# Let's go sledding! What do you choose? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 19, 2020, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184 "2020-02-19T17:33:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/1 "2020-02-19T17:33:20Z")
You find yourself at the top of a massive snowy hill. No trees or other obstacles in the way, it’s just hill and soft snow. Behind you is a collection of various types of recreational sledding devices. What do you choose? (links are example images) [Classic runner sled](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/The_Childrens_Museum_of_Indianapolis_-_Sled.jpg) [Traditional wood toboggan](https://cdn2.ahalife.com/assets/uncategorized-new/11077227-original.jpg) [Plastic toboggan](https://images.esellerpro.com/2407/I/552/97/Red%20Sledge.jpg) [Snow tube](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81bLMEuYXDL._SL1500_.jpg) [Saucer sled](https://static.turbosquid.com/Preview/000370/985/QK/winter-saucer-sled-obj_D.jpg) [Airboard](https://www.getdatgadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Airboard-4.jpg) (an inflatable bodyboard) [A cardboard box](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2745/4457599626_dffdc16163_z.jpg) [Cardboard sheet](https://maestrasilvia.altervista.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cartone.jpg) Something else ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/2 "2020-02-19T17:41:25Z")
I’m kind of partial to the snow tube. Maybe the saucer. I like the total lack of control, and that it will spin around. Growing up we generally just borrowed whatever anyone would lend us, or we just went with the cardboard. It worked fine. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/3 "2020-02-19T17:43:40Z")
_I’m just going to go wait in the lodge for you guys to finish_ I got, you know, bones and shit. I’ll be sipping some cocoa. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/4 "2020-02-19T17:58:27Z")
I spent my childhood sledding on a piece of cardboard box, and I see no reason to change now. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/5 "2020-02-19T18:00:38Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > _I’m just going to go wait in the lodge for you guys to finish_ > > I got, you know, bones and shit. I’ll be sipping some cocoa. Hey, don’t Bogart that hot chocolate! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/6 "2020-02-19T18:01:46Z")
Skis. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/7 "2020-02-19T18:02:56Z")
If I had my way I’d use a plastic toboggan but one with levers that you can use to steer so you don’t have to rely on your hands and balance. I’ve never used a runner sled to see if they steer as well or are as comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/8 "2020-02-19T18:20:44Z")
I’m just going to go wait in the lodge for you guys to finish My gf owns skis and all the accoutrements. I’ll drive with her to Seven Springs, but I spend the day in The Foggy Goggle. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/9 "2020-02-19T19:55:14Z")
I grew up using a classic runner sled but you forgot a whole category, the [foam sled](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Flexible-Flyer-Snow-Rocket-Foam-Sled-Plastic-SNO-Slider-Bobsled-New/274152188630?hash=item3fd4be6ad6:g:~CEAAOSwRiJd--~y) which is what I’d probably use for downhill…unless I’m out on the trails in snowshoes. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/10 "2020-02-19T21:02:18Z")
snow tubing is fun, with a rope tow up the hill- can get some speed up and gotta clear way at the bottom o fthe hill. but to go outside today and take one pass down my hill, it’s magic cardboard ride - that’s it!~ ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/11 "2020-02-19T21:15:40Z")
When I was a kid we had a metal saucer sled. The neighbor kids had a classic runner sled. Their runner sled always went farther than our saucer, therefore I choose the runner sled. I suspect a good coat of wax on the bottom of the saucer might have improved its performance, though. Now I live in California so I have to drive up to the mountains if I want to go sledding. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/12 "2020-02-19T21:17:29Z")
A plastic food tray from the university commons like we did in college. Man, those things could fly! The real challenge was to stand on it and try to stay upright while rocketing down that steep slope just down from the dorm. ---
**Author:** ![Tilt-A-Whirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e79b87/32.png) [@Tilt-A-Whirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tilt-A-Whirl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/13 "2020-02-19T21:52:48Z")
Snow Tube all the way! They’re comfortable, cushion bumps, and due to their large surface area, they can glide over types of snow that lesser sledding options get bogged down in. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/14 "2020-02-19T21:53:59Z")
No love for shovels? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/15 "2020-02-19T21:58:14Z")
I’ve pretty much only ever used the plastic toboggan and my kids have followed suit. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/16 "2020-02-19T21:58:32Z")
When I was a kid in the SF Bay Area, we’d slide down the dead-brown-grass-covered hills on flattened cardboard boxes. I’ve paid my dues. I’ll be in the lodge with a nice, dark ale. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/17 "2020-02-19T23:53:34Z")
I voted “something else” because you haven’t lived (or maybe died) until you’ve tried sliding down an icy hill on a large cafeteria tray. Chances of ending up with the tray still under you are pretty slim. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/18 "2020-02-20T00:00:16Z")
I live a slow life. Speeding down a hill of icy stuff doesn’t seem prudent (:)) Move over **Burpo** , you don’t own the lodge sofa! ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/19 "2020-02-20T00:05:08Z")
I voted “something else” – I want a Slalom Lenkung Schobob ski bike, the kind used by The Beatles in _Help!_ ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184/20 "2020-02-20T00:13:12Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I live a slow life. Speeding down a hill of icy stuff doesn’t seem prudent (:)) > Move over **Burpo** , you don’t own the lodge sofa! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, goway, leemeelone. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-go-sledding-what-do-you-choose/848184.md?page=2)