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Bundled for fun
The snow-inclined have plenty of places to frolic in Washington
By GREG JOHNSTON 
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
Enjoying the marvelous crystalline qualities of snow in vast quantities does not require that boards be strapped to skilled feet and that the brain be crammed with a wealth of knowledge of winter wilderness.
You need not rev up a snow machine, nor must you mush huskies.
All that is required to have fun in the snow is a plastic saucer or an inner tube, as any kid can tell you, or a borrowed pair of snowshoes.
If you tuck under your stocking cap a measure of good sense, you can find plenty of safe places for snow play in Washington, both on public lands and at commercial snow-play areas at ski resorts. Those who enjoy slower-paced thrills and chills might try a guided snowshoe walk led by Forest Service or Park Service naturalists.
"It can be a magical event," says John Madden, a Mount Rainier National Park ranger who helps supervise the guided snowshoe walks offered at the Paradise visitor center.
"We tell people about winter ecology, the effect of winter on the plants and animals, and our effect on those resources. For most people, it's an introduction to winter in the Paradise area. Typically, they're astounded at the depths of snow we receive."
Seasoned sliders often make a day of their sledding trips.
"They come packing the goods," says Gwyn Howat, marketing director for the Mount Baker ski area, which is near a popular sledding hill on national forest land. "They've got it all: hot chocolate, tailgate parties. They're soaked and look cold as heck, but they've got huge smiles on their faces."
Lake Wenatchee State Park crews groom a sledding hill, and ranger Duane Bolser says families often use the nearby fire pits and picnic shelters.
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At the same time, casual winter recreationists are sometimes inadequately prepared for conditions in the mountains, and without caution, sledding can be downright dangerous.
During a heavy Western Washington snowfall in 1998, for example, 25 children were treated at Seattle hospitals after being injured while sledding -- five fatally. After analyzing the cases, doctors from Harborview Medical Center and Children's Hospital issued a recommendation that parents not allow sledding on any street, any time.
The doctors determined that streets present too many solid objects -- parked cars, hydrants, curbs, nearby trees -- for safe sledding.
"Sledding should not be done anywhere there is vehicle traffic," says Doug Jenkins, naturalist and information specialist for the Wenatchee National Forests' Naches Ranger District, which hosts several state sno-parks where people slide.
"You need to find a nice hill that is open through the trees and has a good run-out so you can stop."
Jenkins advises sledders to check the area first for any obstructions, such as exposed boulders, and make sure slopes above are not long and open and prone to avalanches. He urges sliders to use gentle slopes and avoid steeper ones.
Most supervised snow-play areas do not allow wooden and metal sleds or wooden toboggans, but usually permit inner tubes or plastic saucers.
Plastic saucers might be the safest, since they present no hard edges and ride close enough to the snow's surface to allow legs and arms to be used for some control.
Another risk is hypothermia, the loss of body heat, which kills people every year. Dress warmly in synthetic or wool fabrics, avoiding cotton since it robs the body of heat when wet.
Ski gloves and insulated pack boots will keep your hands and feet warm. It's a good idea to bring a change of clothes, because you're likely to get wet. If you or your kids start to shiver uncontrollably, it is time to warm up, since that is an early symptom of hypothermia.
Finally, be prepared for winter driving conditions. Carry chains, a first-aid kit, extra food and water, jumper cables and a blanket or two.
The following list provides a variety of areas, from commercial operations at ski areas to unsupervised spots. Many are at state sno-parks, which are parking areas cleared of snow regularly and which also offer groomed trails for cross-country skiing and/or snowmobiling. The fee is $7 per day, or $20 annually.
The permits are available at many ranger stations, ski stores and stores in winter recreation areas. To find the location nearest you, call the state Parks and Recreation Commission free information line, 800-233-0321.
See also: Playgrounds for snow sports around Washington
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