What is a Hok ski?
“The Hok, is a ski to be used whenever and wherever there is snow. With a partial climbing skin integrated into the base, the ski climbs with ease. The skin also makes the ski slower and easier to control than traditional skis. They are compatible with most hiking and snow boots but can also be used with teleboots.
What did the Altai people design skis for?
The Origins of Skiing. A cadre of anthropologists, archaeologists, and historians, mostly Chinese, has gathered considerable evidence to support a theory that handmade skis evolved as a winter transport and hunting tool somewhere in the Altai Mountains at least 10,000 years ago.
What are Altai Hoks?
The best way I can describe the Altai Hoks is they are a hybrid ski that brilliantly combines maneuverability of a snow shoe with gliding qualities of a cross country ski. The ski has metal edges improving control. The base requires little or no waxing.
What size Hok skis do I need?
Skier size and weight does come into play when sizing the Hok but we feel it is on equal footing with the intended use and conditions. As a general rule women of average size weight or smaller should use the 125cm, and men over 6ft at average weight could go with the 145cm.
What’s the best way to describe the Altai hoks?
The best way I can describe the Altai Hoks is they are a hybrid ski that brilliantly combines maneuverability of a snow shoe with gliding qualities of a cross country ski.
What are the sizes of Altai Hok skis?
Third, the skis come in two sizes (125 and 145 cm), the shorter fitting almost everyone. Fourth, binding has ratchets on toe and ankle straps making on and off very quick.
Where does the tail on the Altai skis come from?
The tail design on the Hok is from a felt rug I purchased in the Altai Mountains on one of my early trips there. This is a classic nomadic design from the area and the felt rugs are common there, used on sleeping platforms, yurt floors, and the beds of the horse drawn sleds called ‘Chanas’
Are there any free demos at Altai skis?
Altai Skis will offer free demos of Hoks and Koms. Tips on using the various skis and our universal bindings. We will have some boots as well that are compatible with the 3 pin bindings. Tips and clinics on uphill and downhill skiing as well as general backcountry touring. The many uses of the Tiak (single pole).