Nils Larsen and Francois Sylvain both had extensive experience in the ski industry and had worked together designing Nordic and backcountry skis for over ten years. They felt there was a great potential for skis designed for what Altai Skis now likes to call ‘pocket backcountry’, or the skiing many skiers have ready access to close to where they live. Since local skiing offers excellent and easy access to the winter world, the two set to work on new designs with the goal of creating easy to use and accessible gear to match the often overlooked skiing possibilities hiding in plain view.

Where is Altai? Why Altai?

In 2008 Nils released a documentary on the ski traditions in the Altai Mountains of Northwest China, which date back thousands of years, possibly to the origins of skiing. The skiers in the Altai still use one ski design for all their skiing, whether it’s a short trip to feed their livestock, over the hill to visit a neighbor, or a two-week hunting expedition deep into the rugged mountains. All skiing in the Altai is ‘backcountry’. This was the inspiration for Altai Skis, and defines the spirit of their company and drives their designs into the future.

What does Altai make?

Altai Skis features four main designs: Hok Skis, Kōm Skis, Balla Hok Skis, and Tiak Poles.

• Hok Skis: Designed as an easy to use ski for the backcountry. Its short, wide dimensions make the skis incredibly maneuverable, and the integrated climbing skin gives the Hok great traction. The right balance of running base and skin material makes the ski’s downhill speed manageable and easy to control. Bridging cross-country skis and snowshoes, the Hok combines the maneuverability and ease of use found in snowshoes with the ski’s efficiency of sliding forward rather then lifting and stepping with each stride.

• Kōm Skis: Created with function in mind, the Kōm skis are designed for skiers looking for a versatile ski that will rise to the challenge of all terrain. Featuring a tall tip which is very useful in breaking trail. The ski shape is designed to to help reduce the likelihood of the skis creating greater slope angles. Since the edges do not wrap around tip and tail, the Kōms have excellent swing weight for turning and maneuvers like kick turns. A grippier nowax base helps users in the backcountry and while climbing in soft snow. It is the next step from the Hok in terms of skiability.

• Balla Hok Skis: Balla is the word for a kid or child in the Altai Mountains, and describes the youth Hok Ski. Since it’s slower than a regular ski the Balla Hok is stable, easy to use, and can go up or down with equal ease - perfect for beginners who are just starting to learn. And we love that Altai has created a few different boot/binding options to serve kiddos as young as 5 years old all the way up to 8-10 years old. Enjoy one ski for many years when paired with the universal binding, which can be used with any regular winter boot.

• Tiak Poles: Tiak Poles were created shortly after the Hok Skis when Nils tried out a single pole like the ones still used by indigenous skiers in the Altai Mountains. Tiak poles offer the easiest way to really ski the Hoks, particularly for downhills. They are hand peeled, trimmed, sculpted, and branded (literally) before getting a strap and a light linseed oil finish. They are very strong and handy to have on any winter adventure in the woods or mountains. And since Altai offers a 1-year warrantee on them, and we look forward to getting people to try this ancient style of skiing.

Whether you’re looking for skis for yourself or a loved one, the team at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply can help you find the right gear. Take a look at our current inventory, or explore our tour and rental options to get your hands on the equipment before you buy it.

Have questions about Altai Skis? Feel free to get in touch or visit the Altai Ski website to learn more.