A toboggan sled is a flat-bottomed sled design used in mushing where the entire underside of the sled contacts the snow, rather than riding on two separate runners like a basket sled. The front of the toboggan curves upward to glide over snow rather than digging into it.
The main advantage of a toboggan sled is flotation. Because the weight is spread across a larger surface area, toboggans perform exceptionally well in deep, soft, or powdery snow where a runner-based sled might sink. They also tend to be more stable on rough or uneven terrain, as there is no gap between runners for the sled to twist or tip.
Toboggan sleds are particularly popular in regions with heavy snowfall, in bush and backcountry travel, and in some Scandinavian racing traditions. They are also commonly used for freight hauling and touring where carrying capacity and stability matter more than top speed. On hard-packed trails, however, toboggans create more friction than runner sleds and are generally slower. Many competitive mushers choose their sled type based on expected trail conditions, and some carry both styles to adapt to changing terrain during a long race.