Wooden Toboggan Treatment

The wooden toboggan predates the plastic sled.

The toboggan, or hunting sleigh, originated in the Canadian north with the native people who used the toboggan to carry supplies on narrow snowshoe trails and to haul their game home. Native traplines were monitored and furs were carried to the trading post using this early form of transport. Wooden toboggans still exist today. Proper treatment is required to maintain them.

Toboggan History

The first toboggans were long, narrow, flexible sleds which were pulled by hand through trails deep in snow. The base of the toboggan distributed the load just as a snowshoe's design did the same for the man pulling the toboggan. Tribes traveling as a community used the toboggan to transport their supplies and carry the infants. Adult males wearing snowshoes blazed a trail for the women and younger children to follow. All but the babies were expected to pull a supply-laden toboggan.

Toboggan Construction and Maintenance

The early toboggans were constructed using slats of birch wood. The boards were bent and lashed while still green to form a curved front for easy transport through the snow. Cross pieces were attached to give the toboggan a rigid structure and the bottom treated with animal fat to create a waterproof barrier. Today's toboggans are treated similarly with linseed oil since a lacquered finish would crack and break down in the cold. Toboggans used for recreational sliding are also given a coating of beeswax or ski wax for added speed.

Caring for the Wooden Toboggan

During the off season a toboggan should be stored in a cool, dry area such as a basement or garage. The toboggan should never be stored directly on a concrete surface. If hung overhead, the toboggan should be supported in several places to avoid sagging or warping of the wood. A toboggan should never be stored near the heat of a furnace or in the dampness of an attic. The toboggan should never be stored wet and is best cleaned and dried after each use.

Waxing Techniques

Waxing will preserve the factory finish of the toboggan and increase its sliding capability. A cake of beeswax applied directly to the linseed oiled factory finish works well. The toboggan should be dry before the wax is applied. If desired, the wax can be polished with a piece of cork to help work the wax into the wood grain. Most ski shops carry waxes designed for waxable cross country and downhill skis. These wax kits work well for the toboggan as well and usually include temperature sensitive formulations, burnishing tool and a scraper to remove old wax.

Other Considerations

The wooden toboggan should be regularly inspected for signs of wear and tear. Broken straps and old latch pins should be replaced. Old hemp rope can be replaced with stronger nylon rope which is resistant to moisture and longer wearing. If a wooden slat is cracked, it may be fixable or a broken slat may be replaced at a sporting goods store that deals in ski repair. With proper use and care, a wooden toboggan can provide a lifetime of fun.

References

• Planet Green: Learn Proper Toboggan Care
• Total Wood Products: Toboggan Care, Use and Storage Guide
• Northern Toboggan and Sled: The Traditional Sleighs of the North

Resources

• Discover Canadian Outdoors: Tobogganing in Canada