What is a slide? “A slide is a structure with a smooth surface for people to slide down; it is a slippery surface for coasting. A slide is an example of the simple machine known as the inclined plane, which makes moving objects up and down easier, more fun. The slide may be flat, or half cylindrical or tubular to prevent falls. The user climbs to the top of the slide via a ladder or stairs and sits down on the top of the slide and slides down the chute. As a verb, sliding is an act of moving along a smooth surface while maintaining continuous contact with it.”
Again, according to Google, here is a list of slide styles: A spiral slide is a playground slide that is wrapped around a central pole to form a descending spiral. A wavy slide is a slide that has waves in its shape, causing the person sliding to go up and down slightly while descending. A tube slide is simply a slide in the form of a tube. It can also curve or have bumps. A straight slide is a flat slide that just goes down at a slight angle. Amusement-park slides are just larger versions of the playground slide, much higher and with multiple parallel slideways. Participants may be provided with a sack to sit on to reduce friction for higher speeds and to protect clothing. Drop slides are slides with a vertical or nearly vertical drop. Water slides are a type of slide that water goes down to create a slippery slide; found near water, generally in water parks or pools.
What, no mention of an ice slide? Come visit Ice Alaska at the Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds, 1800 College Road in Fairbanks. The kids’ park is full of icy, slippery slides. In addition, there are fun games to play, like Checkers, and structures to climb, like an ice salmon. The slides are slippery and fun. You will need a sled on all the slides and can check one out for free at the Gift Shop, or bring your own.
There are three basic safety rules when going down an ice slide: 1.Always slide down feet-first in a sitting position. (I see visitors going down head first and cringe). 2.Parents should not go down the slide with children on their laps. (What if your child catches his/her leg on the side while in your lap??) 3.Only one person should use the slide at a time. You need to wait until the exit of the slide is clear before sliding down. (no collisions, please)
The park opens every day at noon until the end of March. Come have an ice day. Don’t forget the hot chocolate and marshmallows in the Gift Shop after your slippery adventures.
