WINTER WARRIORS
Take a look at some of the city’s most devoted sledders and their ride of choice,
Hard to handle
With her mittened hands wrapped tightly around the handle of her red rocket sled, Amelie Hansen could be seen blasting her way down the hill. Not scared of a little speed, the 6-year-old stuck her tongue out to catch scattered snowflakes as she flew across the snowy hill.
The spinner
Evangeline Shannon has one goal when it comes to tobogganing — spinning out. “I like this sled because when you go down it spins in circles,” she said of her flying saucer. The 6-year-old whirled her way down the hill like a tornado, shouting at friends to get out of the way. After the circles stopped she’d stand and try to sprint back to the top but usually ended up collapsing in a fit of dizzy giggles.
The downhill daredevil
While most kids would cry after a wipeout, Evan Litwack, 3, just giggles with glee. His blue onesie provided plenty of padding for when he and his nanny, Irene Velasco, slipped off their sled. After rolling down the slope in a puffy ball of snow, sled and ski jackets, the pair had to stop and laugh.
Two if by sleigh
As they clambered aboard their blue, plastic sled, Carter Murray, 2, and Juliette Gardner, 7, could barely contain their excitement. Thursday was the first day they were able to go out sledding this year, and they were determined to make the most of it. The partners in play held each other tight as they tore down the hill on their trusty sled, shrieking with joy.
Riding in style
Quinn Roberts has this whole tobogganing thing figured out. The 3-yearold’s shiny red sled came with a bright yellow hand brake, but it wasn’t used much. The fearless toddler spent the afternoon flying down the snow-covered hill at top speed before having her mom haul her back to the top again.
Going goggle-eyed
Ara Castillo, 8, takes sledding and safety seriously. He dons a helmet and set of goggles before every run because he likes to go as fast as possible. The blue “magic carpet” he uses is built for speed, and while it may not provide much cushion from the ground, what it lacks in comfort it makes up for in acceleration.
A cosy cuddle
Maude Killoran, Payton Gerbacki and Juliette Gardner took a quick break to share a laugh after spending hours running up and then riding down the hill at Riverdale Park. The three friends collapsed in a friendly dog pile after a fit of giggles overtook them, but they were soon back at it, eager to make the most of their frozen fun.
Old faithful
While most kids zip down the hill on sleds made of space-aged materials, one group of boys opted for a method tried and true — the wooden toboggan. What it lacks in esthetics it makes up for in fun, because the wooden wonder can be filled with up to four friends.