The concept

The Inuit Windsled Project  is the creation of a true sailing boat for navigating in the plateaus of Greenland and Antarctica, taking advantage of the incredible power that traction kites do have.

The type of sled, the fact of sleeping over the sled and while moving, and the overall simplicity of the sled is the result of the experiences and deep learning that Ramon Larramendi had while making The Circumpolar Expedition dogsledding, in which he traveled 14,000 km from Greenland to Alaska inuit way along 3 years between 1990 and 1993.

During this journey, Ramón had the opportunity to learn from many Inuit hunters across Greenland, Canada, and Alaska, gaining invaluable knowledge, techniques, and philosophies. This wisdom forms the foundation and essence of the Inuit Windsled and is the reason why it is called Inuit Windsled. The project bears this name as a tribute and recognition of the ingenuity and wisdom of the Arctic’s native peoples and their millennia-old knowledge.

The concepts of simplicity and self-reliance are critical for survival in the Arctic and are embedded in every detail of the Inuit Windsled. The core principle is that every element must be as simple and repairable as physically possible. Originally, the idea was that even if all the sled’s components were to break apart, they could be fixed in the field, allowing the journey to continue until the next destination.

The Inuit Windsled can transport up to 3,000 kg—and potentially 3,500 kg—including eight people, while traveling thousands of kilometers in total autonomy. It can also accommodate several hundred kilos of scientific equipment.

This extreme simplicity makes the concept completely sustainable. Arguably, it is the most sustainable vehicle that can be built for traveling in the remote regions of Antarctica and Greenland—not only producing zero emissions but also being constructed primarily from wood, a renewable resource. With very few components requiring mining or intensive industrial processing, the sled has the lowest possible environmental impact.

The simplicity and reliability are critical for the exploration of the remotest corners of the Arctic and Antarctica. Where it is extremely difficult and costly to ask for help.

The concept is highly economical while also being extremely durable, minimizing costs to the absolute minimum.

Another key aspect is its logistical simplicity. The entire sled can be folded and reduced to a very compact size, allowing it to be transported in small planes and stored in minimal space. This not only reduces costs but also minimizes the use of resources for transportation to and within Antarctica, as well as for storage.

For lightweight tasks and long traverses in the most remote corners of Greenland and Antarctica, the Inuit Windsled offers the most suitable concept due to its numerous advantages. It represents a completely new way of exploring, maintaining human presence, and collecting data.