The house where I grew up had a deep backyard bordered by woods.  It was great to play back there all year long, but especially on snowy days.  If we wanted to go sledding, all we had to do was trek out back and work our way up to the top of the steep hill.  snowboard

My sister, brother and I spent many winter hours back there with our sleds.  There was a great path between the trees, which came to an abrupt dead end with a tree at the bottom.  You had to keep control of the sled as you went down the curvy hill so you could turn onto another path and avoid that tree.  Naturally, they never let me forget the time we went sledding after an ice storm.  There was snow on the ground with ice on top of it and the path was really slippery.  I came down the hill headfirst, and smacked into that tree at the end of the path.  There was never a chance for me to turn that sled--I was going way too fast.

Later this week we'll all get together at our parents' new home, and there's plenty of snow for the kids to play.  Maybe someone will bring a "flying saucer" or a snowboard, or maybe there will just be a huge snowball fight.  No matter what the kids wind up doing, my siblings won't miss their chance to tease me about the time I steered the sled right into that big tree.

No wonder I like to watch the Luge event during the Winter Olympics.  Those guys go down the track feet first.

COUPON TIME

Look no further if you're planning to outfit someone for skiing, snowboarding or any other winter sport!

15% off your order at The Sports Authority
Eligible items will have the following note on their product page: "Ultimate Coupons - 15% OFF Your Entire Order"
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Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET

$5 off web orders of $50 or more at Sierra Trading Post
Use this link to activate the coupon. Discount will be reflected in your shopping cart. (You should see a note saying "Your $5 off discount has been taken off your order!") Do not enter a keycode during checkout. Valid through: January 6, 2009
Valid online only. Not valid on previous orders. Cannot be combined with other offers.

$10 off a purchase of $50 or more at Eastbay.com
Use this link to activate the Promo Code. You should see LKS18CM5 in the Source Code box during checkout.
Valid through: January 5, 2009 11:59pm CT

15% off 1 item at DunhamsSports.com
Eligible items will have the following note on their product page: "Take 15% Off!**"
Valid online only. Use this link to activate the coupon code.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET

$10 off an order of $50 or more at FootLocker.com
Use promo code/source code CPSP83BC or AFCGEICO during checkout. Valid through: December 31, 2008 11:59pm CT

20% off One item at Modells.com
Eligible items will have the following note on their product page: "Take 20% Off One Item!" Valid online only. Use this link to activate the coupon or use Promotion/Discount code MODWINTER20 at checkout.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET

$5 off an order of $50 or more online at Camping World
Use coupon code 3333.
Valid through: December 28, 2008
Valid online only. Not valid on previous purchases.