Short Skis Don't Have To Suck - Altai Skis

 

   

The Hok

I had heard, through a mutual friend, that our buddy Nils Larsen was working on a new ski idea.  Nils and his business partner, Francois Sylvain, had worked for Karhu together and have spent many years in the ski business. I figured something was up when he came through Portland, last week, and the skis fit in the trunk of his rental car.

Nils has made many trips to the Altai region of China documenting the skier/hunters there and who were, possibly, the originators of skiing (sorry Norway).  Essentially, in the Altai, they chase down deer on these short, horse hair base skis, until the deer are exhausted and drag them back to the village for dinner.  These skis and the single pole, that's useful for turning and poking your buddy, are also used recreationally for practice.  Nils's ski-shoe idea arose from this experience.  Imagine that...a snowshoe with glide!  The Hok model is short (125 cm and 145 cm), has a metal edge and a section of skin material on the base for climbing.  OK, I'm a snowshoe hater and also no fan of skinny nordic skis when the going gets tough, so these little guys were more fun than a waterslide.  You can motor through tight trees and brush, on the up-track, and assume a good, bent knee and ankle ski position for a turny downhill run.

Check out the Altai Skis site and look for the skis next Fall at quality ski retailers or order on-line.