SLIPPERY SLOPE

MAT-SU — As the snow continues to fall get out your sleds and hit the hills.

A good spot for thrill seekers is Crevasse Moraine off of Loma Prieta Drive. Maintained by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the park features two hills for people wanting to sled.

The first is a gentler slope that outdoor recreational specialist Warren Templin of the Mat-Su Borough suggests is appropriate for younger kids.

“Of the two hills the first one you go by is for beginners and the little guys as it is not as steep as the big one,” he said.

The second of the two is a tall, steep hill that has a good run-out area for slowing down off the hill. This hill is for people who want to really get going fast, he said.

Both hills are maintained on an almost daily basis, said Templin. ”Yeah we are out there quite a bit chopping up the jumps the kids make on the big hill. It is really a nice hill that the ROTC helped us make out there.”

In addition to removing the jumps made, the Borough flattens and compacts the snow on both hills to improve the sledding experience. This allows for a smoother and more controllable ride.

Templin says that everyone should read and adhere to the rules posted for sleds at Crevasse Moraine to avoid accidents and injuries.

“A good standard rule is if you are on something, be able to control it,” he said. “And be wary of sleds with metal runners as they can cut you.”

He suggests plastic sleds, as most of the ones sold have good padding and can be controlled very well.

In addition to Crevasse Moraine, there are two other hills the Borough maintains. The first is located at Mile 10.6 of Hatcher Pass road and the other is in Talkeetna. Both are excellent, Templin said.

The conditions of all the hills maintained can be found on the Mat-Su website at www.matsugov.us, then click “Quick Access” and find trail conditions.

Templin suggests for those not using borough-maintained hills is to keep a lookout when sledding and avoid hills where the run-out area will place you in a street or driveway.