Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Concrete Toboggan?

The concrete toboggan consists of a braking and steering system, a superstructure, and a concrete running surface, which is typically in the form of 4 skis underneath the superstructure. The skis are the only concrete aspect of the toboggan, the rest is composed of materials such as metals, plastics, and carbon fibre.

Why should I join the UofT Concrete Toboggan Team?

Not only do you gain valuable design and fabrication experience, you become part of a close knit team. Regardless of your discipline or prior experience, we welcome anyone to join the team! The exposure to unique challenges is a great learning experience, and you become a part of a community that will continue outside of your university career.

How do I get involved?

Click Here to join the Concrete Toboggan Team Discord Server! On discord, you will get regular updates and opportunities to get involved from all areas of the team.

Is all you do design a toboggan?

No! This design team is not just about design, but also developing a community and team spirit! Each year, we select and develop a theme for competition along with a technical display and costumes. This typically involves brainstorming, graphic design, painting, sewing, and so much more!

I have no experience. How can I help?

You can help in so many ways! Most members join the team with no prior experience. Our team has both design and spirit (such as costume design, mural painting, graphics, etc) opportunities, and you can cater your experience on the team based on what interests you! We are all on the team to learn new skills! Come to our meetings or message us to find out more about what you can get involved with!

I’m not in Mechanical or Civil Engineering. How can I help?

Concrete Toboggan is a unique design team in that it requires a diverse breadth of skills to achieve excellence at the competition. Therefore, the team has had members from every discipline in past years and we can always find creative ways to utilize your skills or help you develop new ones! Whether it be CADing parts of the toboggan, painting our technical display, helping sew costumes, pouring concrete, machining parts and more, there is a place for anyone on our team!

What do you compete in?

On the last weekend of January, we compete in a competition called the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race (GNCTR). The competition is judged based not only on race performance of the toboggan down a ski hill, but also on the technical display, theme, spirit, and design. The location of the competition changes every year. Past competition locations include Toronto, Edmonton, Waterloo, Kelowna, and so much more!

Can everyone go to competition?

Unfortunately, GNCTR limits us to a team of 30 people at the competition. The Captains and Leads will invite people based on their contributions throughout the year. As long as you make an effort to contribute to the team, and attend our events you will likely get an invite to join the competition team! If you want to know more, ask them about it or email captain@toboggan.skule.ca.

Have any more questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us