How to Ride a Toboggan
A toboggan is a sled made of thin wooden boards that is curved up at one end. A simple and classic sled design, the toboggan doesn't offer much in the way of safety or stabilization beyond a rope handle attached to the curved front. There are a few different ways a toboggan can be safely ridden and this guide will help you make the most out of a great snow day.
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Instructions
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Ride by yourself in the middle of the toboggan. Sit yourself just ahead of the center of the toboggan and extend your legs towards the front of the sled. Your feet should be touching the curved front for stability. Hold on the to rope and lean left and right to steer.
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Ride by yourself on your stomach. More daring individuals can lie flat on their stomach on the toboggan, extending the legs behind towards the end of the sled. Bend the legs at the knees into the air to avoid dragging. Lift your head over the curved front to see where you are going, hold onto the rope and lean your body left or right to steer.
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Ride with multiple people. Probably the safest and most fun way to ride a toboggan is with one or two other people. The first rider should sit cross-legged as far forward as he can, holding onto the rope. The second rider will sit directly behind the first, placing his feet around the first rider in between their body and arms. He should hold onto the first rider's shoulders for stability. If you have a third rider, he will follow this same strategy--wrapping his legs around the second rider and holding onto his shoulders. All individuals should lean left or right in unison to steer.
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Tips & Warnings
Bundle up. You are bound to take a few spills as you get the hang of it, and nothing can ruin a great day of sledding like cold, wet hands or feet.
Some toboggans have low handrails along the sides; if this is the case with yours, be sure to hold onto them tightly.
Be careful of trees or large bumps or jumps in the path of the sled. Running into something like this can lead to serious injury. A helmet should be worn if sledding down an aggressive hill or terrain.
