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Downhill Snow Box Racing
If you get snow where you live, you can have so much fun in the winter. There’s so much you can do in the snow to enjoy yourself. Snowball fights, building snowmen, downhill snow box racing, sledding, and skiing are some of the things you can do to have fun.
Wait a minute, you say. What on earth is downhill snow box racing? Maybe you’ve been sledding before, so you know what it is. Just in case you live in an area that doesn’t get enough snow to enjoy, here’s the scoop.
First, you have to have a place to go sledding. A steep, snow-covered hill is great. Remember, if you can ride a regular sled down it, that hill should work for downhill snow box racing. After you have a place, visit retail stores to see if you can get large boxes to use for your box sleds.
Next, you need to decide whether you’re going to leave your box intact or break it down so it’s flat. Both ways will work just as well. Making the choice how to use your box depends upon whether or not you have someone pushing you as you head off the hill or if you’re going to run and jump onto the flat box. The choice is up to you.
After you’ve decided upon the configuration of your box, you’ll want to rub either bar soap or wax onto the bottom of the box. Ivory soap is thought to be the best soap for this application. It will give your box the waxy layer to slide down the hill.
As you’re going down the hill, you can pull one of the flaps up to cover your knees. This will help you control your box which is important to keep from going headlong down the hill. Since you’re planning to have a downhill snow box race, you don’t want to lose control.
Get together with friends on the day of the race. Gather at the top of the sledding hill and prepare your boxes. You may want to put a second layer of soap or wax on the bottom to ensure your box will slide.
Walk to the bottom of the hill to mark the finish line. Ask someone to stand down at the bottom of the hill to be a judge for who crosses the finish line first.
Push yourself, or have someone else push you, down the hill at the same time as your opponent. Have fun! This activity may be geared more toward children but adults have been known to enjoy it as well. When the races are over, make sure you get everyone indoors so they can warm up on the outside. You may also want to have hot chocolate to warm everyone up on the inside.
Downhill snow box racing may not be an Olympic sport. It may not even be something you’ve ever considered before. However, don’t let that stop you from having fun in the snow with your friends.
As always, safety first. If there are any trees even close to the hill, please wear a helmet. There have been many accidents that have caused serious head injuries and death.
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