The Arctic Shark Snow Sled is the first-class ticket to winter excitement. Designed by Gibbons Industries Inc., the Arctic Shark is a unique sled made for the thrill of downhill sledding with special features making it both safe and exciting.
On the slopes, the sled is not only steerable, but stoppable as well. A friction brake system allows safe and controlled stopping. Other standard features include a protective roll-bar, safety restraints and a tube-type bumper that protects both the riders and the sled.
Originally intended to give people with disabilities a way to enjoy the slopes, the Arctic Shark has been adopted by several ski resorts in the upper Midwest. Many of them are being used for races and programs for the disabled. With the capability of reaching speeds up to 100 miles per hour, the sled appeals to all ages.
The Arctic Shark is designed for a single rider and/or a guide who rides behind by standing on the unit's skis. Gibbons Industries has also developed a double sled that allows people who are more severely disabled to ride side-by-side with a guide or driver.
With its detachable tow bar, the Arctic Shark is great both on the slopes and in the field. Its multipurpose design makes the sled a great tow-behind trailer for hauling firewood, tools, newborn livestock, hunting supplies and game.
Depend on the durable materials used in the sled's construction to provide years of trouble-free service. Whether it is work or play, the Arctic Shark is up to the task!
Click here to order or request more information on the Arctic Shark sled.
Some Comments
Comments from... SKI for Light P.O. Box 3707 Rapid City, SD 605-341-3626
Brad Morgan has been a board member for the Black Hills Regional Ski For Light for several years. Brad says "I have been interested in the Arctic Shark since the concept and watched them grow into a safe, stable platform for our Ski For Light Participants with severe disabilities and serious spasms and balance problems. We TRUST our Sharks to the most difficult disability and have gotten more than our monies worth"
Terry Long has been a participant with Ski For Light since 1991. Terry states "The Arctic Sharks are FANTASTIC, and should have been created years ago."
Dallas W. Dietrich founding board member for Ski For Light writes...
Bob, it seems like only yesterday that the five of us had a vision to help the visually and physically challenged people through our program - Ski For Light. It was refreshing to sit down with you and figure out the design of the Shark from the ground up. Not too many people have the patience to stick it out through this phase. It is so amazing how 20 years have gone by so fast. The thing that has helped us so much is people like yourself that have helped us create, design, build, innovate, reinvent, and change both our equipment and program. Your selfless effort to improve the Arctic Shark to accommodate our needs has made our program one of the best in the country.
It is an honor to know that once again you are coming through with a first for us. The tragedy of losing my children last January in a car accident has been tempered by the thought of knowing that you will be building a tandem sled for us in their memory. The new sled you are putting together can be enjoyed by hundreds of participants for years to come. Dawn and Deric will be smiling down on you for helping us out.
If you have anyone who would like to talk to us about your equipment and what you can provide for them please do not hesiate to have them call me. Thanks again!
Dallas W. Dietrich (605-343-9145)
Bismarck Tribune Article (Oct. 23, 1998)
It had been more than 20 years since Steve Piper had skied. But despite cerebral palsy, arthritis, severe back pain and other health problems, he was on the slopes last winter, thanks to the Arctic Shark.
The special sled developed by Bob Gibbons of Bismarck has given people with disabilities throughout the Upper Midwest a new way to enjoy the slopes.
Piper, a Bismarck resident, was a participant last year in the Ski for Light program at Deer Mountain in South Dakota.
"A ski wasn't available right away, so I rode the Shark, and it was an experience," Piper said. "I even rode some moguls, and that was a blast.
"It's fun just to be able to zig-zag back and forth across the slope. For somebody who hasn't ever been able to ski, it would be a real rush."
After developing and testing the sled for five years, the Bismarck company is ready to put them on the retail market, said Gibbons, owner of Gibbons Industries.
While it's designed for safety and stability, the sled also can go fast -- which makes them appeal to everyone. They've been tested at 70 mph on a downhill run, and Gibbons estimates they'll do 100.
Gibbons will introduce the Arctic Shark during the North Dakota State Snowmobile Convention, which begins today in Valley City. The exhibition runs through Sunday.
The multi-purpose sled, which has steerable skis and an aluminum "beaver tail" friction brake, also can be towed behind a snowmobile for recreation or chores.
While volunteering as a guide for Ski for Light, Gibbons began developing the sled after seeing how dangerous the low-riding "polk sleds" were that the group was using.
Gibbons spent "countless hours" developing the sled, said Dallas Dietrich, a founding board member of Ski for Light in Rapid City, S.D.
Having never been a skier himself, Gibbons had to learn how skis worked before he could make the sled steer correctly. The education process included sawing apart skis to see how they were made.
"It's a really stable unit," Dietrich said. "We really put them through the paces because we can't hurt anyone in our program -- that would just defeat the purpose of our program. It was just kind of by trial and error, which is what Ski for Light is all about."
Ski for Light's Black Hills Regional Group, the largest of 30 in the country, now uses the Arctic Sharks for about half its skiing programs, Dietrich said. Last year there were about 100 participants at the ski area near Deadwood.
Gibbons also has developed a double sled that allows people who are more severely disabled to ride side-by-side with a driver. Participants in the single units are accompanied by a guide who rides behind by standing on the unit's skis.
"I was motoring pretty good," Piper said. "I don't know how fast I was going -- all I know is I didn't want to hit a tree. It's the first time I had ever tried it, and I recommend it to anyone who has a disability."
The sleds also have potential for the general recreational market, Gibbons said.
Now built by hand a few at a time, the sleds retail for $2,495. Gibbons said he's confident he can get the price down if he goes into full production with the units.
Gibbons said he's currently looking for dealers with whom he can market the product throughout the north country.
"I wasn't out to really make a lot of money on it," said Gibbons, whose company primarily repairs fiberglass and aluminum boats. "I was just wanting to help these guys. But now it's getting to the point where I can make some money on them."
For more information about Ski for Light, call Lisa Fitzner or John Gould at 605-341-3626.
The Arctic Shark, designed by Bismarck's Bob Gibbons, is a steerable, downhill sled designed primarily for use by people with disabilities. 1-800-424-0656.
Reprinted with permission from The Bismarck Tribune.
