Destination: Rosy Cheeks

Quick! Name a winter sport that requires no real skill, practice, or fancy footwork. It’s not skiing or skating, it’s tobogganing.

It’s one of those winter activities that everyone can enjoy, from Dad right on down to tweens and wee ones. How about inviting friends with same-aged children and making it an outdoor play date? Or make this winter the year you go beyond your backyard and that little bump in your neighbourhood park?

Little known fact: the City of Ottawa maintains a very good listing of toboggan hills on their website, ready and waiting to be discovered. Use it as your starting point to find a new hill. The site even offers info on the pitch of the slope, lighting, obstructions, and whether there’s parking or facilities nearby.

One of our own favourite destinations is Walter Baker Park in Kanata. This man-made hill provides a satisfyingly long run, with no obstructions, and a gradual, easy(ish) climb up the sides. This short YouTube video perfectly encapsulates, size, scope, and speed of the hill.

In the Westboro area, we’re fans of the little hill at Westboro Park. It’s a shorter run (perfect for kids age 5 to 11) and there’s a great view. The facilities are closed during the winter, so pack snacks! In the East end, Green Creek Park is a popular destination. The hill is maintained by the City and there is year-round parking.

Other great ‘destination’ tobogganing hills include Mooney’s Bay Park and Bruce Pit.

If you do try out a steep run (say with a semi-frozen creek at the end), accompany your kids down the hill until they’re old enough to learn how to put the brakes on themselves, or perform emergency exit manoeuvres (aka rolling off a moving sled).

Keep an eye on conditions, walk the hill beforehand and wear a helmet. According to the Canadian Hospital’s Injury Reporting Prevention Program, children between the ages of 5 and 9 account for 40% of all sledding related injuries in Canada. Over 20% of these injuries involve concussions, internal injuries or broken bones, most of which are caused by colliding with an object (like trees, rocks, and signs) or from being thrown from the sled.

Now go find your helmet, and make a point to see some rosy cheeks this weekend!

Comments