The word "sled" first appeared in the Russian language and later spread to Latvian, Hungarian, and Romanian. The most common theory about the origin of "sled" is that it derives from "san'," which meant "snake." The trail left by the runners of the sled was compared to the path of this reptile. Sleds were an improved version of the "volokushka"—a structure made of two poles tied together. The back ends dragged on the ground, while the front ends were tied to an animal: a dog, horse, ox, or reindeer. This means of transportation was not only used in northern regions. In Ancient Egypt, a similar structure was an essential part of funeral rites: the deceased was transported on a volokushka pulled by oxen. In Northern Europe and Scandinavia, sleds with sails appeared in the 17th century. These were used to travel across frozen lakes and canals, for example, on the Grand Canal in Versailles, which turned into an ice rink during winter. In Russia, sleds were considered a more prestigious means of transportation than wheeled carts. Until the early 18th century, nobles and high-ranking clergy would attend special ceremonies in sleds, even in summer. The quality of roads in pre-Petrine Russia was poor, and in some places, they didn’t exist at all. Thus, sleds were, on the one hand, convenient and, on the other hand, cheap. In swampy and forested regions such as the Vologda, Arkhangelsk, and Kostroma governorates, sleds were preferred over other forms of transport until the 20th century. Over time, sled design improved: from crossed poles, they transformed into a boat-like structure with curved runners. Usually, a single horse was harnessed to the sled, ridden by a coachman. The sleds reflected the owner's social status. The most lavishly decorated sleds were, of course, the tsar's. For example, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich's sleds, designed for one person, could accommodate two boyars standing at the back and two courtiers seated near the tsar on special steps. In Russia, sleds also played a significant role in many traditions. For instance, the bride rode to the church in a sled and was later taken to her new home, accompanied by her husband, also in a sled. Sleds were an essential part of the main winter festival—Maslenitsa. Each village built icy slides—rides began on the first day of Maslenitsa week: children would slide down on "ciunki," small sleds for kids. By midweek, adults of all ages joined in. A folk belief said that the farther you slid, the longer the flax would grow that year. At least once, newlyweds had to slide down from the hill. During the festivities, bachelors looked for brides: if you slid down with a girl on your lap, you could kiss her. People slid down in groups: some on sleds, others on mats, or in wicker baskets with icy bottoms—a precursor to modern sledding discs. The most thrilling rides were Maslenitsa village sledding on large sleds that could hold up to 10 people with a "steersman" at the front. Horses were harnessed to these sleds, adorned with ribbons and bells. The rides lasted about five hours, with breaks for feasting and singing. After Maslenitsa week, winter fun, including sledding from hills, didn’t stop. With the arrival of spring, until the next snowfall, children's sleds were hung on walls in the hallway. Sledding became the main winter pastime during Peter I's reign, who decreed that New Year be celebrated on January 1, like other European states, instead of September 1. With the new date, winter holidays extended significantly—providing an excellent reason to sled down icy hills without waiting for Maslenitsa.