Altai Tao

[Lhartley]

Looks interesting

[Krummholz]

Very interesting, at 165cm I wonder what the glide is like with what looks like the standard Hok skin. My 145 Hoks can get some good speed on hardpack but are not the easiest to turn. Could this be the Hok that can carve? Inquiring minds want to know!

[blitzskier]

i'de like to try the KOM one of these days. not wild about glued in skins, i have fun skiing the hoks with my old doggo, he likes the wide tracks i leave behind for him to follow in

[Lhartley]

I also have KOMs on my list of things I want but can't have. Much more so than these. I do see a purpose for them though. They would pair nicely with mr48 skins to extend the spring season, provided they can carve Krummolz mentioned. They'd be good skis for trashing around in marginal spring conditions (slushy isothermal stuff)

[blitzskier]

what sizes will these come in?

when/where can we test drive?

how much

[Lhartley]

Sorry, no additional info so far except for a ski profile. Nothing on their web page, just a Facebook post

[Inspiredcapers]

Daaammmnnn- that might be the ideal ski for the trail I’ve been cutting in for my commute to/from work. Leaving home there’s a steep climb up an elk trail then a stretch of abandoned logging road with lotsa ups n’ downs then a steep descent down an old mining access trail.

I figure for the time being the Hoks will be good for this (and easy to stash in my locker during my shift) but I’ve always kinda wished they were somewhat longer. Good thing I can get overtime any time I want.

[mca80]

"The name, ‘Hok’ {hawk}, is the Tuwa word for ski in the Altai Mountains." Spit on that thang?

More seriously, what would be the advantage of this over Kom since dimensions are similar? Skin vs scales, plate plus insert...what other differences?

[Inspiredcapers]

Hopefully a little bit of floatation would be gained. I’m heavyish and bury the Hoks no problem (my lightweight spouse on her 125 Hoks ‘floats’ in similar conditions). I think a longer skin ski would give me a bit more control (Hoks have given me numerous faceplants over the years), particularly during descents. One of the things I’ve noticed with the Hoks is they always want to cut trail, they don’t seeto like following one.

For the bushwhacking conditions I’m looking at I’m not sure if the Kom would work (definitely gonna give it a try though). I’m kinda seeing the Kom as my winter hiking trail access- something that’ll give me the forward go without messing with skins or gripwax but still give me some glide coming out.

Experimenting is fun 😁

[blitzskier]

i would like to see them improve the skin design, somehow make it more rugged and or easily repaired with spare skins at home. my last Hoks peeled the leading edge of the skin back, i must have hit a rock or twig in thin snow.

the leading edge of the skin is the weakest part of the Hok skis. they need to improve the mounting of the skins for durability/replacements, before moving onto a longer Hok design