How to Build a Sled

Wondering how to build a sled for the winter season? With these simple DIY snow sled plans, you can build the perfect gift for the holidays.

By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk
Updated on October 6, 2022
article image
courtesy of NATHAN HAM PHOTOGRAPHY
The steering rudder on this wooden sled also acts as a brake.

Wondering how to build a sled for the winter season? With these simple DIY snow sled plans, you can build the perfect gift for the holidays.

This nifty wooden ski sled combines the speed and agility of a steel-runner sled with the comfort and deep-snow running ability of a toboggan, making it a good choice for gentle golf courses or moderate slopes. And, unlike most sleds, this model comes with a unique rudder that allows you to steer and brake. What’s more, this sled is big enough to seat two kids comfortably or a parent-child team. The wooden sled would make a truly fine holiday gift for your favorite child. With the exception of the skis, this is a relatively easy screw-and-glue project. The sled can be built in about two weekends, and half that is making the forms needed to create the curved skis. Once they are finished, you can easily knock out the sled in a weekend.

The sled is based on a design I found in The Boy Mechanic a wonderful set of books published in 1913. The original design called for barrel stave runners. Since old wooden barrels are as rare as hen’s teeth these days, I had to make a few modifications.

To make the curved ski runners, you’ll use a process called “bent lamination,” which involves gluing together several thin strips of wood to form a curved board. The process uses a lot of clamps and glue, but it’s much easier (and safer) than steam-bending, the technique that’s traditionally used to make toboggans. I used ash, a hardwood that has excellent bending properties, but you could use red or white oak. Don’t be afraid to change these dimensions as needed. I’m sure the original boy mechanics didn’t hesitate to use available stock.

You can download free sled plans and detailed drawings of the runners and rudder.

Materials List

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