On Tuesday, March 12, Sara Ashley of the LPVAS confirmed that the contest had been canceled, adding on Wednesday that LPVAS President Larry Brockway would issue an official statement about the cancellation, which was not received by press time.

“The lake’s going to be open next week,” Jim Forsyth of Tri-Lakes Marine predicted on Wednesday.

Forsyth has been a Lake Placid ice meister — someone who keeps a close eye on the ice to identify the official ice out date — since 2004. The other ice meisters for Lake Placid last year were Brian Bliss and Marty and Mary Shubert.

For Lake Placid, the ice out criteria is “navigate around the lake and through the straights.” The ice out range for Lake Placid is March 26 in 2013 to May 16 in 1972.

Forsyth learned Tuesday that the contest was canceled.

“(Ice out is) also incredibly early, so it doesn’t surprise me,” he said.

During the contest, participants buy tickets to take their guesses at the ice out date and time for both Mirror Lake and Lake Placid. Each contestant has a chance to win for both lakes.

“It’s a real bummer,” said Jenn Holderied Webb, director of marketing and owner at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, which is located on the shore of Mirror Lake.

Webb has been a Mirror Lake ice meister for nearly 10 years. Until the day is close, all she has to do is look out her office window. Once the lake nears ice out, she meets with her fellow Mirror Lake ice meisters to decide the official date. The other ice meisters for Mirror Lake last year were Theresa Brady and Andy Orringer.

The ice out criteria for Mirror Lake is “lake substantially open, from shore to shore, from village to the Boathouse, maybe some in end bays.” The ice out range for Mirror Lake is March 23 in 2012 to May 13 in 1971.

Last year, the ice went out on Mirror Lake on April 14 and on Lake Placid lake on April 15. The LPVAS raised $2,795 during the 2023 fundraiser.

Webb said the benefit is always a fun community event, and that locals enjoy helping the LPVAS.

The Golden Arrow bought tickets for the whole staff every year as a donation to the ambulance service. Employees have been asking Webb where this year’s tickets are; now she knows. An interview with the Lake Placid News on Wednesday was the first she’d heard of the cancellation.