After a recent wave of bountiful snowstorms swept through Northern New Mexico, the sledding season is in full swing just in time for the holidays.

"We've seen a lot of snow up here lately and the sledding has been great," says Joe Cristopherson, superintendent of Hyde Memorial State Park in the mountains just above Santa Fe.

The park boasts a couple of 100-yard sledding runs, where adults and kids armed with plastic saucers, toboggans or rubber inner tubes can have a ball whisking down the hill.

No metal sleds or dogs are allowed on the sledding runs for obvious safety reasons, Cristopherson says.

A $5 day-use fee is required per vehicle, while the purchase of a $40 annual pass will provide unlimited visitation to all state parks.

Parents using the sledding run are asked to supervise children and encourage them to wait for others to complete their runs before starting down themselves.

Sledding can be accomplished easily with as little as a stout piece of cardboard, but some may want to stop in at Cottam's Ski Shop located inside the state park's historic lodge and pick up a plastic saucer or toboggan. Both cost about $20.

Visitors to the sledding hill will also find hot chocolate and other refreshments at Cottam's, says Lyndsay Cottam.

The lodge at Hyde Memorial State Park features an outdoor patio on the backside where folks can relax and watch sledders come down the hill.

And while store-bought sleds are convenient, it is the inner tube that reigns supreme among serious sledders in New Mexico.

Inner tubes provide a slick and bouncy, old-school kind of ride, and can't be beat for bouncing off trees and other people.

"We have them on hand especially for those customers," says Kris Griffin, manager of Discount Tire next to the Horseman's Haven on Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe.

A rubber inner tube costs between $12 and $20, depending on the size, and will provide hours of enjoyment, Griffin says.

And if you're planning on doing some serious tubing, there are a couple of other spots in Northern New Mexico that shouldn't be missed.

The sledding hill at the Agua Piedra Campground in the Carson National Forest just north of Sipapu Ski Area is, like its counterpart at Hyde Park, an old ski run.

One of the first ski areas in the state, the run at Agua Piedra provides cheap thrills in a forested setting on the banks of the Rio Pueblo north of Peñasco, says Josie Lopez of the Sipapu Ski Resort.

The store at the ski resort off N.M. 518 also carries plastic saucers and toboggans, as well as groceries and other refreshments, Lopez said.

Sledding is not offered at the ski resort itself.

Those looking for a sunny, gently sloped meadow to sled will find just what they're looking for on U S Hill off N.M. 518 on the back road to Taos, says Kathy DeLucas, public affairs officer for the Carson National Forest.

This location is a big draw for families because of its gentle nature and great scenery, she says.

Those venturing outside for sledding should expect to work up a sweat while having fun and thus should stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing and apply sunscreen, too, DeLucas says.

And lastly, those new to the sport should be aware of the inherent rough-and-tumble nature of the activity and the effect that may have on children; helmets may be advisable.

Karl F. Moffatt is a longtime New Mexico journalist and avid outdoorsman who can be contacted through his blog at www.outdoorsnewmexico.com" target="_blank">www.outdoorsnewmexico.com.

IF YOU GO

Hyde Memorial State Park is located on Hyde Park Road on the way up to Ski Santa Fe Ski.

The Agua Piedra sledding area is located off N.M. 518 on the road to Mora, just past the Sipapu Ski Resort. Take the highway to Española, turn off at N.M. 76 and proceed to Penasco and then N.M. 518.

U S Hill is located off N.M. 518 as well, but in the other direction on the road to Taos. An alternate route is to take N.M. 68 out of Española; go north along the Rio Grande toward Taos; and take the N.M. 75 turnoff at Embudo, following it to Peñasco and onto N.M. 51.