Top sleds
Tubes, sled racers, ski scooters, snow boogie boards, inflatable snow tube sled toboggans — with winter snow comes a variety of fast and faster snow toys for high and low prices. The best value for the best ride? Check out our family pick for a fast and safe, kid-friendly ride.
There are almost as many different kinds of snow sleds as there are flavors of ice cream, with sleds varying in speed, price and durability.
We tested out tubes, foam boards, sleds and toboggans on a wintry cold day at a family sledding outing.
Our top pick? A heavy-duty, plastic toboggan designed to seat three children or two adults. We used a 66-inch orange toboggan, similar to the “Beast Expedition Sled” (ACE hardware, $39.95, online or in store; or Target, Walmart). The “Beast” is lightweight and has a tow rope — easy to hook on the back tow ball of a four-wheeler for easy riding up the hill and somewhat easy to steer when coming down the hill.
We tried foam snow boards, lightning sleds, smaller toboggans and even a Spider-Man plastic tube — but nothing matched the speed and durability of the “Beast.” The day we sledded, more than 15 families made their way up and down a half-mile private sledding lane, zipping down on the heavy-duty toboggans.
For even more speed, wax the bottom of the toboggan and sled with multiple riders — but not too many riders. Piling on the weight can eventually slow down the toboggan. Two adults (with or without one child) and three children seemed to be the perfect speed-catching combination. Whereas cheaper, lighter foam and plastic sleds will get stuck in new powder, a heavy-duty plastic toboggan works well in either powder or packed snow.
For more snow-riding fun, check out these traditional and new favorites:
Inflatables and tubes
Inflatables may be “in,” but beware the attraction of a cheap price for a plastic ride. Light-weight inflatable tubes, scooters, saucers and sleds (as inexpensive as $11) puncture easily and — from our experience — work only on very well-packed snow. Ride down the hill on a Pokemon tube and you’ll likely end up having to stand up and get out of the way of the toboggans zipping past you!
For serious inflatable snow fun, invest in a heavy duty, nylon snow tube with either PVC tarpaulin or vinyl bottom (available at www.snowtubes.com for $69.95). These tubes are for the serious sledder. Hold onto the nylon web handles for a bouncy, high-speed, puncture-resistant ride. For slightly larger, higher-end tubes, see www.snowsleds.net.
Sleds and saucers
You get what you pay for in snow sleds and saucers, too. Young children will be happy with an inexpensive snow sled, and they won’t go very quickly down the hill. But your older kids (that’s 6 and older) will want something more heavy duty to create a path, pick up speed and carry their weight.
Try ACE hardware for reasonably priced mid-range saucers and sleds, or check out these sleds for the serious sledder:
Hammerhead sled. Average price: $339; www.hammerheadsleds.com or www.walmart.com. This flexible flyer sled is the Lexus of sledding, with skis made from high-density polyethylene and a strake design that allows the skis to track on well-packed snow and float on deep snow. Tip: Use the included velcro carry straps to pack this 9.7-pound sled to the top of the hill before a blazing downhill ride.
Wooden Flyer sled. Average price: $150-$300; www.snowsleds.net or www.walmart.com. Purists and conservators may want to go with a traditional wooden sled, which allows steering control. A wooden flyer sled is great for one adult or two children. Using your feet to steer, and with packed snow, this sled can ride fast. Tip: To gain extra momentum after the runners become worn, sand them down with fine grit sandpaper and wax the runners.
Mad River Rocket sled. Average price: $95-$275; www.madriverrocket.com. For the newest snow sled phenomenon, try knee boarding. With knee pads and a quick-release belt, rocket sledders can do everything from carving to jumps and inverted aerials. Tip: No funds for a snow knee board? Try the hill on your water board. Even without the knee pads and belt you’ll get similar speed and momentum.
