Karhu Lookouts

[Chisana]

The absolute last thing I need is another set of skis, but someone locally has a set of these for sale for $25.! These are fishscaled and 175cm. A bit short for me probably, at 6' 185#, but picked up some e99s last year in 195 and skied the shot out of them and loved them for the kind of skiing I do- low angle terrain, bushwacking, snowshoe and snowmobile trails etc.
According to pinnahs site, these are "compact" category skis and designed to be on the short side. Just wondering if any t-tippers are familiar with this ski.

[phoenix]

Yeah, I remember those. Karhu turned out a few of the shorter, wider edged skis for a while. Would be OK for your type of skiing, though 175 is kinda short for you. For $25, it should be worth it even for just a beater or backup ski. I don't recall anything particularly special about the ski, positive or negative, just a practical mess around in the woods category.

[Chisana]

That's me alright. Just a mess around in the woods type guy.

[paulzo]

Used to have a pair of Lookouts, first metal edged ski I got. Short is how you want them. Not great turning, but good traction, good shwacking ski and snowshoe replacement.

[Chisana]

Haven't looked at the skis yet. They have nnnbc bindings on now. I am a confirmed 3pinner for the backcountry ( snowfields, ultras, excursions), but think I may have a spare pair or rottefella st's in the gear box. If I do, I will probably check them out. Thanks gor the responses.

[fisheater]

I’m curious about those Karhu lookouts. The reason being, a long time ago, Telemark was something I was just beginning to see when I was skiing in Michigan’s UP, at a time when I was skiing there frequently. Two buddies and myself were in a Marquette, Michigan ski shop, when I spotted a pair of Karhu skis with a traction base. They weren’t even a fish scale, it was a ridged base that was common to XC skis at the time. I asked the salesman about them, and was quite excited about the possibilities. I grabbed a pair to show my buddies the coolest thing since sliced bread. Well, their reaction was the complete opposite of mine.
I still remember the ski. It was shorter in length than the 204’s I preferred for DH in the day. They otherwise had the same basically straight shape of skis in those days. I believe they were white with black lettering, white based with the ridged base. I knew someday I would be skiing on something similar. Were those anything like the Lookouts, or even an earlier version? I believe this was before 1990, probably mid-eighties.

[phoenix]

Lookouts came out mid to late 90's, so the ones you're describing (fisheater) weren't them. I don't recall any Karhu's from the 80's/early 90's with the graphics and pattern you're describing, but who knows; Karhu came out with a few obscure, short lived models.

[Chisana]

Went through the gearbox, and found I don't have any 3 pin bindings to fit thicker soled boots. Regretfully, I guess I will pass on these skis, as I don't want to buy more bindings.
I currently have 11 sets of nordic skis, and at 70 years of age, probably don't need to add to the collection Still......

[greatgt]

See you ski with Merril Ultras. Wicked good! TM

[Chisana]

See you ski with Merril Ultras. Wicked good! TM

Probably have more mileage on the ultras than on all my other boots combined, but I tend to ski the snowfields more the last few years. Both are great boots for the kind of skiing I do.