As a backcountry ski guide way back when, Patrick found himself having to haul in huge loads - camping gear, food and sometimes his client's gear. Loads that made ordinary pack carrying unwieldy and dangerous.
The conventional approach to solving this at the time was an off-the-shelf kid's sled. A cheap solution, yes. Effective? No. For obvious reasons, they were trashed within days, they were unstable, and control was impossible.

Enter the "Smith Sled" as it was called then, and the creation of Mountainsmith.

The Smith Sled had a rugged, unbreakable hull, beefy runners for better tracking, and a rigid connection between skier and sled for impeccable control. Suddenly, they were being used for major expeditions and child hauling alike - opening up a new world for winter adventurers and granting parents the freedom to enjoy the same liberties they had before.

So important were these sleds, that they came with us upon the formation of Kifaru. Hunters and military alike took to them for the same reasons that mountaineers and parents did.

Patrick Smith's first product sparked the creation of so much more, and is still with us all these years later for a reason.

Some Tips for sledding with kids.
Warmth. Children cool off faster than adults, and while in a sled, they’re not working at all. Synthetic clothing, like polypro, is a good choice because it keeps them warm even if they get wet. Insulated snow boots are also recommended. Balaclave style hats are a must, and extra warmth can be attained by putting the child in a sleeping bag. You might also want to attach any “losable” items like mittens.

Fluids. Keep your passengers well fueled and watered. Calories are being burnt up just to stay warm - and simply breathing in cold conditions is enough to keep a child thirsty. Stop often and tank up.

Recreation. Don’t forget to bring the child’s skis along - they’re not going to let you have all the fun! Rest stops and lunch are good times to introduce skiing. Bring along a favorite toy or book, too.

Installing the Kids' components, view our printable instructions