Be prepared for days at home when the temps are c-c-c-old and the kids want to go out in the white stuff. Post a few “rules” for them and go over it together. Go with them or be sure one of your friends or neighbors will be there, too. Of course, it’s ALWAYS more fun if Mom and Dad go!
Snow Day Rules
- Use bathroom before you dress for the cold
- Dress in three layers on chest before coat
- Wear wool socks
- Wear waterproof outer layer/gloves/hat
- Stay together
- No walking on ponds that look frozen
- No building snow structures unless in your own yard and with supervision
- No sledding on ice
Beginner Sledding
- Use your own backyard to teach kids about sleds
- Pull little ones around on a saucer, working up to a sled
- Find a gentle slope and give it a whirl
Sledding Spots
The options may be all over your neighborhood, but make sure hills are:
- Not too steep
- Not private property
- Flat at bottom for safe gliding/stopping
- Rock-free
- Not near a street, parking lot, fence or other obstructions
Top Sled Hills*
*Supervision required!
- Hills in your own neighborhood
- Capitol Hill, Downtown Nashville
- Ashwood Avenue in Hillsboro Village
- Cedar Hill Park, Madison
- Shelby Park, East Nashville
- “Rollercoaster Hill” between Brook Hollow & Hickory Valley Roads, Bellevue
- Warner Park near Steeplechase, Nashville
- Fannie Mae Dees Park, Nashville (if open due to construction)
- Sevier Park, Nashville
- MTSU entrance on Rutherford Boulevard.,Murfreesboro
- Off I-840 at Almaville Road exit, Murfreesboro
Hot Cocoa Twist
Don’t stick to the standard mix, add a little twist to your hot cocoa with these ideas:
- Instead of cocoa powder, consider using chocolate chips (white or regular).
- Add flavor by tossing in a peppermint stick while it’s heating up.
- Use heavy whipping cream for added thickness.
- Top with whipped cream and add peppermint sprinkles on top.
- Use different flavored marshmallows.
- Put it all in a crock pot and keep warm.
SNOW DAY TIPS
These handy tips will keep the wet snow gear in check and everyone happy:
- Leave towels in the dryer on low for a quick warm up when the kids come inside.
- By the door, have a bucket for boots and a basket for house shoes for a quick change.
- Have a coat rack or something to hang their scarves and coats on.
- Lay a towel down on a flat surface for hats and gloves to dry.
- If you can, have them take it all off right in front of the dryer. Dry on low heat so you don’t melt anything.
- If everything is really wet … throw it all in the washer for a quick spin.
- Or, just have them put everything in the tub and you’ll get to it when you can … and that’s OK.
WHERE THE SOUTHERNERS SKI
You don’t have to wipe out your savings for a trip to Breckenridge, Colo.! Check out the southern slopes!
APPALACHIAN SKI MOUNTAIN
appskimtn.com
940 Ski Mountain Road
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Ski & Stay packages with vacation homes or slope-side lodging; ski lodge; free terrain for skiing and snowboarding; ice skating; kids’ programs and more.
BEECH MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT
beechmountainresort.com
1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy.
Beech Mountain, NC 28604
Freestyle terrain for skiing and snowboarding, tubing, Alpine Village, 5,506’ Sky Bar, Beech Mountain Brewing Co. View current conditions on the webcam.
OBER GATLINBURG
obergatlinburg.com
1001 Parkway, Ste. 2
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice skating, shopping, dining. Lodging nearby. Ober was not affected by the wildfires and is open for business!
SUGAR MOUNTAIN RESORT
skisugar.com
1009 Sugar Mountain Drive
Sugar Mountain, NC 28604
Skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating. Lodging nearby.