article from OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2007
Fun—Downhill Style!
With winter comes a vast array of sports—most of which involve snow!
BY BRADFORD G. SCHLEIFER
With the signs of fall, from cooler nights to leaves turning colors, the long days of summer quickly come to an end. However, this does not mean your outdoor activities should subside along with the warmer temperatures.
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Winter allows for a variety of sports and activities that can keep you busy through the snow-covered months: snowshoeing, American football, snowball battles, ice skating, hockey, skiing, snowboarding and sledding, among others.
Arguably the most exhilarating experience is when you combine deep snow and large hills or mountains with downhill fun. You feel the excitement of racing down a powdered hillside with the challenge and skill of maintaining control. In many ways, snowboarding, skiing and sledding define what so many enjoy about winter.
Skateboarding Without Wheels!
One of the most popular winter sport among young people is snowboarding, which is basically surfing or skateboarding on snow. Your stance and many of the movements mirror both sports. Beyond that, the similarities end.
You can think of snowboarding as skiing on a skateboard without wheels. While you move slower than on skis, snowboarding gives you greater control over a wider variety of snowy terrain. This means snowboarding is often easier to learn, and you can quickly leave the bunny hills (for beginners) and move to something more challenging.
The first step in learning how to snowboard is to find a ski facility in your area. Nearly every region of the United States and Canada has many within a relatively short drive. If you live in other parts of the world, search for the nearest location online. No doubt, you will be surprised by the many options available near you.
Once you have a resort or facility in mind, you need to investigate equipment. If you are a seasoned snowboarder, you probably have the boots, bindings and board to begin. But for a beginner, most resorts have everything you need available to rent. This allows you to try snowboarding to see if you enjoy it, without wasting money buying equipment you might use only once.
Also, make sure you have suitable clothing to wear on the slopes. While conditions may not seem too cold at first, falling into snow dozens of times—which will happen—can cause you to freeze. Dressing in layers is key!
In no time you will be navigating hills and experiencing the thrills of snowboarding—and quickly learn why it is one of the world’s fastest-growing winter sports.
A Stick of Wood
Like snowboarding, skiing, which involves using two skis and poles to propel down snow-covered hills, is extremely popular.
Skiing has historic roots older than nearly any winter sport. In fact, early drawings in Norway date to thousands of years ago, when skiing was used as a means to travel in deep snow. Ancient peoples placed sticks on their feet to traverse the snow in winter months because it allowed them to more easily slide across the snow’s surface. The word “ski” comes from an Old Norse word that means “a stick of wood.”
Skiing has come a long way from the ancient days of strapping sticks to one’s feet. Today’s equipment is much more advanced; with it you can “fly” down wintery mountains.
There is one aspect in which skiing exceeds snowboarding: speed! Like extremely narrow and long ice skates used by Olympic speed skaters, skis have a much smaller surface area than snowboards. Less contact with the snow means less friction—and more speed! You may have seen footage of a beginner skier barreling down a mountain, arms flailing until he tumbles or plows into a snow bank. (Lower speed is why some find it easier to learn how to snowboard than ski.)
When you begin to ski, you may want to spend extra time on the bunny slopes.
Like snowboarding, you can rent skiing equipment at the facility, and enjoy a fun-filled day!
Sliding Away!
The easiest and most available downhill winter activity is sledding. While not truly a sport, it is the easiest option for many. You can buy an inexpensive sled and ride it down hills of various sizes.
The “equipment” can vary widely! At the most basic level, you can sled down a hill with nothing but yourself! A good pair of snowpants makes for a workable sledding surface—especially if the hill is icy.
However, a slightly larger and smoother surface makes sledding faster and more fun. Nearly any smooth surface can be used, from plastic bags to GT Racers (racing sleds).
Sledding is also a great workout. Unlike skiing and snowboarding, there are no ski lifts to take you back to the top of the hill. That means trekking up the snow-covered hill, making your descent a greatly earned reward!
Sharing the Same Goal
There has long been rivalry between skiers and snowboarders; each frowns upon the other’s sport. When snowboarding began, it was restricted to the smaller hills in ski resorts. Over the years, however, snowboarding has grown into a world-renowned sport, and now is included in the Winter Olympics.
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Skiing and snowboarding (and sledding) share the same goal: to travel down a hill in the most exhilarating way. One should not see either sport as better than the other. Try all three! Broaden your horizons to learn new things.
No matter which activity you choose, your goal should always be to have fun and share time with friends and family.
Be Active!
Which winter sport or activity you choose is not really that important. What is most important is that you do something. So many teens today do little more than wiggle their fingers to the latest video game. A result is a generation of overweight youth!
Your health and fitness should reflect the standard of excellence God expects from all of His people. He created our bodies to be healthy and strong—not tired, weak and overweight.
Keep fit, be active—and enjoy the beauty of God’s Creation. Do you realize your Creator puts special emphasis on the winter, and snow in particular? Notice: “Have you entered into the treasures of the snow?” (Job 38:22).
So, strap on your boots, hit the hills, enjoy the beautiful season of winter—and enter the treasures of the snow!