Français | English

GoSlide.ca

kicksledding

Discover the outdoor activity that millions of Finns and Scandinavians love. Enjoy the pleasure of winter with a kicksled. Learn to use a kicksled in just a few minutes and take the whole family for winter outings. 

 

Kicksledding is perfect for the Canadian outdoors. Great cardio exercise, kicksledding is an alternative to cross-country skiing for those who like a little more stability on snow or ice. It's also the perfect family sport!

It's well suited for fitness training or just getting around outside in winter. Kicksledding works the muscles in the lower back and in the back of the thighs. You can use it on compacted snow or ice. 

On bare ice or icy cross-country skiing paths you can travel at astonishing speeds with a kicksled. It's is also great for the environment since it doesn't create pollution or noise. Kicksledding is fun for everyone since it's so easy to learn.

Hand made in Finland since 1933 by the largest kicksled maker in the world ESLA. This product has a proven track record!

  

 

WHO CAN USE A KICKSLED?

Anyone aged 3 to 93 years.

  • Families who want to go on winter outings.
  • Dog owners who want to use it as a dog sled.
  • People who want to train outdoors. It's an alternative to cross-country skiing.
  • Cottage owners who want to travel on frozen lakes or roads.
  • Ice fishermen who want to travel on ice and carry their gear on the seat and then have a place to sit when fishing.
  • Elderly people who need more stability on snow or ice.
  • Disabled people use it as a winter wheelchair to enjoy the outdoors.

 

HOW TO USE A KICKSLED?

Don't worry if your technique isn't perfect. After a few minutes practice anybody can get a hang of it. Relax and keep your weight on your supporting foot. Don't put your weight on the kicking foot or or on your hands. Adjust the tempo as you travel and stop and walk for a while if you need a break.

Here are a few basics to keep in mind:

  • Push the sled with one leg like you do with a scooter and kick economically, avoiding unnecessary movements. It is a pendulum movement. When done correctly, you will only work the muscles that do the kicking. 
  • Don't put all of your weight on the kick sled handles. Keep your weight on your supporting leg and don't lean on your hands.
  • Change the supporting leg often. A good rhythm is about five kicks with the same leg. When changing legs, stand on both runners for a while and keep looking forward.
  • To turn, put your weight on one side, and turn the handle. The kicksled is very flexible and will not break when you turn the handle. The flexibity of the runners allows the driver to steer the kicksled by twisting the handlebars.
  • Let the sled slide. Use long kicks and enjoy the ride :-)
  • For braking you can either drag one foot in the snow or you can dig your heels in the snow or you can add a kicksled brake. When going downhill best control is maintained by using your heels to brake. Always be sure to keep your sled at a controllable speed.
  • For better control on the ice, remove the plastic runners from the steel runners. Also use crampons under the boots for better traction.

Caution. Don't use the kicksled on steep slopes as the sled can quickly reach a surprisingly high speed. Do not let children use the sled without the control of an adult.

How to choose the right size of kicksled?

You must choose your kicksled according to your feeling of comfort. If you prefer to have your back raised to admire the landscape, do not choose a kicksled too low and if you prefer to have a rather sporty position with your back bent, do not choose a model with a handlebar that is too high.

If you use a traditional kicksled as a dog sled your back will be mostly straight so we suggest using the T6 model if you are under 5'8 " or the T7 model if you are between 5'7" and 6'1 ". For very tall people, we recommend the T8 model.

The Kickspark Max model and the ESLA Adventure are height adjustable.

Kicksled size chart

Please note that the size chart is indicative.

The size of a kicksled is chosen based on the height of the person who is going to kick or to push the sled, their weight does not matter.

Equipment and maintenance:

It does not require any special maintenance or additional equipment such as bindings or boots. No waxing required!

Caution. Don't use your kicksled on roads or sidewalks covered with road salts and abrasives, the kicksled will not slip and the abrasives will scratch the plastic runners which will considerably reduce their lifespan.


Store your kicksled safe from weather to extend the life of components.