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CG Traveller

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You're careening down a mountainside at 50 kilometres an hour. All you can hear is the roar of steel-edged runners against compacted snow. Welcome to the world of natural luge. Unlike the twisting tubular glassy ice tracks of Olympic luge, natural-luge courses are three-metre-wide, snow-packed surfaces confined by sled-friendly dividers. Instead of riding the banks, the steel-edged wooden runners of natural-luge sliders stay keep flat on the ground as riders steer with reins and flexible foot-driven levers, which also serve as brakes. Despite the high-velocity hype, luge is easy to learn and a total rip for anyone who likes the thrills of downhill winter sports. Check the links below for more information on natural luge.

www.mtwashington.ca/winter04/nordic/luge_shoe.cfm
Mount Washington Alpine Resort is home to North America's first dedicated commercial natural-luge course. The "Discover Luge!" program includes a mandatory lesson and gear rental (sled and helmet) that introduces eager participants to the sport for a mere $19. After that rite of initiation, you are free to buy pass and rent equipment so you can whisk down the 300-metre track on your own.

The Alberta Luge Association is dedicated to promoting both competitve and recreational participation in natural luge. It's a popular recreational activity in Alberta as the site offers links to five regional clubs and tracks available to recreational participants.