooking.
Do you know if your grandfather made the toboggans for his ride or if a company made them. We have a cabin on Mt Hood and there was an old oak toboggan in it There’s a black burned in name ((branded) but we can’t read it. What a ride that would have been. Thanks