This boarding's cool!(Chicago Tribune)

It's too slick outside for the scooter and blades, but winter's still a great time for wild rides. The totally extreme athlete may go for snowboarding, which most enthusiasts will tell you is a cool combo of surfing and skateboarding.

"It's different from anything else," says instructor Tim Windell, who runs a snowboarding camp in Mount Hood, Ore. "OK, you kind of glide like you're surfing, but you feel a lot more in your hips. There are a lot more things that come up in front of you. And you do have the ability to do jumps and flips, like skateboarding. You have enough control to do tricks."

Boards come in various sizes, based on the snowboarder's weight, and attach to clunky boots. Check sporting goods stores for gear, then try your local forest preserve for a few hills to work on your approach. Windell suggests taking lessons or heading to a course for some hands-on schooling once you're boarding comfort level improves. (Check parks and rec centers or health ...