Winters are about to start and it’s time to get on your boots and gloves, pick up your sled and head down that hill. The activity of sledding was developed way back in 1870 and since then it has been one of the most famous winter activities for people across the globe.

There’s a variety of warm clothes and accessories you will need. Some newly introduced fabrics are warm and light. These clothes are specially made for winter activities and sports purposes. The #1 item you’ll need is a warm and comfy jacket. Since you’ll be careening down a snowy hill, you might consider wearing your very thickest jacket, just so you have that extra padding against the snow, branches or anything else you might run into. Layering is also important, so wear multiple items of clothing under your jacket.

Similarly, you need to have the right kind of footwear. The shoes are very important for any winter sport or activity and sledding is no different. Good, strong snow boots or hiking boots that have good traction on them are a good choice. Your head and ears need to stay away from cold too and you can look for a warm monkey style cap or choose a separate hat and scarf with ear muffs. Also, don’t forget the socks! Consider extra thick, comfy, warm socks to go inside your boots. Or choose to wear two sets of socks.

Safety gear is essential for sledding, especially for smaller children. Never go down a hill where there are trees close by or you must maneuver between trees. Also, never sled head first down a hill. Many people are injured every year because they go head first down a hill and then end up running into a tree, rock or other sledder. In addition, don’t go sledding where there are too many other sledders close by or where there are other winter activities going on, like skiing or snowboarding, as you wouldn’t want to run into someone flying down the hill at high speeds on skis! Everyone who goes sledding should consider wearing a helmet. Specialized helmets for skiing and snowboarding are appropriate for sledding, so invest in one should you plan to go sledding every year.

You also need to take a few points into consideration when buying a sled. There are different sled sizes available for children as well as adults. The four most common types of sleds used are disks, toboggans, tubes and runner sleds. The kind of sled you want to buy depends on the kind of terrain where you are sledding. For children, disks are a good choice, because they are available in small sizes. However, never let small children go sledding without adult supervision. Older children might consider tubes or runner sleds, which are easy to use and control. Toboggans are a great choice for families.

Tags : Ski Joring, Skiing, Sledding