What winter camping resources are available?

Princeton Univ Outdoor Action Winter Camping Winter Trekking Winter Campers Guided Trips – Glacier Adventure Guides Winter Camping Symposium– Great winter camping event filled with speakers and classes on a variety of winter topics Pulk Builder’s Site Spencer has a great Pulk related website with good info on building a pulk with conduit poles.

What other winter camping gear is available?

Grand Shelters / Ice Box Igloo Tool

Igloos make the most comfortable and longest lasting winter wilderness shelters. They are our favorite winter shelter when we are in the mountains. Check out this great tool for making igloos: (picture coming soon)

Four Dog Stove

If you are looking for a well crafted heat source for your tent, look to Four Dog Stoves for the answer. Four Dog builds light weight titanium and metal stoves as well as a small titanium bushcooker if you are a weight conscious traveler. Check out their website for more gear and wilderness skills information.

Empire Canvas Crafted Winter Parkas and Anoraks

Ed used to be called the “Cotton Cop” by friends for his diligence in keeping cotton out of his friends winter wardrobe. Then he was schooled in the use of cotton and other traditional fabrics in the outer layer of winter garments by the teachings of Bill Mason, and more directly from Kevin Kinney of Empire Canvas. Check out his incredibly crafted outer garments.

Snow Trekker Tents

We are experienced in all the styles of winter camping from snow trenches and quinzees to tarps. Each has its good points. Winter cold tent camping leaves a lot to be desired but hot tent camping offers the benefit of a hot evening to recuperate from the brutal cold, and most importantly to dry your clothing layers. For the best in hot tenting- you have to check out Snow Trekker Tents.

What’s the difference between the Harness Bottom and the Hip Belt?

We offer three styles of harnesses for Paris and Snowclipper pulks:  the Hip Belt, Harness Bottom and Full Harness.  Most of the components (foam/ cover/ pole attachment system) are the same. The biggest difference between the Hip Belt and Harness Bottom is in the buckles that are added. The Hip Belt with Day Pack Attachments is our simplest hip belt.  Use it if you always pull your pulk with some kind of backpack or if your system will be used by many different people like a rental operation. This harness has straps that allow you to attach the harness to any backpack or hydration system.

These straps also help prevent the hip belt from sliding down your butt and give your shoulders the chance to help with the pull a little.

The Harness Bottom is the most versatile choice.  It comes standard with detachable leg loops which are popular with those who prefer to help keep the belt from riding up off their hips onto their waist (especially women).  On this harness we have replaced the day pack attachment straps with four buckles that can be used to attach our shoulder straps (or to make your own).  These top buckles also make it quite easy to create your own custom strap to go from the harness to your day pack.

Why can’t you estimate my shipping at checkout?

Our pulks are irregular and oversized. To give you the best shipping rates, we have to call in to various carriers for estimates. It’s worth it, we promise! It ends up saving our customers nearly 50% on shipping costs.

Can I just order parts?

We sell nearly all the items that you need to build pulk poles, except the proprietary pole couplers. Other than couplers and the fiberglass wands, the parts needed to build poles will be found in the channel sets and emergency parts packs. Note: We are unable to sell any of our pulk sleds by themselves except to existing customers who have purchased a system from us and need to replace or upgrade an old or damaged sled.

Do poles come assembled?

All pole sets come completely assembled. If your order does not include the sled, you will have to install the hardware that comes with the pole set onto your sled. All systems that include a sled are assembled and ready to go!

What is the difference between a sled and a skipulk?

Pulks are made up of a sled, poles (traces) and a harness. (A sled is one of the components.) A ski pulk is a pulk specifically designed for skiers who need excellent control on downhill sections. Our ski pulks are also designed to prevent injury or equipment failure due to falls (which are common with skiing down hills). They can also be called sledges, gear sleds, and nordic sleds.

How does the Snowclipper cover work?

The Snowclipper cover is made up of two covers. The first is a large Shurelast polyester cover with a full length zipper and mitten pulls, and the second a reversible compression cover that works similar to a compression stuff bag. (It compacts the load and reduces the risk of rollover.) The compression cover sits over the first allowing bulky items like snowshoes, skis, snowboards, and more, to be carried between the two or both covers can be removed in seconds for the option of hauling firewood.

Should I purchase the Paris or Snowclipper?

The best sled for your adventures depends on your activities. Both systems are about the same size in terms of cargo space and use the same harnesses and poles. Both also perform very well in a variety of conditions, and you can’t go wrong with either choice! Differences include:

  • The Paris Sled is a general purpose sled that is about 4 lbs or so lighter and less expensive than the Snowclipper. It is durable enough to last for a couple years of hard use.
  • We designed the Snowclipper specifically as a pulk sled. Like a kayak, it is created from rotational molding. It is much more durable with over twice as much plastic on the bottom (this is at the expense of the extra 4 lbs). It also does not have the wide rims of the Paris which can hang up on brush if you do a lot of bushwacking.
  • The Snowclipper has slots that make it easy to add dividers or backrests for kids.
  • The Snowclipper has the option to add covers. Instead of a cover, most Paris sled fans use packs, duffels or a burrito wrap with a tarp.
  • The most popular difference is the retractable fins on the Snowclipper. These allow you to deploy or retract the fins without removing your gear from the sled. (The fin option on the Paris systems are removable but you have to take out your gear first.)