How to Get in the Game: Winter Olympic Sports in D.C.

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EVERYONE WHO STEPS onto a Washington sidewalk, still glazed with the remains of this season's snoverkill, instantly becomes a figure skater. But why stop at just the one event? In honor of the Olympic Games, here's how to sample other wintry sports in the D.C. area.

NEED FOR SPEED
No, you don't need to grow an Apolo Ohno-esque soul patch to speedskate. You just need to join the Potomac Speedskating Club. Coached by Dong-Sung Kim — who brought home the gold for Korea in Nagano in 1998 — the group welcomes beginners of all ages, from kids to adults. Sign up for a weekend practice: either Saturday nights at Kettler Capitals Iceplex (673 N. Glebe Road, Arlington) or Sunday mornings at Wheaton Ice Arena (11717 Orebaugh Ave., Wheaton).

Prospective students should bring a helmet and check to see whether there are skates in their size available to borrow. (It also helps to know your skating basics, such as crossovers.) Then it's time to get a taste for the sport that club vice president Alison Mittelstadt says "feels like flying." You'll work on form — tight and crouched — and take some practice spins around the rink, ending with a mock race. You can also count on an off-ice workout that'll include loads of squats.

Although grown-up novices are starting too late to go for Olympic gold, the club sends its members to plenty of other events, including nationals.

FLIPPING OUT
Watching high-flying alpine antics in Vancouver on your TV is fine. But for an even better view of the action, get to the lodge at Maryland's only ski resort, Wisp (296 Marsh Hill Road, McHenry; 301-387-4911). The windows look out on the Pro Park, which will be hosting the Maryland Open this Saturday. It's a freestyle event for skiers and snowboarders in three categories: slopestyle, big air and terrain park. In other words: crazy amplitude.

Not advanced enough yet to compete with the mid-Atlantic's finest? You can still get your feet wet by signing up for one of the mountain's twice weekly NASTAR (NAtional STAndard Race) races (Tuesdays and Sundays). The program is for folks of all abilities and ages, both skiers and snowboarders, to get timed and recorded results. Even if you're not super-speedy, it's a thrill to compete, says Wisp spokeswoman Lori Epp. "There's the camaraderie with other competitors. You congratulate each other on a great run or trick," she adds.

PUCK UP
If you're not a member of the Washington Capitals, there's just one place within city limits where you can play hockey: Fort Dupont Ice Arena (3779 Ely Place SE; 202-584-5007). Luckily, the NHL-sized rink is welcoming to just about every team around. The coed Metropolitan Hockey Club takes over the ice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. You don't need to have ever played before to join the Washington Wolves, an all-ladies group that practices Tuesday nights. Plus, there are pick-up games every Sunday night at 9 p.m. ($10).

Even bad players are sure to score, says skating director Emily Mayer. That is, if your goal is a good view. "The cool thing is you can see the city skyline — the Capitol Dome, the monuments," she adds. So, checking it out is encouraged even when checking is not.

Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post