Rules to play Snow Sledding

1. When youre a kid, are there any two sweeter words in the English language than snow day (pizza time and sleepover party notwithstanding) Children are right to be psyched The hit of sunlight reflecting off the snow can boost their vitamin D levels, and research suggests that playing outdoors in nature may ease symptoms of ADHD. Plus, that snowman isnt going to build himself. Let them have their day in the snow safely with these mom tested tips. .....

Layer Up

2. When it comes to winter play, layering is tricky Too many layers and theyll overheat; too few and theyll freeze their tushes off. According to Catherine OBrien, a research physiologist with the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, the key to keeping kids dry is conserving heat while still letting steam escape.How to do that? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends dressing young children in one more layer of clothing than .....

Protect Little Hands

3. Its easy for fingers and toes to grow downright icy as your little ones body strains to conserve energy for his core, giving extremities the shivery shaft. Mittens will keep hands toastier than gloves, and they can still effectively scoop snowballs and build forts. Look for a quality mitten or glove that offers insulation as well as waterproof protection from wet, melting snow, experts say. For even more protection, choose handwear that extends u .....

Dress to Be Noticed

4. Be sure your kids are clad in bright colors and or reflective materials before they head out in the snow Research out of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh found pedestrians are three times more likely to be struck and killed by cars in the weeks after the fall time change, as drivers and walkers struggle to adapt to the changing light. Similarly, slippery roads and glaring snow or midwinter gloom can cause driving problems too. Choose brig .....

Protect Their Skin

5. Just because youve packed their swim trunks away doesnt mean kids are safe from sun damage. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, snow reflects 80 percent of UV rays. When those rays hit exposed, unprotected skin, they can cause a bad burn. Worsening matters, UV radiation exposure increases along with altitudes, making sunblock even more of a must for pint sized skiers and snowboarders.The best way to protect young skin? Slather on wa .....

Dash Through the Snow

6. Sure, you hurtled yourself down snowy hills on lunchroom cafeteria trays, but your kids? Over your dead body! Smart move According to a 2010 study in Pediatrics, more than 20,000 youngsters under the age of 19 wind up in the ER every year with sledding related injuries, most often to the head. (Children ages 10 to 14 years sustained the most damage; 60 percent of ER cases were boys.) But todays sledding wannabes dont have to be left out in the co .....

Check Sports Equipment

7. If youve had to take your kids shoe shopping in the past year, chances are theyll need bigger hockey skates or ski boots, too, says Holly Benjamin, M.D., a pediatric sports medicine specialist at the University of Chicago. A proper fit decreases injury risk, she says. Too small footgear can be overly constricting, while oversized equipment can leave them wobbly and prone to falls, as well as let snow sneak in, speeding heat loss. Have your childs .....

Give Frostbite the Cold Shoulder

8. Despite the cutesy name, frostbite is serious business The water in our bodies literally freezes, Dr. Benjamin says. The most common physical symptom is a blister, but by that time its too late to prevent damage. Tell your child that if she notices any pain, decreased sensation, tingling, or numbness, she should head inside immediately, where you should run warm but not hot water over the affected body part. As for frostbite prevention, Dr. Benja .....

Wet Their Appetites

9. Its extra hard for kids and adults to gauge their hydration needs in the winter months. In fact, a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows that cold temperatures actually alter thirst sensation. We lose an appreciable amount of water while breathing outdoors in the chilly air, drying us out even more. But just because your snow man isnt soaked in sweat doesnt mean he doesnt need to rehydrate. Keep giving him water through .....

Avoid Danger Zones

10. Every year, we hear reports of a child attempting to re create the famous A Christmas Story scene where Ralphies friend Flick licks a frozen flagpole. Assure your daredevil that any such attempts will be met with similarly painful results. The minute you put wet skin even your finger on a frozen object, you can do some pretty significant damage, ripping off skin, notes Dr. Benjamin.Allow ice skating on approved surfaces only (call your local poli .....

Take a Breather

11. Kids loving see their breath in the air, but for asthmatics, simply taking a breath in subzero temps can be challenging. Thats because cold, dry air is a risk factor for asthmatics, more likely to provoke the condition than warm, moist air. Just as the cold dries and chaps your hands, it can also be drying to the lungs, causing tightening of the bronchial muscles, says Amy Burack, R.N., community asthma programs manager for Childrens Hospital Bos .....

Dress for Success

12. Since sledding involves playing in the snow outdoors during wintertime, chances are its going to be cold. Frostbite and even hypothermia are potential dangers. So is hitting your head. Be sure to wear the proper clothing to stay warm and safe.Wear sensible winter clothing hats, gloves or mittens, snow pants, winter jacket, snow boots that is waterproof and warm, and change into something dry if your clothes get wet. Avoid wearing scarves or a .....

Choose the Right Hill

13. When hills get coated with snow, they may all look like great locations for sledding. But not all hills are safe. Choose yours carefully. Here are a few guidelines to followSelect a hill that is not too steep and has a long flat area at the bottom for you to glide to a stop.Avoid hillsides that end near a street or parking lot.Avoid hillsides that end near ponds, trees, fences or other hazards.Make sure the hill is free of obstacles such as jumps .....

Get the Right Kind of Sled

14. The best sleds can be steered by their riders and have brakes to slow them down. Avoid sleds that cant be steered, such as tubes, saucers, or toboggans, and never use a sled substitute like a lunch tray or cardboard box. Good sleds are relatively cheap to buy and are well worth the extra money. .....

Restrictions

16. Children must be at least 36 inches tall to tube. One person, one tube, no exceptions. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Each participant must be seated in the tube at all times. Tubing on your stomach or any other position is strictly prohibited and will result in expulsion from the Tubing Park. .....

Tubing Tips

17. Temperature, wind, and precipitation affect the speed of snow tubing. Younger and or more timid tubers may prefer our mid day session when track conditions are more moderate. .....

Please Know

18. Snowmaking may be in progress as temperatures permit. Hard shell or ski boots are not permitted in the Tube Park. Weather and track conditions permitting, we allow chaining of tubes at our discretion. .....

Tubing Warning

19. Please see the Winter Sports Safety Act. All guests participating in Snowtubing must agree to the following statement upon issuance of their tubing ticketSnowtubing involves risks and dangers. I understand that lane conditions vary constantly and that there are risks of high speed, collisions in and beyond the lane, leaving the lane and slipping and falling. I agree to tube only in my designated lane and only when released by an attendant. I und .....

The Origins of Snow Tubing

20. Snow tubing is rumored to have originated back in the 1820s in the Alpine Mountains. And what do you think made the people of the 1820s want to slide down a slope covered in snow. Its fun! And it still is because the basics of this winter activity are why it remains such a great winter activity for all to this day. That being family friendly fun in the mountains. And Keystone Resorts Snow Tubing at Adventure Point has all three. .....

Snow Tubing Improved

21. Perched at the top of Keystone Resort is Adventure Point, a massive tubing hill that is designed to be fun for all ages. Its just like when you were a kid, only a much bigger hill with its own tubing lift, which you can enjoy both during the day and under the lights at night. With a unique state of the art conveyor lift, the amount of rides is up to you! So if you want to get the most of your time there, pack a lunch and bring all of your friends .....

Dressing For Fun and Function

22. Now that weve covered the finer details, lets talk about attire. Like spending any afternoon outside on the slopes, it is important to protect yourself from the elements. At the most basic level were talking boots, snow pants, snow jacket, and a beanie. If you want to play it safe, bring all of the above plus some warm socks, a solid base layer, and some goggles to protect your eyes. If you come prepared, you are setting yourself up for a really .....

See You At the Top

23. Come experience Snow Tubing at Adventure Point at the top of Keystone Resort where you can slip and slide down our tubing lanes with friends and family. Get ready to laugh until it hurts in this must do experience for all ages. Reservations required. .....

Cancellation Policy

24. If you book a reservation in advance, a $10 per person deposit will be required and you must cancel by 5pm on the day before your reservation in order to avoid a $10 per person cancellation fee. .....

Warning

25. Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, including changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions bare spots; rocks; stumps; trees; collisions with natural objects, man made objects, or other skiers; v .....