How to Sled: 10 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

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Last Updated: February 25, 2021

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   Choose a sled for ice or for snow. Thin, blade-like runners will increase speed on icy surfaces. Sleds that slide along one large base without runners are better for deep snow, since they distribute the rider's weight more evenly and reduce sinking.^[1] Sleds with wide runners are somewhere in between. Most casual sledders just use one sled for all terrain, but if you're buying your first sled, pick one that will work on the hills you expect to be trying.

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   The Best Sledding Trails in France | WikilocSledding trails in FranceEurope’s best sled runsMaster The Art Of Sledding: Unveiling The Secrets To An Exhilarating Winter Adventure

   • Sleds with metal runners or sliding surfaces tend to be faster than wooden or plastic sleds, since they create less friction. Metal sleds are usually more expensive, though.
   • Sleds with runners and steering mechanisms are the safest type of sled for children.^[2] This may not hold true for high speed sledding.
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   Wear a helmet if necessary. Most people don't think of sledding as a dangerous sport, but serious or fatal sledding injuries do occur regularly. Wearing a helmet is an excellent idea for children, as well as for adults who are sledding down steep, tall, icy, or obstacle-laden slopes.

   • Thick winter clothing usually gives enough protection for the rest of the body.

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   Choose a safe hill. Find a hill completely covered by snow or ice, since dry patches can stop your sled. Never sled on a hill covered in obstacles, or one that ends in a parking lot, a street, or a body of water. If there are other people around, choose a side of the hill where you won't run into them.

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   Sit facing forward. Stay seated while the sled is moving, and face forward at all times. Do not face backwards, lie down face-first, or try to spin the sled, as this can make a crash much riskier.^[3]

   • Some sleds are designed for the rider to lie face-first, but these should only be used in specially prepared lanes at winter resorts, or by experienced sledders.
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   Learn to steer your sled. You can steer by leaning in the direction you want to turn, or by putting your foot out into the snow on that side. To slow down or stop, put both feet out into the snow. Larger sleds and sleds with runners often have ropes you can pull to turn the sled, or more rarely a steering wheel or other unusual mechanism. If you need to turn very suddenly or at high speed, use multiple steering techniques (for instance, lean and put out a boot at the same time).

   • Tube-shaped and disc-shaped sleds can be very difficult to steer, and should only be used on wide, open areas with no obstacles – or preferably in special lanes in "tubing parks" and other winter recreation areas.
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   Bail out if you lose control. If you lose control and the sled is going too fast for you to stop, cover your face and head with your arms, then roll out the side of the sled.^[4]

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   Stay safe. These steps can make your sled go much faster. Do a test run on a small, easy slope first, and wear a helmet to protect yourself from injury.

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   Wax your sled. Glide wax is a great, easy option for making wooden or metal sleds go faster. If you don't want to buy a specialized product, you can use cooking grease or paraffin (candle) wax. Liquid wax can be rubbed over the bottom of the sled, left for ten minutes, then buffed with a nylon brush. If you are using a more solid wax for wooden sleds, you'll need to warm up your sled with a hairdryer or other heat source first, then work in the wax using a brush.

   • You can even bring along non-stick cooking spray to give your sled an extra slick surface right before going down a hill.^[5]
   • Check the label on ski wax before using. You want "glide wax," not "grip wax."
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   Pack and freeze the snow. Sled down the same spot to pack the snow down and make a flatter, faster track. If the temperature is below freezing and you have some time, spray the track with water and wait until it freezes. Repeat several times to make a slick, icy track.^[6]

4. See Also

   Ultimate Guide To Sledding: Tips, Tricks, And Choosing The Right Gear

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   Keep your sled smooth and clean. Use a cloth to wipe off dirt from the underside of your sled. If your sled has developed a rough or bumpy surface, use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth it out again. A layer of paint over the freshly sanded surface will slow down the pace of further damage.^[7]

   • If you wax your sled, check the wax regularly to see if its become dirty or flaking. If it has, scrape it off with a putty scraper at a 45º angle.

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