"The next morning, we had a hard time pulling the sled through 2 ft of powder. It took me a good 3 hours to travel 1/4 mile. The sled did not float at all."

Thanks, I've been trying to warn people that home made sleds and any heavy sled becomes an anchor in fresh snow. This happened to me about 2 miles in one January. My friend broke trail and I dragged the sled behind her and my tracks, but it wasn't enough. It was a drag...

Looks like you had a good time though. Maybe get those kids some photography lessons.
Jim