The Dangerous Reason So Many Sledders Die In The Nevada Mountains

Although Nevada may not be the first place you think of for sledding, it's actually a popular winter pastime in the state. In fact, Nevada is also home to several ski resorts perfect for beginners. As soon as the snow starts falling, many people get excited to head out to the hills with their sleds or snow tubes for some winter fun. But some areas in Nevada are particularly dangerous for sledding and should be avoided.

Nevada's Mt. Charleston is a popular winter destination, but several people have died sledding in this area in the last several years. Most of the slopes are too steep and littered with trees, meaning it's more likely a sledder might crash into something at a high speed and be injured or even killed. According to the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Foxtail Picnic Area is the best place around here to go sledding safely.

Even in some areas where measures have been taken to stop dangerous sledding, there are still hazards. In 2013, a young girl died sledding on Mt. Charleston after hitting a fence blocking off an area where sledding is prohibited. So it's essential to use caution no matter where you are sledding by avoiding really steep slopes and being aware of your surroundings.

Your best bet for safe sledding in Nevada is to stick with officially designated sledding areas. Some recommended areas to check out include Galena Creek Regional Park in Reno or Tahoe Meadows and Spooner Summit (which have designated Snow Play areas) at Lake Tahoe (here are some tips for planning a trip to Lake Tahoe). Wherever you plan to sled, be sure to check online that sledding is permitted, and always make sure weather conditions are good.

Before you go sledding anywhere, you should consider wearing a helmet, like this OutdoorMaster Kelvin ski helmet, as well as gloves and boots for extra protection. While you may see people doing it, it's not safe to sled headfirst, so lie down on the sled feet first for the safest experience. Check out the terrain ahead of time, and stick to open areas where you can see far in the distance — make sure there aren't any trees, rocks, poles, or anything else you might run into. Also, a traditional saucer sled won't let you steer out of harm's way, so avid sledders may want to invest in a sled with steering capabilities, like this Yukon Charlie's Hammerhead Pro HD sled.

Sledding can be a fun family time during the winter if you take extra precautions and plan ahead. For anyone looking to branch out, be sure to read our picks for the best spots to snow tube in America, according to traveler reviews.