Snowboarding, Anyone?
Winter fun on a downhill course

Depending on your reaction after reading the following statement, you're either a freeze baby or an adventure seeker. So, here we go: One look outside and it's obvious, it's time to go sledding or snowboarding.

Freezing temperatures and swirling winds aside, Northeast Ohio boasts plenty of friendly hills just waiting for you to fly down with youthful abandon. In fact, every weekend or snow day these locations are filled with adventure seekers looking to balance the increased wind chill with adrenaline pumping through their veins.

"We have 13 hills we call dedicated sledding or snowboarding areas," said Cleveland Metroparks Marketing and Public Relations Manager Bob Rotatori. "It's really sledding, but we know that snowboarding is quickly becoming popular. We also have three locations (Hinckley Reservation sledding hill off State Road, Mill Stream Run Reservation Pawpaw Picnic Area and North Chagrin Reservation Old River Farm Picnic Area) that have night lighting so you can use them when it gets dark."

Among the most popular Cleveland Metroparks hills are the Big Creek Reservation Memphis Picnic Area, the Hinckley Reservation Sledding Hill, the South Chagrin Reservation and North Chagrin Reservation Old River Farm Picnic Area. While in some ways it's a chicken-or-an-egg conversation; what role did the Metroparks play in designating the hills?

"A combination of things helped create designated hills," said Rotatori. "The designations emerged because people migrated to the hills and started to use them, but also because of the way that we've maintained it and moved some of the tree boundaries to make it a bit safer for people," he said. "That's how they have become the sledding areas. Also, several of the golf courses are available to use too, including the three West Side courses: Big Met Golf Course, Little Met Golf Course and Mastick Woods Golf Course."

Over the past decade, explained Rotatori, the use of snowboards has been evident around the Cleveland Metroparks hills. In fact, the park district made sure to create an inclusive environment where the sled and snowboard could co-exist.

"As people began using snowboards more frequently, we began incorporating snowboarding into some of the park literature, legitimizing it as a park activity," said Rotatori. "Really, we want to make sure everybody uses caution and the proper equipment. Also, dressing properly, being aware of your surroundings and who is around you, and just using common sense are all important. And, if you see somebody going down in front of you, make sure there is proper distance."

Rotatori believes that sled riding and snowboarding in the Cleveland Metroparks is a hidden gem of an activity, in which more people should partake.

"I think the winter is a wonderful time for people to realize all of the natural opportunities we have living here in Cleveland," said Rotatori. "This is especially true in the winter months. We try to preach that the parks are open year-round, and in the spring/summer/fall they're probably used more, but in the wintertime you can have just as much fun."

Free-lance writer John Benson spends most of his time writing for various papers throughout Northeast Ohio.

When he's not writing about music or entertainment, he can be found coaching his two boys in basketball, football and baseball or watching movies with his lovely wife, Maria. John also occasionally writes for CoolCleveland.com