An article of advice on what to use and where to go

Kate Larsen '01, Grier Potter '01 and Sasha Said '01

Apple pie, baseball, Mom . . .sledding. Sledding ought to be added to the list of great American traditions. What's more American than heedlessly flying down an icy slope with frozen fingers and numb toes, with the inevitable face-plant into a snow bank? America is the home of innovation; we have contributed some of the most influential inventions for the world's benefit. For example: the telephone, the automobile, the light bulb, and certainly, sledding. Sure, you may be saying, but doesn't it make more sense for sledding to have been invented by blondes in some Alps where they have year-round snow? Or perhaps Canada? But that's where you're wrong my friend. Only an American would be original enough and have the ingenuity to ponder: "Gee, would it be fun to slide down this very cold, steep and slippery slope?" The answer is, of course, a resounding "Yes!"

"You haven't fully experienced a Deerfield winter until you've sled down Eaglebrook hill on a dining hall tray", Mutzy Probyn '01 and Liz Tocci '01 explain to me with huge grins on their faces reminiscing of past winters. Living in a valley as we do we have every reason to take full advantage of the giant hills and mountains that surround us when the winter months provide their white blanket of soft sleddable snow.

There are really only two main places to sled at Deerfield, Eaglebrook hill and the dining hall slope. The more easily accessible and closer of the two locations would be the hill behind the dining hail next to the cemetery, which students are often found flying/falling down in the late hours of the weekend nights. Then there is the always popular Eaglebrook hill, otherwise known as the Rock which tends to give a little more speed, but takes a small trek to get to.

"The new ski slope at Eaglebrook is awesome for sledding; it's such a rush to slide down the mountain as if you were completely out of control," said Katie Fouer '04. If either Eaglebrook or the dining hall hills do not appeal to you, you can sled pretty much anywhere you want to, although we do urge you to use some judgement as to how dangerous your location may be. One thing is for certain, in the wake of a deadening winter, sledding is always a way to get the adrenaline pumping and kick that midwinter depression to the curb.

There are a variety of objects (including your bottom) one can chose from to use as a sledding vehicle. The most popular, but recently banned mode are the traditional and legendary Deerfield dining hall tray and its miniaturized cousin the Greer Store tray. For obvious reasons (i.e. we eat off these trays and they belong to the Dining Hall) the use of these modified saucer-like trays is no longer permitted. However, the students of Deerfield Academy are never without a solution! The senior class cleverly decided to sell sleds this winter. "Senior sleds" are thin plastic sheet sleds, which are light weight, easy to transport, and provide enough room for two people. Some students choose to bring sleds from home which are high tech and provide the fastest possible trip with the greatest possible maneuverability. Still others, at a loss of having any of these choices, but not willing to miss out on a night of fun will sled down a hill on their bare bums, wishing and hoping that they don't hit a rock or icy mass.

Most anything can be worn to sled in, but the most advisable thing to wear is something warm and water proof. Some like Marni Ajello '02 would contend that you can have just as much fun in a pea coat and dress pants as a person in a snow suit as she discovered last week, sledding down the Eaglebrook ski slope with her hockey team. You'll just be a little colder.

We can only say that the overwhelming majority agrees that no matter where, or on what, or what dressed in, sledding is the way to beat the winter blues. So, all and all, sledding is a worthwhile and enjoyable activity. If you live through the frostbitten fingers, icicles that form on your nose, numb toes, assorted bruises and scrapes, you will surely find yourself saying: "Gosh, I just love sledding."

Sledding according to Ben Buchanan

Ben Buchanan '02

Sledding, a time honored American pastime, is now growing in popularity at Deerfield. It is one of the few benefits of our seemingly endless winter, proving to be both safer and more fun than those treacherous snowball fights. Thousands of years ago, a drifting glacier carved out the great Pocumtuck Mountain Range, forming miles of perfect sledding terrain for the Deerfield community to enjoy.

Sleds are an inexpensive and fun way to relieve the stress of winter term. The models range from your basic roll up to a high-density plastic sled complete with turning capabilities. Sleds will run you about two to sixty bones, depending on your performance needs.

However, if you are too broke or lazy to get one, or you are not lucky enough to borrow one of Mr. Ginns' homemade beauties, you can always use a makeshift sled. Creativity and McGuyverness are essential in selecting a bootleg sled. A popular ride in the past has been the now-outlawed dining hall tray, but now students will have to think of new options.

For many a sledding guru, the ascent is just as enjoyable as the trip down. "I'm what you would call a 'free spirit climber'," commented Nick Falker '01, "I never use bottled air for my ascents, which was certainly a large factor in my unsuccessful attempt on the Rock, but I've been training hard for a second attempt at the grueling summit sometime next month. For me there's no better feeling than mounting my custom Sledmeister 2000 after over-coming an arduous incline."

But sledding is not the only winter activity popping up at Deerfield. Snowshoeing is another "totally rad" winter activity, according to Peter Lubans '02, "No longer just for Eskimos, snowshoeing is the slammin' winter sport!" The vast expanse of woodland in the Pocumtuck range provides prime territory for the avid snowshoe. Snow-shoeing, not only relaxing and fun, is also great exercise. A short trip on snowshoes is a complete workout that can be spiritually uplifting as well.

Whichever activity strikes your fancy, be sure to take advantage of our long, bitter winters. Turner Bailey '02 advised, "I've experimented, and spring sledding can't compete with the likes of winter sledding. I highly recommend getting out there while there's some snow."