Bobsledding
Bobsledding (or bobsleighing), an Olympic regular since the 1924 games in Chamonix, is the perfect activity for those who crave speed. Happily, you needn’t train for years on end to give it a whirl – head to Utah Olympic Park, in Park City, Utah (30 miles from Salt Lake City), where, for $200, you’ll get a snazzy helmet strapped on your head and a seat (with room for up to two more of your wildest companions) in a four-man bobsled, with an experienced driver to pilot the dare-devilish run. The setting for the bobsledding event at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, this one-mile run, dubbed “The Comet,” is the real deal indeed, touting a vertical drop equivalent to that of a 40-story building. Traversing the ice-covered track takes less than a minute, given bobsledding speeds can reach more than 80mph. Sorry kiddies – this isn’t your typical sleigh ride – you must be 18 years or older to partake of this sport that’s sure to have you “bobbing” about (whence the name). If you decide to fully commit to the aggressive sport, 3-day Bobsled Fantasy Camps ($1500) are held each winter, with national-team coaches who’ll help you realize your dream. Heck, if the Jamaican bobsled team can make a mark at the Olympics, you may just have your shot, too!
