Great post Bacpac. Nice to get the kids out on a winter day.

As for the sled problems, check out this Pulk Sled from Jason Klass. Be sure to watch the imbedded YT video on the page. Too bad his blog is all but abandoned as Jason had some great gear ideas and reviews.

I made a Pulk Sled based on his design and it works great. But with the utter lack of snow this year in the local mountains, it is in storage in the in-laws garage However, next time we get over that way, I will dig it out and take some pics. You can also Google for Pulk Sled ideas and you will find budget build designs up to several hundred dollar expedition designs.

Canadian Tire used to carry a better sled then the one you have and is what I based my Pulk Sled on. IIRC, it was $29.00 but I do not see it on their website but it may be in stores.

In the meantime, to prevent baby from sliding on the plastic, a small carpeted top with rubber bottom door mat to put in the bottom of the sled will help. A bit of creativity with a cheap fastex or cam lock webbing strap along with a drill and small bolts, nuts and washers to secure the webbing strap to the sides of the sled will also keep baby from sliding around. Think of it as a sled seat belt.

Finally, try waxing the bottom of the sled, even with a couple of applications of cheap Turtle wax will make a big difference in terms of less drag through the snow.
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Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.

John Lubbock