Sometimes heading down that slippery slope can be a good thing; particularly when you're in the sledding business.
Confronted with losing his job, one would-be entrepreneur decided to take matters into his own hands and do things on his terms.
Essentially, when faced with the proverbial slippery slope of joblessness, Steve Luhr decided to roll with it and choose his own direction. The mode of transport chosen in order to reach his new destination is pretty cool too.
Having lost his job in medical equipment sales, Mr Luhr invented the Hammerhead sled - a streamlined, futuristic-looking sledge made for adults.
The invention, which was created with the help of product designer Bob Worrell, was recently featured in a CNN Money article entitled: 'Snow job - A newbie entrepreneur creates a sled for grown-ups'.
The sled is obviously not a new invention, but Mr Luhr's foresight to turn a product regarded as a child's toy into a grown-up's snow-slope pride and joy was a stroke of genius and led him to the pages of CNN Money.
So good is the idea and so slick is the design, that the Hammerheads are selling faster and faster. With the beneficial online PR it has received as a result of the news article, sales will more than likely only continue to rise.
The first 225 sleds sold out in 2004 and the company has since sold more than 4,000, with 2008 revenues hitting $250,000.
However, Mr Luhr has his sights set on nationwide distribution. To achieve this, he will need to raise annual revenues of between $300,000 and $500,000.
Such a target is well within reach, as the popularity of the product gains momentum.
Having ventured into selling the sled in ski resorts, things could really take off – there are even dedicated, lift-served slopes for sledging now.
While the product is still in the process of gaining recognition and attention, there is little doubt that once enough has been secured - something CNN Money will have significantly aided - this product will be a great success.
And who knows, in a few years' time, people may not be faced with the either/or dilemma of snowboarding or skiing; they may just pack the sled instead.
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