I'm looking for a top-quality downhill sled for a 9 year-old boy. Preferably one that goes really really fast. Any suggestions where I should buy such a sled?

P.S. Merry Christmas EF!

First you'd better pray for snow!

Sledge Shop ?.

Jumbo do um.


"Preferably one that goes really really fast" how is the medical insurance for a 9 year old boy, because more people are hurt sledging than skiing.

DC

Manor on Bahnhofstr. had a really cool one. It looked like it was made of Kevlar or carbon fibre or something. It would certainly get you noticed...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, almost every ski shop sells them and add a huge premium to have the word "Davos" embossed on them. When I were a lad we made our own a few twigs ...usw...

dave

I was thinking about doing a bit of sledging the other day. Does anybody reckon it would be worth wearing my snowboard boots for extra stopping power? Does anybody recommend wearing ski-trousers rather than jeans?

(i'm a sledge novice)

You're stating the obvious. Unless you're a sledmeister, you'll be using your feet to steer. Your Mui Mui stilettos just ain't gunna cut it. I would also wear waterproofs, cos half the fun is ending up face-down in snow between the trees. Remember you're are on a mountain, and only an egg-faced loon wears jeans on the mountain in winter.

The Engelberg run is pretty good and they hire sledges on the day.

dave

I use my snowboarding pants for the waterproofness and warmth, jeans are useless really. My goretex hiking boots are good as well, waterproof, ankle support and a much sharper heel to dig in for braking and cornering.

Though I imagine there is a whole range of sledging specific clothing available. The Swiss like any excuse to buy more "technical" clothing

a sled? i don't know where to buy a sled. but why not a snowboard? you can find new snowboards at beachmountain, snowboard garage, etc. or a good used one at snowboardflohmarkt. sleds are too dangerous dude...! and after 1/2 hour kids get bored of dragging "da thing" around. merry X

"Gays on trays " ?

Seriously though sleds have a number of advantages: Minimal learning curve, minimal gear to lug around. *CHEAP* Ideal for visitors over for the weekend without the time, gear or inclination to learn boarding or skiing.
Sleds are great for kids too. Oh and compared with a ski pass, its *CHEAP*

Sleds allow you do have fun in the snow spontaneously on a resort visit with just the gear you're stood up in. (Not jeans )

dave

Hey Guys

I've only be skiing once in my life and this time i didn't see any sledding going on.
So what i'm wondering is (and this is probably a stupid question for most of you) but do people just take their sleds to the same mountains where people go skiing/snowboarding? Do people ski/sled side by side down a mountain?? hope this is not as stupid as it sounds!

Nah , don't share the pistes. Most resorts have purpose built runs, often over several km. You get the chairlift or cable car up, bomb down the mountain along the dedicated path. Think bobsleigh-run without the huge ice banks and lycra. You can pay per run (including sled cost), so you don't even have to pull a sled around.

dave

Nice one. Would make a big change from sledding in ireland. (going down a small slope in a fireld with little snow on a plastic bag)

Perhaps we could have a sledging day as a social event. These pre-built runs sound like fun although my boss told me that they have made them a little tamer of late. I'd be up for a day of sledging once the snow comes. Anyone else?

Skiing is a whole lot easier (and snowbboard even more so). A day's sledging somewhere like Flumserberg will kill you...

Last winter we were told a statistic that 60% of over thirties that go sledging injure themselves. This was after my husband turned up at work on crutches due to tearing the ligaments in his rght knee sledging .

Ah ok. Well maybe not then. Or maybe at the end of season to give my ligaments a chance to recover.

The long sledge runs are actually really good fun. I did one in Grindelwald which was 8km long through a forrest, the only light was from the moon. We were all half cut from the Glüwine we had drank at the top and had the best time. Looking back at it with a sober head it was bloody dangerous. Of course that didn't stop me doing it again .

Alcohol is also a great muscle relaxant so probably lowers the chance of you pulling something.

http://www.braunwald.ch/de/navpage-W...BKT-48890.html
Great place to sledge or if not Elm.

DC

Does anyone know where to get a sled near Grindelwald if the normal rental place is not open?

It has not been open for a week and I want to go and try on Sunday