Guide
What to bring sledding
Layers, a helmet, a steerable sled and dry spares. Each item below links to the group that says so.
Most of a good sledding trip is decided at home: dry layers, a sled you can steer, and a plan for when fingers go numb. Here's a packing list, with the reason for each item and who says so.
Wear
- Several thin layers, not one thick one. The American Academy of Pediatrics says thin layers keep kids warm and dry, and that boots, mittens or gloves, and a hat are essential. AAP, HealthyChildren.org
- Waterproof outer layer and wool, not cotton, underneath. Dayton Children's Hospital suggests wool or similar inner layers and waterproof pants and jackets on top. Dayton Children's
- No scarf. Dayton Children's points out a scarf can get caught in a sled. A neck gaiter does the job without the loose ends. Dayton Children's
- A helmet. The AAP says to consider one for sledding. Dayton Children's says a winter sports helmet is ideal, and a bike helmet beats nothing. AAP Dayton Children's
- Bright colors. Easier to spot on a busy hill, per Dayton Children's. Dayton Children's
Pack
- Spare mittens and socks. Wet clothing raises the risk of hypothermia, and Dayton Children's says to change wet socks and mittens. Dayton Children's
- A snack. Also from Dayton Children's: eating before going out gives kids energy and body heat. Dayton Children's
- A sled you can steer. The AAP points families to steerable sleds over snow disks and inner tubes. A study in Pediatrics found traumatic brain injuries were more likely with snow tubes than with other sled types. AAP Pediatrics, 2010
- The status line or hours for your hill. Some hills post a number or hours. Our hill pages list them where a source does, and say "not stated by source" where it doesn't.
Check before you leave
- Wind chill. The AAP says to avoid outdoor play when temperatures or wind chills are below minus 15°F. AAP
- Whether the hill is open. Several park systems close hills for thin snow or ice. Cook County's Forest Preserves, for one, list a minimum of 6 inches of snow at Swallow Cliff. See that listing.
For the bigger picture: the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated 124,700 winter sports injuries in emergency rooms in 2022, and 10% involved toboggans, sleds and snow discs. CPSC, 2024
More guides
- Sledding with little kids
- Lit sledding hills
- Where to sled near San Diego
- Where to sled near Los Angeles
- Where to sled near Orange County
- Where to sled near Riverside
- Where to sled near San Bernardino
- Where to sled near Palm Springs
- Where to sled near Temecula
- Where to sled near Bakersfield
- Where to sled near Santa Barbara
- Where to sled near Ventura and Oxnard
- Where to sled near Lancaster and Palmdale
- Where to sled near Santa Clarita
- Where to sled near Phoenix
- Where to sled near Tucson
- Where to sled near Las Vegas
- Where to sled near Sacramento
- Where to sled near San Francisco
- Where to sled near San Jose
- Where to sled near Fresno
- Where to sled near Albuquerque
- Where to sled near El Paso
- Where to sled near Seattle
- Where to sled near Portland
- Snowiest US cities ranked by free sledding hills
- Sledding FAQ
- Hills near a ZIP code
Short answers
Do kids need a helmet for sledding?
The AAP says to consider a helmet. Dayton Children's says a winter sports helmet is ideal and a bike helmet is better than none.
Are snow tubes a good choice for kids?
The AAP points families to steerable sleds instead of disks or tubes. A Pediatrics study found traumatic brain injuries were more likely with snow tubes.
Updated