I’ve been using these Hok skis with a universal pivot binding and my regular winter boots, and I really like them. They’re designed to mimic the skis used in the Altai Mountains of North Asia, utilizing a single long pole for stability and climbing skins for traction.

http://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/h ... ated-2016/

I’m not a skier, and until someone makes a size 50 telemark boot, I never will be. So I’ve been a snowshoer for the past thirty+ years, and while snowshoes are amazing for some things, they are not very efficient for long distance travel, and they’re not super fun. All the work of going up doesn’t translate into any fun going down.

The Hok skis are designed to be used much like snowshoes, but with increased efficiency. They’re short, fat, and have climbing skin permanently attached to the center of the ski. I’ve been using them in deep powder at below freezing temperatures, and they climb really, really well. I’m amazed…they climb straight up grades much steeper than it seems a ski should be able to go up without slipping.

The universal pivot binding was my only option, since ski boots are not made in my size. I wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but having used them I’m pleasantly surprised. They’re secure, easy to use and adjust, and best of all, will accommodate my size 15 Danner boots…barely. 14” is the maximum length of the boot sole they will handle, and width wise I don’t think bunny boots are an option in any size.

And the universal binding is really what makes these a viable snowshoe substitute rather than just a funny ski. If you have to strap on ski boots to begin with, there are probably better options for most conditions. But since you can use these with regular boots, they become much more versatile.

From an efficiency standpoint, they blow snowshoes away, most of the time. While there is some kick-glide to be had, especially when coming back in your own tracks, what makes them so much more efficient is that you don’t have to lift your foot out of the hole your snowshoe made with every step. The shuffle-step they afford is just a lot less tiring, and the deeper the powder the more you notice it. Flotation wise they seem to be right up there with my Northern Lites snowshoes, which are much higher floatation than most snowshoes sold today.

Anyone who snowshoes for any distance understands the inherent benefits of coming back in your own trial, rather than breaking fresh trail the whole way. But while it takes at least three passes with snowshoes to make a decent trail (four is better), the Hoks make a very good trail with one pass, and a freeway with two passes. Because they’re so short they’re very maneuverable in thick woods, and easily go up and down the hummocks and irregularities that are difficult for longer skis.

You can use ski poles with the Hoks, but they weren’t really designed for them. Ski poles do help propel you on level or slight down grades, but they tend to get in the way on downhills. A good skier with proper boots and bindings can probably telemark the Hoks in most conditions, but a poor skier with universal bindings cannot. Instead, the preferred technique is to lean backwards on a single long pole which acts as a tripod leg, and turn the skis by leaning one direction or the other. I can’t say I’ve perfected it, but I fall down a lot less using one long pole than when I try to use traditional ski poles. You can also use no poles if the terrain is more or less level.

Here’s a description of the single pole technique: http://skishoeing.com/2015/12/20/tiaks/#more-1

For traveling any distance I find the Hok’s to be much more efficient and enjoyable than snowshoes, but there are definitely some things snowshoes do better. Icy, crusty snow and steep hills…snowshoes please. Cutting firewood in deep snow…snowshoes again, thank you. The Hoks are also bulkier and heavier than (most) snowshoes…I'm not sure how well they'd fit in the cargo compartment of a Cub or Husky without some custom modifications.

Finally, while being able to slide downhill is usually more efficient than having to walk downhill, it’s not always. At the end of the day when I’m bone tired and it’s snowing and blowing and visibility is ten feet and I can’t tell where the ground ends and the sky begins, having to deal with controlling my descent takes a lot more energy than just mindlessly putting one snowshoe in front of the other.

Because they operate at higher speeds, the Hoks require a degree of athleticism and flexibility that snowshoes do not. I don't recall ever getting banged up or twisted around on snowshoes, but my first week on Hoks I was sporting a wrist brace. I’d put my octogenarian father on snowshoes…I wouldn’t put him on Hoks.

It would appear that Hoks are impossible to get this year, but if you call Altai Skis directly they probably have some that aren’t on the website...they did for me, anyway. They’re also super-nice people and will answer any questions you might have.

They look like a great product Hammer, thanks for the write up!

There's also a similar folding product option marketed to split boarders for access without needing a split board set up. Also great for those who are looking to save space or pack them somewhere in terrain that might require both snow shoes and touring type skis for speed. A fair bit more coin than the Hok Ski though, the Hok look like great value any wonder they're sold out.

I do a fair bit of snow shoeing from the plane in the high alpine and also enjoy the challenge of snow shoes in that terrain but with lots of snow, steep pitch and heavy pack especially with a snowboard or something touring type skis or a splitboard are just a much better tool for the job. I don't own a set but have heard good reports and been contemplating picking up a set that was for sale locally second hand. The first generation ones had some hinge issues but the new generation seem to be really solid. Funnily enough its a product probably better suited for ski planes than snowboarding cause who wants to lug a board around on your back when you can strap a splitboard on your feet for a similar price. I haven't figured that one out!

https://mtnapproach.myshopify.com/

Nice review Hammer, which are you using, the 125 or 145s?

marcusofcotton wrote:Nice review Hammer, which are you using, the 125 or 145s?

At the recommendation of Nils Larson at Altai Skis I went with the 145's, even though I'm using the universal pivot binding. I'm 6'5" and weigh about 235 pounds with clothes and a pack. As of yet I've never wished for the smaller ski.

Nice write up. Thanks for that.

I've tried other ski's in the past with a universal type binding and boots. Didn't have much luck with those as they flopped around so much, control was almost impossible. If I remember, the ski's I tried had fixed heals so Tele technique wasn't practical.

Sounds like you've had reasonable success controlling them on the downhill.

What about binding release? Will they pop off in a bad fall?

GroundLooper wrote:Nice write up. Thanks for that.

I've tried other ski's in the past with a universal type binding and boots. Didn't have much luck with those as they flopped around so much, control was almost impossible. If I remember, the ski's I tried had fixed heals so Tele technique wasn't practical.

Sounds like you've had reasonable success controlling them on the downhill.

What about binding release? Will they pop off in a bad fall?

Keep in mind I'm NOT a competent skier. My only history with skiing was on cross country skis as a child, and I loathed them...couldn't go up, couldn't go down, and I couldn't cary a rifle, which to me negated the point of being in the woods to begin with.

But I seem to be able to slide down hill in some semblance of control...probably due in large part to how slow the Hok's are with the climbing skin.

As for self release...nope, not unless something breaks.

Would using these with mukluks be practical?

DeltaRomeo wrote:Would using these with mukluks be practical?

The mukluks I'm familiar with do not have a traditional hard sole, and if the shoe doesn't have some sort of normal sole, I don't think it would work. I think your toes would get mashed into the front of the binding. If the mukluks had a rigid sole material, then as long as they fit the bindings they should be ok.