Homemade Sleds

Snowfall changes the whole landscape and also brings about subtle changes in everyone's mood. Many people feel a sense of anticipation for all the different and fun winter activities. Of these winter activities, sledding remains very popular among all age groups. A snow sled is one of the easiest things to construct, and can be done by anyone right at home. There are different types of homemade snow sleds.

  1. Build a Ski Sled

    • One of the simplest forms of homemade snow sled is constructed by attaching skis to a plastic tub. Such a sled is ideal for going down a slope in a straight line. The type of skis can be chosen to suit the speed desired and the gradient of the slope. Having a spacer fitted between the tub and the skis can also elevate the sled. This will help if the snow is deep and will avoid friction between snow and the tub, making it faster and easier to control. The inside of the tub can be lined with foam, pillows or some other cushioning material to provide a more comfortable ride.

    Make Your Own Dog Sled

    • A traditional design that can be built at home is an Eskimo sled drawn by dogs. This sled has curved wooden runners, on which it slides. It is difficult to get the right curve of wood, so hockey sticks can be used in their place. Attaching wooden pieces on each side reinforces the sticks. Wires are used to securely fasten the wood pieces to the hockey stick. The sled runners are made of wooden planks cut to the desired size. Use a belt sander to round off the corners. The sled's body is simply planks which are screwed to the runners. The harness is usually made of leather or canvas, with a dog collar at one end.

    Pull-Behind Equipment Sled

    • Sleds are also used to carry equipment, as it is much easier to drag items on the surface of the snow than to carry the entire load by hand. An equipment tote sled will carry equipment and can be dragged behind with a harness made of PVC pipes. These pipes will keep the sled at a distance behind the person who is pulling the sled, and the sled will stay clear of the person's feet. The length of the PVC pipes will depend on the height of the person and the length of stride he takes. The pipes are fastened to a hip-belt and the other ends are secured to the bow of the sled.