I was not convinced at all before trying the Hoks. After all, there has been several other companies in the last 20 years making "snowshoe" kind of skis without any success, they all stopped production at some point. Why would it be different with the Hok? Well, basically because they are the only ones on the market right now, but mostly probably because it was about time that people (including me) realize how fun they really are.
The "ski" comes in two different sizes, 125cm and 145cm. Width is about 100mm around the waist, and of course, there is a synthetic skin permanently glued under the ski. They have nicely and strongly rockered tips for any type of powder. You can fit whatever binding you want on it, and they also sell a universal binding in which you can fit any of your winter boots. I tried the 125cm with Voile 3-pin bindings and leathers.
It's not what you think. We would be tempted to think it's a slow snowshoe that can sort of ski downhill. But no, it's actually a real ski too! It climbs like crazy due to the large full-width skin, but it's really, really fun on the downhill. This thing is like a 4WD truck, you can go anywhere you want. You can ski places you never did before. First because of its size, you can ski down the tightest glades with much more manoeuvrability than any other ski. And second, because the full skin provides just the right amount of speed control without having the feeling of 'drag'. The Hok really opens up a whole new range of skiable territory. They are fun anywhere, even on the groomers!
I know it sounds weird if you never tried the Hoks, but they really make you completely rethink why we do the tele thing with 200cm skis...
