HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT SLEDDING HILL

By Ken Sturtz

Zooming down a snow-covered hill on a sled can be exhilarating. If you want to be a sledding hero this winter follow these tips to create a firstrate sledding hill.

Think Safety First

Parental supervision is a must, especially for younger children. Stay away from sledding near roads as well as frozen lakes, streams and ponds. If you’re going to be sledding on some big hills and getting some serious speed, it’s worth thinking about wearing a helmet. At the very least you’ll want to make sure your sled is in good working order. Sleds that can be controlled with a steering device are a good idea.

Selecting the Hill

Unless you know someone with construction equipment, building your own hill probably isn’t feasible. Look for a hill on your property (or, if you have permission, a neighbor’s) that is open and gently sloping. Too steep and you’ll lose control, too flat and you aren’t going anywhere. A level area at the bottom is helpful for safely stopping. You may have to cut down a few trees to make room. Before it snows check for any holes or obstructions, such as rocks or fence posts, that might be an issue

Snow and Sleds

It’s possible to sled on all kinds of snow, but for best results wait until it snows when it’s warmer out, preferably just below freezing. That tends to produce wetter, heavier snow. This kind of snow is good for sledding because it reduces friction by releasing water when under the pressure of a heavy sled. That helps you speed down the hill. Plus, who wants to go sledding when it’s bitter cold out?

From the classic to the modern, there are sleds of every variety available and most of them can provide a good experience under the right conditions. Experiment with several kinds to find one you prefer. If you’re looking for speed (and don’t mind plunking down some cash) you might try L.L. Bean’s Sonic Snow Tube, which is highly rated. It features a hard-shell bottom that cuts down on drag and performs well on all kinds of snow. It even comes with a tow handle. The downside, other than the price, is that it’s difficult to steer.

Add a Tow Rope

Call it laziness, but it can get tiring trudging back up a hill after each ride down. Remedy this problem by installing a tow rope. If you’re not mechanically inclined, you’ll need to recruit some help but the basics are fairly straightforward. You need an electric or gas motor at one end of the hill and a return pulley at the other. The system turns a long rope and gives everyone a free ride up the hill. The system needs to be anchored at each end, which is something to think about before cutting down trees on your hill. How much rope and exactly what kind of motor you’ll need depends on the individual circumstances. Given the amount of tinkering involved you’ll want to start well before the snow flies.

Ron Jardin of Mexico has been building snow sculptures for 30 years. “Now if there’s snow and I feel good I’m out there,” he says.

PASSION FOR SNOW SCULPTURE

Ron Jardin, a retired teacher, has built snow sculptures on his front lawn each winter for 30 years. He shares tips for making a stunning looking snow sculpture.

By Ken Sturtz

Each fall when the first snowfall is still months away people begin quizzing Ron Jardin about his snow sculptures.

“Neighbors and friends to this day ask me ‘What are you going to make?’ but I never tell them,” he said. “It’s always a secret.”

For 30 years now, Jardin has created snow sculptures in his front yard each winter. They’ve become neighborhood attractions, growing more elaborate over time.

Jardin, 71, taught physical education and coached track and cross-country for more than 40 years, so many former students also drive by his house in the village of Mexico to glimpse his creations.

Crafting snow sculptures is actually one of Jardin’s more orthodox hobbies. He joined the rodeo team in college and for several years after becoming a teacher he spent breaks riding broncos with the rodeo. He and his family were involved in historical reenacting. And he’s constructed several authentic full-size tipis.

An avid outdoorsman, Jardin spends as much time as possible outside during winter, enjoying activities such as camping and skiing.

“I love winter,” he said. “There’s no bugs, your food doesn’t spoil and the bears are sleeping.”

He got the idea to build his first snow sculpture when his daughter, Annie, was less than a year old. Unbeknownst to his wife, Jardin played hooky from shoveling the driveway and built a snow woman in the yard.

“She thought I was outside enjoying my shoveling,” he said.

He gave the snowwoman a carrot nose, drank two bottles of lemonade to use the caps for eyes and added a scarf. He added a decorative bonnet swiped off a closet door. His plan was to set the baby in a pocket in the snow so it looked like the