Samuel Lee

As pillow-white snow blankets the ground, an array of winter sports become available. But, one simple and timeless sport stands out. From zipping across snowy hills filled with an unforgettable adrenaline rush to enjoying a cheap and accessible activity, sledding takes the crown as the all-time greatest winter sport. 

Taking a deeper dive into its history, the roots of sledding trace back thousands of years to when it was used for transportation. Back then, European explorers would use sleighs to travel through the Arctic. In colder Scandinavian countries, sleds were used quite commonly to transport all sorts of goods. However, sleds would become less important over time as better means of transportation developed. 

Sledding is a sport that can be both recreational and competitive. Unlike other snow-oriented sports such as skiing or snowboarding, you can join in this activity with little equipment, which keeps costs down. All you need is a sled and a snowy hill, bringing minimal work but maximum fun, and not an hours-long drive to a ski lodge. 

While it can’t be denied that the primary focus of sledding is the thrill of the ride, there is a surprisingly large amount of exercise that goes into sledding as well. After each descent down the hill, there is a climb that must be conquered. Through this strenuous journey, muscles are exerted and strained as you make your way up the slippery slope. This unintentional exercise adds a new dimension of health benefits to the already exciting activity. 

When taken to the next level, sledding can become something else entirely. From events like bobsledding to luge, sledding is an extreme Olympic sport that attracts athletes from all over the world. With steep fast slopes and complex maneuvers over mile-long tracks, competitive sledding is quite intense. 

Additionally, sledding isn’t just meant for its thrill – it can even be a social setting. Sledding is a place for cherished memories to be formed with friends and family. Of course, the experience isn’t even over once you’ve left the slope. You can’t forget the cozy indoor element of warming up with a hot chocolate alongside friends, and a warm fire to wrap up the day with. 

By this point, you might be thinking, “It’s not like DC gets that much snow. Why write an entire article about a sport we can’t even do?” Do not fear though, we’re actually in luck this winter! Unlike recent previous years, the forecast calls for quite a bit of snow, with about 16 to 22 inches expected! With cold air and storms predicted, 1,300 forecasts have speculated we’ll have the most snow DC has seen in over five years!

In the vast world of winter sports, sledding stands out as an accessible, purely fun, and timeless joy that makes it the ultimate winter sport. With that said, pull out your sleds, find a hill nearby, and get ready for an unparalleled frosty adventure!