sleigh

A sleigh is a vehicle designed for travel on snow and ice, supported by two long runners and drawn by people or draft animals. Sleighs are built to glide over snow with minimal resistance and to be steered from a seated position. They have been used in cold regions for transportation, mail delivery, and freight.

Construction ranges from simple wooden sleighs to elaborately decorated passenger models. Typical features include a framework of wood or metal, a seating area or cargo box, and runners that reduce friction. In Arctic and subarctic areas, reindeer or dogs may pull sleighs, while in Europe and North America horses or other draft animals are common. Sleighing also serves recreational and ceremonial purposes, with teams offering guided rides in winter parks or resorts.

Sleighs are distinguished from sleds (or sledges) by their runners and steering arrangements; however, regional usage varies and some sources treat sleighs, sleds, and sledges as overlapping terms. In general, a sleigh implies a larger vehicle intended for passengers or heavier loads, while a sled is a lighter, flat-bottomed platform.

In popular culture, Santa Claus’s sleigh is a well-known symbol of Christmas gift delivery. Today, sleighs continue to appear in winter tourism, historical reenactments, and as collectible or ceremonial vehicles.