INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Thin, blade-like runners will increase speed on icy surfaces. Sleds that slide along one large base without runners are better for deep snow, since they distribute the rider's weight more evenly and reduce sinking. Sleds with wide runners are somewhere in between. Most casual sledders just use one sled for all terrain, but if you're buying your first sled, pick one that will work on the hills you expect to be trying. Sleds with metal runners or sliding surfaces tend to be faster than wooden or plastic sleds, since they create less friction. Metal sleds are usually more expensive, though. Sleds with runners and steering mechanisms are the safest type of sled for children. This may not hold true for high speed sledding. Most people don't think of sledding as a dangerous sport, but serious or fatal sledding injuries do occur regularly. Wearing a helmet is an excellent idea for children, as well as for adults who are sledding down steep, tall, icy, or obstacle-laden slopes. Thick winter clothing usually gives enough protection for the rest of the body. Find a hill completely covered by snow or ice, since dry patches can stop your sled. Never sled on a hill covered in obstacles, or one that ends in a parking lot, a street, or a body of water. If there are other people around, choose a side of the hill where you won't run into them. Stay seated while the sled is moving, and face forward at all times. Do not face backwards, lie down face-first, or try to spin the sled, as this can make a crash much riskier. Some sleds are designed for the rider to lie face-first, but these should only be used in specially prepared lanes at winter resorts, or by experienced sledders. You can steer by leaning in the direction you want to turn, or by putting your foot out into the snow on that side. To slow down or stop, put both feet out into the snow. Larger sleds and sleds with runners often have ropes you can pull to turn the sled, or more rarely a steering wheel or other unusual mechanism. If you need to turn very suddenly or at high speed, use multiple steering techniques (for instance, lean and put out a boot at the same time). Tube-shaped and disc-shaped sleds can be very difficult to steer, and should only be used on wide, open areas with no obstacles or preferably in special lanes in "tubing parks" and other winter recreation areas. If you lose control and the sled is going too fast for you to stop, cover your face and head with your arms, then roll out the side of the sled.

SUMMARY: Choose a sled for ice or for snow. Wear a helmet if necessary. Choose a safe hill. Sit facing forward. Learn to steer your sled. Bail out if you lose control.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Drinking brandy "neat" means that you are drinking it by itself with no ice or mixer. You taste only the brandy and nothing else, allowing you to fully experience the flavor. Ice will melt and water down the brandy, ruining the flavor. The best brandies should be savored on their own. This will help you enjoy the flavor fully, heightening your experience and allowing you to truly get a taste of the best brandy experience. A brandy snifter or brandy balloon is a short glass with a wide base whose sides taper in at the top. It will have a short stem and come in many sizes, although no more than 2 ounces (60 ml) will usually be served at a time. These glasses are perfect for drinking brandy because they concentrate the subtle aromas at the top of the glass when nosing or smelling them. A thoroughly clean snifter that has been air-dried prevents other tastes from interfering with that of the brandy. Brandies do not need to breathe like wine does. If you let it sit for too long then some of the volatile alcohols will evaporate. This will lose some of the character of the brandy. Many connoisseurs prefer to warm up the brandy because gentle heat enhances the flavor and aroma. The best way to do this is to simply hold the glass in your hand to gently warm it up. The wide base of the glass makes it easy to warm in your hand. You also can warm the glass by pouring warm water in it and then pouring out before filling with your brandy. Another way to warm the brandy is to carefully heat the glass over an open flame. Be careful not to overheat! Overheating can cause the alcohol to evaporate and ruin the bouquet and flavor. Do not swill the glass because you can lose some of the subtle aromas in the brandy. Nosing (smelling through your nose) the brandy at this distance will allow you to smell the floral notes and introduces the delicate aromas to your nose. This prevents your senses from being overwhelmed when tasting. Raise the snifter to chin height and take a deep breath through your nose. Nosing at this height will let you smell the dried fruit aromas in the brandy. When you bring the snifter up to your nose you can smell the spice aromas in the brandy. This nosing will be much more complex than the previous two. Your first sip should simply wet your lips so that it does not overpower you. The first sip should be the smallest possible sip and will bring the flavor into your mouth. If you become overpowered it may put you off tasting the brandy again. These are meant to acclimatize your mouth to the flavor. Only once your taste buds are acclimatized can you fully appreciate the taste of the brandy. Drinking brandy is as much about the aroma as it is about the taste so make sure you continue to appreciate the aroma as you sip the brandy. If you are tasting a number of brandies then you should start with the youngest first. Always leave a small amount of each to come back to later- you will be surprised how much the first taste can change after your nose and palate have warmed up to the brandies. Both type and price can influence the way you taste a brandy so it is best to cover this information when tasting to really discover the flavors that you like. This can help you learn more about yourself as well. You can mark the glasses on the bottom somehow before pouring them. Then mix the glasses up before drinking so that you do not know which is which.

SUMMARY:
Learn what neat means. Drink brandy neat when you have a good quality aged brandy. Get a brandy snifter. Serve immediately. Warm up the glass in your hand. Smell the brandy while holding the glass at chest height. Bring the glass to your chin and smell through your nose again. Raise the snifter to directly under your nose and smell through both your mouth and nose. Take a very small sip. Take more sips, starting small and working your way up to bigger sips. Start young and move older if you are tasting multiple brandies. Try not to look at the type and cost of the brandy if you are tasting a number of brandies.