Sled choices have come a long way since the days of wooden-runner sleds and flat-bottomed toboggans, paving the road for snow toys made of plastic and inflatable materials. Although, the long-time wooden favorites are still a popular choice, many new models and styles have emerged to provide a variety of different rides.

A style based loosely on the original toboggan, new lighter, plastic versions are available boasting more speed and maneuverability with modifications including steering wheels and runners. Plastic sleds range from basic saucers and flexible snow boggans to more complex Sno-Raptors and Tri-Ski steerable sleds with raised seats.

Inflatable sleds with names like the Phantom, Monster Boggan and Speeder, offer specially coated bottoms designed to give smoother, faster rides. They come in all shapes and sizes from the customary round tubes to the unusual "stealth" shapes. Even blow-up toboggans are available for the traditionalist at heart.

The classic appearance of wooden sleds has not changed much throughout the years, with traditional toboggans available in varying lengths. Extras include pads and cushions to ease the ride on the stiff wooden sled.

Snow-white hills ideal for sledding are abundant around Lake Tahoe and the Truckee Meadows. Close to Reno, Galena Creek Park is located off the Mt. Rose Highway seven miles up from the intersection of US Highway 395 with a wide area for sledder's to explore.

A little further up the road at the top of the Mt. Rose Highway, sledders gather in the Mt. Rose Meadows, providing an open, flat area and sledding hills for a fun spot to play in the snow.

On the way to South Shore at the top of Spooner Summit, the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 28 is another spot closer to Tahoe to take a few runs.

Before charging up the hill, it's important to remember to play it safe. Find sledding hills without trees or other obstacles and steer clear of runs that end at a creek or a river. Packed powder works best for sledding, but watch for ice patches, which can cause a sled to go out of control.

Many resorts around Lake Tahoe also offer tubing and sledding hills. For a fee they provide sleds or tubes and groomed runs. Some resorts also provide a lift to the top, while others rely on the traditional method of huffing and puffing.

Donner Summit's Boreal Mountain Resort offers a sledding Playland with groomed sled lanes. The sledding area is opened from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and personal sleds are not allowed. A full day of sledding is available for $12. For information contact 530-426-3666.

Granlibakken, near Tahoe City, provides a snow play area for the family with a groomed sledding area. Cost is $4 per person and $3 for saucer rentals. Tubes and toboggans are not allowed on the hill. For information contact 800-543-3221.

Hansen's Resort in South Lake Tahoe offers a tube and saucer hill with banked turns, packed runs and a groomed trail to walk back to the top. All equipment is provided and outside sleds are not allowed. Hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost is $6 an hour per person. For information contact 530-544-3361.

Accessible by a ride on the gondola, Heavenly Ski Resort's Adventure Park offers tubing from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sledder's must purchase a ticket for the Gondola ($20 adults and $12 children) and tubes are available for rent for $10 per hour or $20 all day. For information contact 775-586-7000.

Kingvale Tubbing and Sledding Center provides a lift to the top with a choice of four tube lanes and a sledding hill. Sleds and tubes are provided. Sledding is $10 for first three hours and tubing is $15 for the first three hours. Hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For information contact 530-426-1941.

Kirkwood family Tubing Park is serviced by a handle tow. A lift brings riders to the top of the special lift located next to chair No. 1. Tubes are rented by the hour or for a full day of fun. For information contact 209-258-6000.

Truckee's Northstar-at-Tahoe supplies tubes for their tubing hill with a lift to the top. Outside sleds and tubes are not allowed. Hours are 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. First hour is $10 and each additional hour is $6. For information contact 530-562-1010.

Sierra-at-Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe offers a 425-foot tubing park with big banks and a tube lift. Hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cost is $15 for two hours or $30 for all day. For information contact 530-659-7453.

Soda Springs Winter Resort near Donner Summit, provides two tubing lifts, the Little Dipper and Tube Express. Tubing is included in the price of a lift ticket or a two-hour tubing only ticket is available for $16 for adults, $10 for children. For information contact 530-426-3901.

High Camp at Squaw Valley USA provides sledder's with two lanes and a tubing lift to the top. The tubing park is open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is $9 per hour. For more information contact 530-583-6955.

Trout Creek Recreation Center in North Lake Tahoe provides a snow play area with provided discs and plastic sleds. Hours are 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Adults $4 and children (ages 4-6) $2. For more information contact 530-587-9437.

Resorts hours listed are for the regular season. Be sure to contact resorts prior to visiting because varying snow conditions can change hours.