"Simply sledding!" - "Sledding made easy?"
Safe sledding.
Sledding is not a difficult sport if you know how to do it.
How do I ride a toboggan?
Lying face down on the sled and off you go? Absolutely not!
Lying on your stomach makes it impossible to brake and increases the risk of head injuries!
A toboggan can be ridden straight ahead in a "sitting" or "lying" position:
How do I steer a toboggan?
There are differences in how you steer a swiveling toboggan and a rigid sled/toboggan . Basically, with all toboggans, you steer by shifting your weight to the inside of the curve and using your legs.
Below you can see the difference between the simple steering technique (steering a rigid sled/toboggan) and the sporty steering technique (steering a movable toboggan).
Tip:
- Anyone who has ever tried riding a steerable toboggan will immediately notice the difference and really feel the carving motion in the curves.
- Hiking up to the hut is also important to familiarize yourself with the route (the curves) and to react in time at tricky sections. And hiking up is highly recommended for fitness!
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easy steering
The simplest way to steer a toboggan involves taking the following movements into account:
By shifting weight to the inside of a turn. The upper body, including the arm, leans towards the inside of the turn ("in the direction I want to go"). The hand touches the snow.
The steering rope is held in the middle.
The inner foot stays on the snow (as when braking) and the outer leg pushes (in the ankle area) the outer runner inwards .
Tip - Remember the following movements when steering simply:
- Weight shift inwards (hand on the snow !)
- Hold the steering cable
- outer leg pushes runner inwards
- Instep remains on snow
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sporty steering
Sporty tobogganers steer a (movable) toboggan by shifting their weight to the inside of a curve. This involves leaning the upper body inwards and extending the arm towards the inside of the curve (hand lightly on the snow). The steering rope assists the steering: the outside hand holds the rope on the inside of the sled , pulling the inside runner upwards. The outside leg pushes the outside runner inwards or downwards (at the ankle). The inside leg remains in the air (knee slightly raised) and lightly touching the runner.
Tip - When steering in a sporty manner, remember the following movements:
- Weight shift inwards
- Tighten steering cable on the inside
- outer leg pushes runner inwards
- Inner leg rests loosely against the horn
How do I brake a toboggan?
To brake , you sit up before a curve and press both feet with the entire sole of your shoe close to the runners onto the ground.
Always keep a firm grip on the steering rope with one hand !
Tip:
For sledding, use sturdy shoes with good tread and ideally also braking aids (e.g. "Iron Brakes") with spikes for safe braking!
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brakes
- To brake , place the skis on the ground and press both soles flat against the floor next to the skis.
- At least one hand is always firmly gripping the steering rope.
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Emergency braking
- To brake , place the skis on the ground and press both soles flat against the floor next to the skis.
- Both hands hold the steering rope and pull it firmly upwards .
- By pulling firmly upwards and pressing the soles of the feet firmly onto the ground.
You lift the sled at the front so that the rear part of the sled runner presses into the snow at the back and helps to brake.
Interested in proper and safe sledding?
