It is something I have always tried to do each year and the activity goes by a few different names. We have always called it coasting which I think is a slang term, some refer to it as sledding and/or tobogganing, but apparently there is a difference by description.
TOBOGGANING AND SLEDDING – A HISTORY AND COMPARISON
Yesterday we tackled our big hill as it finally had enough snow on it. The wind this winter has blown the snow into the driveway and kept the grass showing on the coasting hill until now. We tried a few different devices and a couple of things were discovered. Crazy Carpets still work best when laying on your stomach, but frozen cow patties hurt the belly when you slide over them. Also when daddy is in the sled with two little boys, you go a lot faster and when you need to roll off there is a good chance it will result in snowy faces. The boys have Spider-Man and Paw Patrol slider toboggans with really slippery bottoms and handles, they go really well. We are talking National Lampoons Christmas Vacation speed.
There is an experiment you can conduct if you want to bring science into this fun winter activity to determine the best device and technique.
I think the most important thing is not the speed or the device used to go down the hill, but just that you have to do it. I have heard of people using car hoods, sheets of cardboard, but whether you have a steerable Snow Racer or an old fashioned ash toboggan, the thrill of cruising down a snow covered hill needs to be enjoyed.
Here are the safety tips around tobogganing. My favorite is number 11, hot chocolate is a MUST!
Have fun and remember, this is what you should NOT do!
