Historically, sleds were first used by the indigenous peoples of North America. The original sled form was known as a toboggan. Toboggans were used by many tribes in Canada, to move heavy loads across country, including the Cree and Innu, as well as the Chippewa in the U.S. and Ojibwe or Ojibway in Canada.

Later, sleds were used to transport people, and at that time, the "runner sleds" appeared, keeping the person’s body off the ground.

Since snow is a seasonal feature in our area, not many actually have a sled stored in the garage or outbuilding. If you don’t have a sled, or an inner tube, don’t fret. The lack of a store-bought sled has never stopped Mountaineers from sledding. There are many ways to make an inexpensive temporary sledding device.

Over the years, "tubing" has almost overcome "sledding" as often inner tubes are more readily available. Ask your local tire shop about inner tubes. In some places, you can purchase huge inner tubes for less than $10. Some places, old tubes are free.

Plastic trash bags will work in the right kinds of snow as well. Another affordable and simple way to send yourself down a snow-covered hill is to tape duct tape to your backside. Adhere the tape in vertical strips to reduce friction. Although these methods will work, each poses a serious risk for getting pierced by sticks and rocks.

If you’d prefer to have something sturdier between your body and the ground, just look around the house. Plastic trash can lids and storage box lids work well, as do leftover plastic campaign signs. Even cardboard will slip and slide downhill, although it is difficult to steer.

If you want to have an even stronger sled, remove the wheel and handles from your wheelbarrow tub. Or, take the hood from the old junker in the back field.

Once the snow has fallen, it’s easy to spark a spontaneous sledding party to make a special day for your children, your family or your friends.

First, choose your sledding location. Call ahead to a state resort or park to see what it will cost and what equipment you can use, and then find a meeting place where you can gather together for the ride.

Or, choose a hill in your neighborhood. Make sure the hill that is chosen is spacious and away from anything dangerous like water, utility poles, and roads. For a fabulous party, a nearby bonfire is a must.

While you’re clearing ground and setting up your fire ring or fire pit, take a little extra time to pile snow in a long rectangle shape as high as you can get it. Toss a plastic table cloth over top it, and this snow table can be used as a serving space, or holding space for your first aid kit, flashlights, hats, mittens and bags.

People need a place to sit, even in the snow. Logs, crates and rocks will serve the purpose, but don’t forget about your plastic porch chairs or lawn chairs you packed away in the fall. A weekend of exposure to cold elements won’t ruin them. For added comfort, take a laundry basket full of quilts and blankets to the sled hill site. Even bundled around the fire, folks will still appreciate the coziness of a quilt.

In fact, it’s not a bad idea to also provide extra scarves, hats, mittens and gloves. Any child or friend who arrives without them will enjoy such a needed gift. If your loved one doesn’t have a scarf or hat, wouldn’t you have greater concern for their health and safety than for the loss of an extra hat from your home? The box of extras can also be used to collect the pieces inevitably left over following the sledding celebration.

Then call your friends and invite them over. Many you call will respond with, "but we don’t have a sled." Try to have some home made options available, or let them know where they can pick up an inner tube on their way to the sled hill.

For a special twist on s’mores, bring roasting forks and toast caramels instead. Squish them between two graham crackers, and you have a fabulous new treat.

To go all out and make the day’s food really special, hang a soup pot over a small fire or grill and ask your guests to bring something to add to the soup pot. Start the pot with your water, salt, pepper and choice of meat. Then the rest of the ingredients can arrive already diced and cut, get tossed in the pot, and stew over the fire to become a literal ‘pot luck’ meal while the sledders enjoy their activities. The soup can be served in mugs at dusk, with crackers or bagels.

If you want to offer party favors, make a quick run to the corner store for a collection of chap stick. Your guests will be grateful.

According to the National Safety Council, an estimated number of injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms every year include about 33,000 sledding injuries and 1,500 toboggan injuries. Sledding injuries often include facial lacerations or skull fractures. Tobogganing injuries almost always involve the lower half of the body.

Children ages 5 to 9 are most susceptible to injury. Make sure to supervise the kids well so they are not sledding head first, that there are no collisions by the kids keeping a safe distance from one another while sledding, and walking back up the hill on the side rather than the middle where kids are sure to be sledding. Consider bicycle helmets for younger children.

Make sure arms, legs, and loose bits of clothing are tucked in. Scarves and clothes with drawstrings aren't safe as these can get tangled or stuck on obstacles on the way down.

Sled on spacious, gently sloping hills which have a level run-off at the end so that the sled can come to a halt safely. Check slopes for bare spots, holes and other obstructions, and look out for anything that could puncture any sled device that might be in use. Sledding head-first down hill significantly increases chances of a serious injury.

Watch for symptoms of cold weather illnesses such as hypothermia and frostbite. The air temperature doesn’t have to be below freezing for someone to experience hypothermia and frostbite. Wind speeds can create dangerously cold conditions even when the temperature is not that low.

Symptoms of hypothermia include confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Warning signs of frostbite include gray, white or yellow skin discoloration. Both are serious, so if any of these conditions are present, seek medical attention immediately.

Sledding can be fun and affordable for the whole family. With a little effort an ingenuity, a winter snowfall can be the excuse for creating special memories.