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The Thrill of the Hill
The Thrill of the Hill
by Victoria Rossatti
December has arrived! The streets are filled with snow, people are decorating their houses with lights and don’t even start on the Christmas music. The chilly weather is perfect to stay inside and drink some hot chocolate, but after this tough year, I’m sure many people will want to enjoy winter outdoors as well. One great activity for this season is tobogganing! It’s not only thrilling, but it’s also free and it requires no skill at all. It’s easy and super fun at the same time. In this article, I’m going to give you some suggestions for sleds, hills for teens in Ottawa, and safety precautions. But first, I’m going to tell you a bit about the history of tobogganing in Canada.
Like many things, toboggans were first used by Indigenous people. Theirs were hand-made out of either larch or birch wood. They built them long and thin so that they could travel on snowshoe paths, and along the sides were special paintings to attract helpful spirits on their journeys. They used it for travelling and transporting goods during the winter.
When the Europeans arrived, they adapted the sleds for their own transport and started to use them for recreation too. From then on, people have been tobogganing all over Canada, whether for fun or as a sport.
Click the Pic to learn more about the history of the toboggan.
If you want to toboggan as a leisure activity, then you should probably get yourself a good sled for a better experience. Consider these options that I've chosen from this list of 13 Best Sleds and Snow Tubes to Keep the Fun Going All Winter Long. Click each picture for more information.
For simple, easy hills with friends, the Slippery Racer Downhill Xtreme Winter Toboggan Snow Sled is perfect, for it accommodates 2-3 people and has a rope.
A more comfortable one is the Flexible Flyer Snow Twist 2-Person Inflatable Tube, and it can also be used in the summer on water.
The Slippery Racer Downhill Pro Saucer Disc Snow Sled is more simple, and only for one person but it’s quite fast, has secure handles, and can endure many winter conditions.
Now if you’re planning on going on a serious hill, I highly recommend the Flexible Flyer PT Blaster Steering Ski Sled with Brakes. It’s extra safe for slopes with trees, has a cushioned seat and a place for you to put your feet.
Now that you have chosen your toboggan, it’s time to pick a hill! The top three hills in Ottawa are Green's Creek, Conroy Pit, and Carlington Park.
Green's Creek is located in Orleans. It is very large and has multiple level slopes which are well maintained. It is well lit in the evening, with outhouses for the public and there are parking lots available.
Conroy Pit is in Pine Grove Forest in the south end of Ottawa. It also has outhouses and parking lots, and is lit from 4:00 -11:00 p.m.
Carlington Park is on Carling Avenue behind the huge Canadian Tire. It has a really large hill for kids of all ages, but it’s unlit at night. There is a parking lot in J.A. Dulude Arena available.
Those three are the biggest, but here are a couple more good options:
If you’re in Kanata, Walter Baker Park has a great hill with long, medium slopes. It’s lit in the evenings and you can park at the Kanata Recreation Center beside it.
Another great hill is at Mooney’s Bay Park on Riverside Drive. The slope has a small variety of levels, but it is large and there is a parking lot nearby at Terry Fox Athletic Facility. However, it is not lit at night.
Of course, like most things these days, there are safety precautions you should follow when tobogganing:
1) It is highly recommended that you wear protective headgear in case you fall off your toboggan and well, hit your head.
2) Once you reach the bottom, quickly move over to the side so that no one knocks you over on their sled at full speed. It’s better for everyone if no one gets injured.
3) Your sled should have secure handles and smooth edges.
4) Make sure you sit or kneel on your sled, because laying down can cause serious injury to your spine, head or stomach.
5) Avoid over crowded hills (especially because of covid now), because there is a higher risk of getting hurt when there are too many people. That is not an excuse to go on a closed hill, however, especially at night, when it’s unlit.
Before reading this, did you know toboggans originated from the First Nation people? Well, now you do, and I hope you all get yourselves some sleds and go tobogganing this winter!
I also hope this article was useful, and that you use this knowledge to help you pick out the perfect sled and hill for you. And don’t forget the safety precautions!
Have a great holiday season everyone, cheers!
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