Go Sledding

The need for speed: Young sledders rocket through Rock Creek Park. (Photos Nate Lankford For The Washington Post)

Last week's flurries may have reminded you of the giddy childhood thrills that come from flinging yourself down a snowy slope. When I was growing up, I considered our local "Suicide Hill" the fiercest one going. So I was more than a little, er, crestfallen when I heard someone else refer to their favorite sledding spot by the same name. Surely, it couldn't be as treacherous, as fearsome, as awe-inspiring as mine. Did it have a rusty fence at its base? Could it dole out bloody lips and bruised bottoms the way ours did? Did it offer that added thrill of being so narrow that you risked being mowed down as you stood at the bottom adjusting your layers or fumbling for your hat? Every neighborhood couldn't have its own Suicide Hill?

Actually, many do, and the reason is simple: Sledding is a fun, free way to while away a wintry day. Plus, dragging your keister back up the incline is pretty good exercise -- which means you can glide right on by the gym without feeling too guilty.

What to Expect: While avid downhillers may scoff at what passes for steep in the District, there's no shortage of respectable slopes -- even downright fearsome hills, if you ask a 9-year-old -- where young and old can test their mettle. There isn't much in the way of formal etiquette, which means schoolyard rules apply. Lines may form for the most fun runs, but don't be surprised about a little elbowing, a touch of whining and rampant runny noses, especially among the primary-school set. Watch out if you let the kid inside you run too wild: While it might seem like a fun idea at the time, hurling snowballs at other sledders as they whiz by is likely to win you a face full of the icy stuff on your next descent.

What to Bring: The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends that children wear helmets and use a sled with some sort of steering mechanism. (Retailers offer a range of options, from small plastic discs to fancy jobs complete with seats and steering wheels.) Of course, sledders are a spontaneous, improvisation-prone bunch, so cardboard boxes, cafeteria trays, trash can lids and even mattresses are sometimes pressed into service. As for attire, you can probably outfit yourself just fine with what's already in your closet, says Mark Nelson, special events specialist for REI in Baileys Crossroads. Dress in layers and avoid cotton (which can give you the chills when wet), especially for the layer closest to your skin. Warm hats, gloves, waterproof footwear and sunscreen are also a must.

Cost: Slopes are free; sleds range from $9 discs to $260 for a high-end board.

-- Christina Antoniades

Where to Reach Your Peak

Battery Kemble Park. Chain Bridge Road NW. When it snows, the hordes head to this little knoll, lovingly nicknamed "BK" by those in the know. The brave start at the top of the A-shaped hill, while others begin at a flat-ish area in the middle. Arrive early; BK fills up not long after the flurries start flying.

Lake Fairfax Park. 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston. The Western-themed water park and concession stands may be closed for winter, but there's still a respectable hill for the tackling, as well as a playground, an 18-acre lake, nature trails, restrooms and drink machines.

Mason District Park. 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale. A nice place year-round, this spot packs them in when the snow falls. In addition to its hill (better known, oddly enough, as "The Meadow"), you'll find ample parking, restrooms and vending machines. Plan on being home in time for dinner: Rangers shoo away sledders when it gets dark.

Rock Creek Park. Below the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Calvert Street NW. With a thrilling initial drop, followed by a long, steep slope, this hill offers some of the finest sledding in town.

Takoma Park Middle School. 7611 Piney Branch Rd., Silver Spring. The school's Lee Jordan Athletic Field includes a nicely kept, terraced slope that draws local families in droves. There's plenty of parking and only a few tiny trees to steer clear of.

Know of a great outdoors opportunity in your area? E-mail getout@washpost.com. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number.