How to Get Started Series: Sledding

This Winter, we’ve had a lot of snow and chances are you might be experiencing a bit of cabin fever. That makes it the perfect time to take the family sledding! This may seem like an easy task, right? Before you jump straight to the fun, you have to make sure you have everything you need, including the right sled for the right conditions. With the guide we’ve put together, you’ll be prepared to hit the slopes and have some serious fun sledding!

Pick A Location

You’ve decided you want to go sledding, but where are you going to go? If you’re lucky enough to live on a hill or mountain, then you don’t have to go to far. For those who live on flatter ground, it may not be that simple. There may be a hill nearby, but if not you could always choose to go to a park like Echo Lake Park in Mountainside, NJ when there is enough snow.

Choose Your Sled

What goes down, must also go back up. When choosing the perfect sled, it’s not only the conditions that matter, but the weight of the sled as well. You will be pulling the sled up the hill for several hours, so think about the weight of the sled when you are considering which one is right for you.

• Snow Sled Tubes: These are lightweight and inexpensive inflatables. They will fly downhill in almost any snow condition once the first track has been made.
• Plastic and Foam Sleds: Think of these as the Lamborghini of sleds, they are fast! Made to be light weight, they offer minimal resistance to any snow condition. You can find them in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and price ranges.
• Hybrid Sleds: These sleds are the newcomer to sledding. They combine the concept of traditional runner sleds with composite materials for speed and steering capabilities. These sleds work best on packed snow conditions.

Sledding Essentials

The right gear is essential to safety and ensuring a fun sledding experience. Being active in the winter can be tricky because you are moving around and tend to get sweaty, but the temperatures outside are low and you want to make sure that you maintain a good body temperature without getting overheated. The trick to this is making sure you are dressed properly, and layers are the key!

• Layers: Always make sure you have the proper clothing and watch weather reports before you go sledding. It’s going to be cold, that you know, so dress in layers in case you get too warm and need to remove a base or mid-layer, but still maintain a good body temperature.
• Socks: Socks are crucial! Your feet will sweat from the heat of your boots, so you are going to need socks that are thin, wick moisture away from the skin, and are high enough to prevent your boots from rubbing against your skin. Socks that are too thick will cause your feet to sweat and lose warmth.
• Jacket: A good jacket will have a wind and waterproof outer shell and will also be breathable at the same time. The weather can change on a dime, so a jacket that specializes in temperature control is key to keeping you comfortable.
• Snow Pants: Just like your jacket, your pants also need to be weather-proof and allow breathability. A good pair of snow pants will prevent water from seeping through and touching your skin when you fall in the snow.
• Gloves: You will need gloves that are waterproof and insulted to protect your hands from the snow and cold. A good pair will keep you dry, warm, and sledding all day!
• Water and Hot Chocolate: The cold often helps you to forget that you are sweating. Hypothermia sets in faster when you are dehydrated, so drink extra water before you go, and remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. You’ll also want to bring a thermos or two of hot chocolate so you can warm up with a hot beverage at different times during the day.
• Sunscreen: You may not think you need sunscreen in the Winter, but it’s pretty important. The sun's rays reflect off the snow, so any part of you that is exposed should be covered with sunscreen.
• Sunglasses: Snow blindness can cause long term or permanent damage to your eyes, keep them protected with sunglasses or snow goggles.
• First Aid Kit: Always keep a first aid kit handy any time you are outdoors, no matter if you’re just going for a hike or going sledding. In the Winter include hand and foot warmers to help provide extra warmth when needed and aid in the prevention of frostbite.
• Camp Chairs: They will provide you with a warm, dry place to sit, relax, and sip on your hot chocolate, giving you a chance to prep for the next round.
• Blankets: They will provide an added layer of warmth if needed.
• Snow Toys: If the hill gets too busy or you need to take a rest from climbing for a bit, break out the toys! There are toys that make and launch snowballs, there are even one’s that make snow grenades so you can have an extreme snowball fight. You can find molds for making snow bricks and blocks so you can even build forts.

Once you have a location picked out and all your gear is ready to go, it’s time to get out there and have some fun!

Gear up for Winter fun with Ramsey Outdoor!