2nd Annual Altai Skis Demo and Ski Festival – Sitzmark Ski Area – January 28th

For all you Hoksters, Hokettes, and Hokstars – (and Kōm Skiers too) !

Saturday, January 28th at Sitzmark Ski Area in the Okanogan Highlands of NE Washington

2016 Hok Festival

We had such a good time at last years festival that we decided to do a repeat!

SItzmark Ski Area

This years Altai Skis event is on Saturday, January 28th and again will be a demo and ski day at Sitzmark Ski Area, the smallest most retro ski area in the state. The area is close to our world headquarters in Curlew, Washington and has been a favorite for many years with its laid back atmosphere and total absence of hype. It is a ski area for locals and a great fit for the Altai Skis demo and gathering as we have a certain inclination to retro as well 🙂

Demos and activities are scheduled from 10 AM until 3 PM. Lessons on skiing with the Hoks (up down and on the flats) will run through out the day and discounted lift tickets are available for those registered attendees interested in using the chair lift. The lift is optional to the festival though, so come and join us even if you are inclined to the less tilted version of Hok skiing. We will have a bunch of Tiaks there as well and will be offering up some tips on this unique and ancient style of skiing that is ideally suited to the Hoks. We will have a few tours going out as well, in some of the ideal Hok country adjacent to the ski area.

Some of our local Hokettes

Local Hoksters

On board will be Keith Wakefield, a long time Hokster and part of the original team at Altai Skis, Nils Larsen, Altai Ski owner and cofounder, Lisa Green, founding Hokette member, and special guest from the Methow Don Portman, Northwest crosscountry skiing guru, and recently, a dedicated Hokster. We have some of the Tahoe Hok posse coming up for the event as well as a lot of locals. It will be fun!

Some lodging options are available for those coming from out of the area – A nice AirBandB close to the ski area – here . In Tonasket (closest to Sitzmark) there are some AirBnBs – here and some motels here. Oroville if you are coming from up north, eh, is also quite close. Wauconda there is Diamond Belle Ranch – good skiing and beds for more then 20 with kitchen too..

Republic has some lodging as well. Over an hour from Sitzmark, it is on the west side of Sherman pass(excellent skiing) and on the way home if you are coming from Spokane or points east. Also of note there is the Republic Brew Pub . A general map of the region can be seen here with my notes on it.

Altai Skis Festival and Ski Map of the Area

HokStars

Ely

Minori

Stetson

Sitzmark Ski Area

Sooo….. Where is Sitzmark?

From Oroville, where you would be if you came down through Osoyoos, BC.

From Tonasket, if you were coming from the south on Hwy 97.

From Curlew or crossing from BC at Grand Forks and also crossing at Midway.

From Republic and Highway 20 (this is the very scenic route!).

From Colville and traveling north on Hwy 395.

The lodge with the chairlift in the background

Sitzmark:

Openning with a rope tow in the 1950s, Sitzmark now has a double chairlift and a rope tow. The terrain is a mix of mostly beginner through advanced intermediate with some nice open forest.

The area is very kid friendly and has rentals of alpine gear and snowboards for kids. We will also have some Ballahoks (the kids hok ski) available As well as quite a few of the 125 Hoks.

The lodge is small and cozy with a big fireplace. There is food and hot drinks available and brown bags (your own food) are welcome.

We will post updates here and on our Facebook page. We hope you can make it and – BRING YOUR HOKS! We will try and do a group picture of as many Hoks in one place as possible – perhaps a Guinness record!