Taking on the Ultimate Sled Challenge

At Northern Toboggan Co, we've always prided ourselves on crafting sleds that stand the test of time and terrain.

Our sleds are more than just wood, hardware, and rope; they're a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and are built to handle the unforgiving winters of Northern Minnesota. But even for us, there's been a customer who pushes the boundaries of what we thought possible: a winter transport service whose demands are as relentless as the icy winds of the Arctic.

Bigger and Stronger

For the past few years, my friend Gregg has come to us with the same challenge each year, yet always with a twist: "Can you build it bigger, build it stronger, I’m going to beat the —- out of it." His team faces the absolute harshest conditions imaginable, hauling heavy loads across the vast, frozen lakes of Northern Minnesota – an environment eerily similar to the Arctic wilderness that inspired our craft. These are working sleds that are essential for their operations and they're used in ways that demand ultimate durability.

We aren’t surprised when these sleds come back to us for annual repairs. For us, it’s a badge of honor and a continuous learning experience. Each repair tells a story of incredible stress and incredible resilience. And with each repair, comes the inevitable, exciting new challenge: "Can you make the next one even tougher?"

The Komatik: An Ancient Design for Modern Demands

The foundation of these super-sleds lies in an ancient and brilliant design known as the komatik. Developed by the Inuit people over centuries, the komatik is a flat-decked, runner-based sled renowned for its efficiency and strength in deep snow and over rough ice. Its ingenious design distributes weight evenly, allowing it to glide with surprising ease even when heavily laden. We honor this legacy by meticulously handcrafting each component, ensuring every joint and every curve contributes to the sled's overall integrity.

But for Gregg, we're not just replicating history; we're pushing its limits. We're experimenting with reinforced runners, innovative lashing techniques, and the strongest, most resilient materials we can source, all while maintaining the komatik's fundamental principles of flexibility and durability.

The Fun in the Challenge

These projects are, without a doubt, some of our most demanding. They test our knowledge, our skills, and our creativity. Yet, they are also some of the most rewarding. There's a unique satisfaction in knowing that a piece of equipment we built is out there battling the elements and delivering year after year.

For the sled makers at Northern Toboggan Co, there’s a real thrill in tackling these projects. It's a chance to innovate and to prove that when it comes to building for the brutal beauty of winter, no one does it bigger, stronger, or better.