By Don Lawrence
Centennial’s snowy winter landscapes offer countless forms of recreation from skiing and snowshoeing to ice skating and snowmobiling. But there’s a lesser-known activity that’s gaining popularity across the country: kicksledding.
Extremely popular in Scandinavia since the late 1800s, it’s now finding a home in Canada where outdoor enthusiasts are discovering its charm as a fun, eco-friendly way to explore the
great outdoors.
A kicksled is a lightweight, chair-like sled typically made of wood or aluminum, with runners that can glide over snow and ice. The rider stands behind the chair holding onto the handlebars and
propels the sled forward by kicking one foot against the ground – much like riding a scooter on snow.
Growing in popularity
Unlike snowmobiles or other motorized winter vehicles, kicksleds are completely human-powered and don’t require fuel, fees or special clothing, and don’t harm the environment.
As a winter exercise for people of all ages, kicksledding utilizes all the muscle groups and provides excellent cardiovascular benefits. It’s a low-impact sport, excellent for cross-training. And when you get tired, just stop, sit on the kick sled’s seat, and relax. The perfect winter lawn chair!
It’s great for seniors, teens and children. The chair-like seat can be used to carry small kids, gear, or even pets! Many people who have dogs that like to run and are medium or large can pull the sled with a good harness and line hooked to the front bar, creating a fun bonding experience for both owner and pet.
Kicksledding is more than just a fun activity – it’s a way to connect with nature, embrace sustainable travel, and enjoy the beauty of Canadian winter. Whether you’re gliding across a frozen pond, exploring a forest trail, or really anywhere with long stretches of flat snowy terrain, you can share the experience and enjoy a new and unique way to make the most of winter.
So when you start to see more people of all ages kicking and gliding around on strange carriages in our area, it probably means this age-old Scandinavian tradition has arrived.