New Canaan’s Norton family on Monday morning made its first-ever journey to an iconic local spot for the day after a major snowstorm.
The sledding hill at Waveny on Jan. 26, 2026. Credit: Michael Dinan
One of Darren Norton’s brothers told him that Waveny’s sledding hill “was the place to be,” he told NewCanaanite.com from an area cleared by the donor-supported Waveny Park Conservancy, overlooking Anderson Pond west of the main house.
“It’s our first time here,” Darren Norton said as his daughter, Sloane, wrapped up warmly, prepared for another downhill run on her orange saucer. “We love it. It’s great, super fun.”
L-R: Charlie Koch, Emily Koch, James Mager, William Koch, David Koch, Annabel Koch, Mark Mager, Charles Mager and Kristen Mager at Waveny’s sledding hill on Jan. 26, 2026. Credit: Michael Dinan
The Nortons were among the first families to “hit the slopes” at New Canaan’s favorite park on a chilly morning after an estimated 10-plus inches of snow dropped on the town. The severe winter storm that saw the local library, public schools and government shut down for the day also drew scores of New Canaan and area families for a day of old-fashioned, unplugged fun.
Darien’s Koch and Mager families messaged each other Sunday to hit their go-to sledding spot in the morning.
Clockwise from top-left: Elizabeth, Alex, Henry and Charlotte Galanski of New Canaan at
“We planned on it,” Emily Koch said. “We all texted as a group and said we’d meet at 10 a.m. in Waveny. Love it.”
New Canaan’s Galanski family also knew to get to Waveny nice and early for the best sledding.
“We had to get out early before it turns to ice,” mom Alex Galanski said as she and her kids—Elizabeth, Henry and Charlotte—readied for another turn on the sledding hill. “It’s great.”