Best snow toys snapped up

James Bond style: take to the snow in a snowmobile

Sales of toboggans are soaring and some have sold out as Britain is braced for some snow to sledge on.

Temperatures in London and the South East are expected to plunge to freezing overnight with a widespread frost with the possibility of some snow showers tomorrow and more, perhaps heavier snow, on Thursday.

Harrods has already sold out of its £15,000 four-person Bombardier snowmobile - which can reach a top speed of 120mph.

It does, however, still have a £2,999 junior version - though as it is designed for children it comes with a somewhat less racy top speed of eight mph.

Habitat ran out of its retro-styled models before Christmas while the London Toy Company has already sold its first batch of sledges and expects to shift the delivery arriving today or tomorrow almost as soon as it receives them.

One of the company's owners, Gerhard Reisepatt, said the old-fashioned sledge remains as popular as ever.

"There are always sales even in mild winters," he explained. "But as soon as there is a prospect of snow, people can't get enough of them. This week has been really brisk."

For most people sledging should be about gravity and ice rather than engines and horse power.

Tom De-La-Hunty, head coach and performance director of the British Bobsleigh Association, has cast his expert eye over a selection of sledges (see panel right).

And, much as he likes toys like the snowmobile, his personal preference is very much of the old school.

He said: "I'm a sad old git. I've got a German wooden toboggan dating from 1902. It's got beautiful steel runners."

Mr De-La-Hunty also recommends a novel alternative to the pauper's traditional bin liner or tin tray: wok sledging.

"You sit on a wok with two smaller woks on your feet and off you go," he said. "It's complete madness but a great laugh.

"Whatever you sledge on, the main thing is to get out and enjoy the snow. It's not just about chaos on the roads, it's about having fun."

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