How to Make a Snow Jump for Sledding

Building a snow jump is an easy way to spice up your sledding experience. You can put a jump just about anywhere, as long as you've got enough snow to work with and a way to build speed on your sled. Follow these tips to make a jump that's safe, fun and sure to shoot your sled high into the air.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a good hill for the jump. The hill needs to steep enough for your sled to gain speed, but it also needs to have enough snow on it so you can build the jump and still slide into it smoothly.

    • 2

      Clear away any leaves, stones, sticks or ice chunks from the jump's path. Keeping the area before and after the jump free of debris ensures you an even launch and a safe landing.

    • 3

      Build your snow jump in layers. Each layer should be between 6 inches to a foot, depending on the desired height of your jump. Take care to compact each layer as much as you can using a shovel or your hands.

    • 4

      Build a transition from the hill to the jump. Ideally, your sled will ride smoothly up the face of the jump and over the lip without digging into the ramp at all. Try building the front of the ramp at the same angle as the hill, then gradually increase the ramp's incline.

    • 5

      Compact the top layer of your jump using your sled or a shovel. Avoid the temptation to build up the lip into its own kind of "kicker". A good snow jump will gently launch your sled down the hill without jarring impacts.