(Photo: Hannah Whitaker )

Man invented sledding for a reason, and it wasn’t to get you placidly from point A to point B. It was to go superfast, preferably while screaming. Where the average plastic saucer lumbers down a city-park hillside like a minibus, the Bavarian Zipfel bobsled ($40 at Hammacher Schlemmer, 147 E. 57 St., nr. Lexington Ave.; 212-421-9000) handles more like a Porsche—one your kids and you can drive. The low-to-the-ground, feet-out seating position is safer than a headfirst sled, and the lightweight molded plastic body and steering stick can withstand far more punishment than a flimsy disk (or trash lid, or greased-up cooking pan). For more winter diversions, click ahead.