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HOKS
Wow!! I felt like a 16 year old with a new car!! Thank you for the Hok ski – what an incredible difference from snow shoeing into my favorite back country destinations. I live in big snow country in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan (We have already logged over 80 inches of snow this season). I am not a fan of snow machines or groomed trails. My favorite spots had been only accessible by snowshoes until I tried your ski. I love these boards. Being able to maintain the inertia and momentum while taking on big deep snow is incredible advantage over the plant an stop cadence of a snowshoe. I used the universal binding with a pair of Steger Mukaluks and it was like going across the snow in moccasins. No groomers needed just add snow. I am rarely this excited about a product but like I said in the before I feel like a 16 year old kid with the new found freedom of a car. Thank you for an excellent product!!!!
Scott – Ironwood, MI
I just got my 145 cm Hoks. I live in Washington D.C. which isn’t exactly a mecca of great ski terrain or snow. We got a nice storm last week though and I spent an afternoon cruising around on them in Rock Creek Park. It was the most fun I have had on skis in a very long time. Thanks for making such a great ski! I can’t wait to take them into the backcountry.
Josh – MD
I was one of three skiers on hoks, with tiaks, at the top of a ridge in the backcountry. While the rest of the group fussed with their skins, we planned a group run down the steep slope. No plan, actually, just one two three go! Whooping and hollering, making tight turns with our Tiaks, we raced down the mountain, narrowly avoiding collisions. Much cheering and laughter at the bottom, and the decision to try it again!
Patty – Curlew WA
Hi Nils,
Just got the 125cm Hoks and 3-pin bindings today from a local ski place. They are AWESOME!!! I am so happy! 20 degrees, brilliant sun and a foot of fairly fresh powder doesn’t hurt. They are fantastic and so much fun for tromping through the woods. I will definitely try a single pole for more downhill but right now my xc ski poles are doing the trick. So comfy too with the 3-pin binding. I have ankle issues but this is just bombproof and awesome.
Thanks!
Lauren – Greensboro Bend, VT
Greetings
I just wanted to write to you to tell you how much I am impressed with and enjoying my new altai hok 145 skis. You have developed an incredible product with few if any competitors. Truly your skis fill a void in backcountry skiing and winter expedition hiking. I believe you have created a unique and versatile product with quality craftsmanship and performance. I will certainly be promoting your product with online reviews and youtube videos. More people need to be exposed to what your skis have to offer in backcountry winter travel.
You have a fabulous product and I am a very satisfied customer. I cannot speak well enough about the product, and I thoroughly enjoy introducing new people to your skis. Many people stop me to talk and ask questions about the skis, to which I am always passionate and enthusiastic to explain my experiences. I plan to purchase a set of Kom’s this winter and continue to support and explore your developments.
Sincerely, Ryan Miles – Goulais River, ON
Nils,
I am loving the HOKS!!!! Just spent 4 days skiing in Maine & have now put some miles on them. My only questions/ comment: I feel like I would like them even better in a 160…. but I am not sure? I love the skin on the bottom, they climb great (actually amazing). I also like the slower controlled decents with the skin. I am glad I bought the Hok and not the Kom for my type of use. I still might get the Kom at some point.
Thank you, Daniel – Middlebury , VT
Hello…
I just picked up a pair of Hok’s and a set of Yeti Bindings…having amazing fun on them. I have been skiing and snowshoeing for many years and have gone from a pair of wooden downhill skis ripped on a table saw (1971), through no-wax and on to Marquette Backcountry Skis, but none of them can match your Hok ski. Just curious if they have a warranty and what type of longevity I can expect from the skins? Many thanks for a great product.
yrs, Mike – Interlochen, MI
Subject: Love the Hok!!
I have skied on and off for almost fifty years, downhill and cross country and just am so grateful to find the Hok! I have been snowshoeing the Olympic Mountains here in Washington and was thrilled to find a short ski to replace my shoes (side-hilling on a snowshoe, Ouch!) I’ve been skiing with the Hoks/universal binding up at Mt Rainer/Paradise to get used to the downhill performance and I am so pleased. They telemark easily and are stable for such a short ski. They also are an “eye catcher” and I have shared my enthusiasm about the Hok with many tired snowshoe traveler. I know you are really on to something with this ski; I think you will also win many skiers who are dragging along expensive, heavy backcountry skis, bindings and boots with the Hoks simplicity. Is there any way I can represent Hok out this way? In any event, thanks so much!!
….I continue to enjoy the Hoks and am looking forward to (someday) adding the Kom to my collection of skis. I grew up downhill skiing and know I would love the Kom.
You guys are the best, please use my email and anything I can do to spread the word I would do (Again when I go up on Rainier I talk to both Backcountry Skiers and showshoers alike who are interested in the Hoks).
Todd – Olympia, WA
Hi Nils,
Just back from trip with Hoks. I love them. My wife loves. Her mom loves them.
We need to get some telemark lessons because the the hill we tried owned us! Ha ha. But we kept going back up that hill. (The videos made it look so easy.)
Looking forward to many more outings.
follow up email…
We love the hoks. We go further, faster. Their smooth step, ability to climb and descend make them a great way to see nature in the winter. We are hoping to get better at downhill as that took some getting used to coming from snowshoes.
We’ve told lots of people about them.
Shaun – Etobicoke, ON
Mr. Larsen and Mr. Sylvain,
I LOVE your skis. I’ve done a lot of hiking and snowshoeing and a little bit of cross country skiing but I’m really a novice. I’m 64 now and about to retire and as much as I love to snowshoe it’s so slow sometimes (especially as I get older). I’ve been practicing every day with your skis out behind my house. I have a pair of pac boots I use (which are the most comfortable) and a stiffer pair of Garmont winter hiking boots which are not as comfortable. My pac boots are falling apart and I need to replace them but before I do I wanted to ask you what the best boot to use with your skis is or if it matters. Thank you so much for any input and thank you so much for making these wonderful skis! More snow tonight in Maine!
follow up email…
We had a great season. I couldn’t believe how much snow we got. Plus my landlord cleared a bunch of trees out back of where I live and it was like I had my own cross country ski course. I went skiing on my Hoks every day, literally skiing out my basement door. People hate me for saying this but I hope we get as much snow this year as we did last! Thanks again for your great little skis.
Rachel – Sebago, ME
Howdy,
I picked up the skis today and boogied up to the the mountains. The Hoks are fabulous, way better than snowshoes and easier than the old Ramer alpine touring skis that I often use with three pins and skins. Today reminds me of the first time I took my Surly Pugsley up to the mountains; like the Pugsley, the Hoks put a smile on my face.
It occurs to me that you might consider advertising in “Fur-Fish-Game”.
It is a print magazine that caters to hunters, trappers and fishermen, including ice fishermen. Trappers work in winter when pelts are prime and many use snowshoes. Ditto for ice fishermen. It seems to me that your skis are ideal for winter hunting, ice fishing, and trapping. I decided to get the Hoks after a frustrating day on some old 220cm tele skis hunting snowshoe hares in thicket just below the great divide. You might also consider addvertizing in Boys Life, the Boy Scout magazine. The Hok with the universal binding is ideal for scouting because the scouts can use their own boots. Although, I will say this, if it can be broken, Scouts will break it.
Thanks for the binding screws and the wonderful skis,
Robert – Boulder, CO
You guys absolutely nailed the engineering on the Hoks! I have never felt so free to go anywhere in winter and can negotiate gorges, steep treed hillsides, downed trees, and creek crossings with confidence. I consider them the ultimate winter camping ski, as they’re stable and nimble with a pack on and have the traction to pull a pulk uphill. Keep up the innovation- I’m eager to see what’s next.
-Keith
It was the best winter I can remember out here. If we get another like it I’ll have to get another set of skis for friends who visit. I taught my sister to ski this winter and she only wanted to use the Altais once she tried them.
Please quote me and if any potential customers want a third party weigh in, feel free to pass on my info. A good friend who has skied her whole life and runs the local xc ski center and teaches tele, etc. recently tried my hoks and promptly ordered them as soon as we got back from our ski. I am leaving tomorrow for my fourth winter camping trek through the high peaks in the adirondacks this year. Hope you guys have had as great a winter as we have.
Keith – Trumansburg NY
Nothing real radical or mighty with my 125’s in this part of Maine. Lots of use working around trees, clearing stuff, places that were a ski length apart. They lived in the back of the truck along with a set of backcountry poles. Perhaps most interesting was using them for some tidal river skiing where it was a challenge working around the ice blocks just to get to the snow covered ice where having some glide made for pretty fast going. Also handy on frozen snow covered lakes whose surface varied from glare to inches of crusty stuff. The mohair works nicely on flat crust the way it did back in the day where mohair got stuck on the bottom of XC skies. Not looking for records, looking to get around, with a lot less effort than traditional snow shoes and much better floatation than the little shoes they sell now. In the deepest snow I was still kicking along tips up. Especially handy was the ability to just put them on the Sorels. Another pair of longer ones likely in future for some boot bindings.
Ben – Cushing ME
Hi,
A few years ago, I purchased my hoks from you in order to better follow my cross country ski buddy who, on short hok-like skis had cut a twisty x-ctry ski trail behind his house. It was hopeless following him on long skis and snowshoes were not as much fun. Since then, I have used them to replace my snowshoes whenever there is soft snow. In Maine this year, we had a lot of soft snow! So much more fun than snowshoes! After my 1st year, 2 of my friends bought them, and loved them also – then 2 more – then 2 more! I know of 7 pairs of hoks in our neighborhood now, counting mine.
Thanks! Love your product! – Lois – Bryant Pond, Maine
It was a great winter in New England for snow! I live in the hills of North East, CT.. I usually hike about 1/3 mile up my road with pack/ snow shoes, then dive into the woods.. This winter with snow upwards of 3′, snow shoes weren’t cutting it, I started looking for options… I found Altai Hoks on Youtube… I ordered the 145’s from ORS in Vermont…I wear Sorel boots, the adjustable bindings fit excellent… I strapped them to my pack, off I went…. With some xcountry poles, I was pleasantly surprised blazing trails in heavily wooded deep snow, the 145cm’s allowed turning ability, and glide… I like snow shoeing , but this was fun!! I used them about a dozen times… A nice wide ski with the option of a 3pin binding setup, a great bridge between snowshoe and back country ski….with the adjustable binding, I can let anyone try them without special boots…A great product, can’t wait to try the longer Kom
Ron – Willington, CT
Hi Nils,
seems like your company is blossoming! Just went to your site again and love it. Just purchased the Koms with bindings and another pair of the Hoks. My older son took them out and loved them and asked if he could take em home. Can’t wait for the Koms! love the Hoks though! Trying to get a place like Whitegrass in West Virginia going, I think we would have to stock your skis!
Hope everything is well! cheers Ken – Coxsackie, NY
Hi Nils
I had been out of the x-country ski scene for years and was at Rock n Snow in New Paltz and after Rich informed me that that the all in one ski that I had been dreaming of did not exist he was fitting me up with a pair of cross country skis with edges and then stopped in his tracks and showed me a pair of Hoks. Thanks to the prolific snowfall and proximity of some skiable terrain I was able to get out on my Hoks many days this winter. My favorite feature is how low commitment they are being able to jump right into the bindings wearing hiking boots, they make the snow much more accessible. I “crafted” my own tiak from a wood curtain rod and if I could find one hour to spare and I found plenty, that is all I needed thanks to my uncomplicated Hoks I was out playin in the snow.
….the beauty is that I am right in the middle of suburbia right next to a nasty shopping megalopolis and two superhighways but getting it done thanks to my Hoks.
Thank you. Dennis – Central Valley, NY
I have looked for years for the right skis to balance an incredible lack of skill with the unquenchable desire to be out in, on, and surrounded by the snow.
The HOK came across my browser and the search was over. Since getting the skis for my wife and my best friend getting some too, I have been able to overcome the following.
5 days in an ICU on a ventilator because of an infection during a normal procedure, 20 minutes away from suffocation and 26 lbs of critical muscle mass stripped away. Actually could not walk but the perfect size, balance, and ease of use from the HOKS got me outside and on the road to recovery. Literally they helped put me back together.
The places we go are not extraordinary but the local woods and small mountain of CT. They are not life changing athletic challenges, but the quite respites that re-energize the value of each day and a couple hours spent on these skis are better then any beverage, yoga class, prayer circle or pill.
I hope the company thrives and with a back country vehicle like these, the tops of mountains are the only limit.
Jason – New Britain, CT
I bought a pair of HOKs and KOMs last fall and love them both. The HOKs have considerably better control with a three pin binding and light plastic boot then the universal binding that came with them. Even though they are a bit slow, they are a lot of fun and excel in most conditions except ice. We even choose to bring our HOKs as a second pairs of skis with us on vacation to the Sierras for their versatility. They performed well in the backcountry with some minor icing issues on day three after new snow when the sun finally came out and temps rose into the 50’s.
I would recommend either pair as a great addition to your arsenal.
Brian – Meriden, NH
More than once this past winter, the snowfall piled up to the doorway of my Portland, Maine, apartment to the point where I could simply snap into the bindings of my 125-cm Hoks right on the stoop. Living on the slope of Munjoy Hill, all it took was a quick push from the poles to get me started toward Eastern Promenade, where only plow trucks dare to venture at 5:30 a.m. It’s an urban ski-shoe adventure, right outside my door! Flakes were falling by the foot this February, but many Mainers aren’t fazed by these kinds of conditions, we just make the best of them. And there are few cooler things to do than turning the East End into the backcountry with your trusty chocolate lab leading the way. Getting back up the steep grade is no problem with the integrated climbing skin and the super tight turning ability these beauties give you. I’m the envy of the neighborhood — everyone wants to know about my skis.
Jamie – Portland, ME
I think I can say a few things about the Altai Hoks and the Tiak after a winter of use.
First of all: when the only people you meet out there all day stop you to talk about your gear – and it was obvious that would happen from the instant you first saw them notice you – you have something a bit different. (I said to them: “I needed to find out what the first 8,000 years of skiing were like.”) The most important thing to know about both Hok and Tiak is that they’re made for a particular kind of skiing: the go anywhere do anything kind that the first skiers almost certainly did. They really almost rebel against trails; on the day I refer to part of the reason I saw no other people is that after a while the trails didn’t appeal; they weren’t where I wanted to be and I got off them and started really skiing. Your regular skis cope and contend with what’s off the trails; these were made for it. They climb almost as well as snowshoes; ski climbing techniques, when you use them which is rare, are easier with a shorter wider ski; and the zip you get on downhills becomes just an added bennie rather than The Whole Point, which is travel. These are true traveling tools. You will likely poach wherever you go if you follow these skis. There won’t be any tracks before you because skiers don’t go where these do. They’re for adventuring, not following someone else’s groomed snowmade path. They’re for people who think: what’s that like up there? Well, let’s see. They are for people who will figure out the difficulties up there when they personally get to them.
Poles will work OK with Hoks. The tiak is what sets skiing with Hoks truly apart. It allows a hiking-staff approach that actually provides a better climbing anchor than poles do. It can test things, whack snow off overhanging branches, clean off ski tops, and actually plant well in all snow for trivial but, you know, essential stuff like parking your hat and gloves on a break. (Hint: gloves clip through the lanyard.) I’ve even used mine to portage the Hoks where I didn’t want the bases to be. It’s really a hoot to have something that actually reverses the “carry-ability” of modern skiing. With most skis, it’s the skis that jam in doorways, accidentally bop people, scar your walls, scratch your car’s paint, while the nice-mannered poles serve both in one hand as walking sticks, pack easily, etc. With these, it’s sling the Hoks under your arm and run onto the subway…but watch that pole! (One big advantage over the poles you’re used to: a tiak makes you a much less appealing meal option for a bear, which now has to contend with a lodgepole pine trunk and not something that would break no matter where you hit him. Hint: thrust, don’t swing. Think spear; OK, maybe sharpen that chisel point a bit.) You want it big, because that is not only what the efficiency in climbing is about but also what the downhill is about. I won’t say I am the master yet. (Boy …um, no way on that.) But I have executed a mid-hill “hook turn” more than once that you just have to trust me I will never do with ski poles. Just throw that pole off into the snow to the side it’s on; lean on it and let it whip you around. Look ma no cliff! The fore-aft stability problem with shorter skis is their hidden issue; the tiak is a great way to deal with it. It’s a much better outrigger than any pole.
But in the end, the people that the Hok and Tiak will appeal to most are, as Yvon Chouinard once said, those “who take pleasure in being out of step with the technological age.” It is such a good feeling, and this is such a great way to get it in winter (use sturdy leather winter work gloves not techie Moritz Mitts to enhance that effect), that for that alone I couldn’t recommend these more highly.
(Just please. WATCH THAT POLE!)
Can’t wait for next winter. The Tiak is parked in the corner left of the closet, right at the door. “Um…excuse me…what is [points] THIS…???”
Donn – Greenbelt, MD
I got the chance to try my new Altai Skis Hok 145cm in over a foot of sticky wet powder yesterday. They are so great!
I was dreaming of a short, wide, light telemark ski for hunting, but design of the Altai Hok skis is so much better even than what I imagined. For example, I didn’t think of integrated skins built into the base, which are a killer feature, or the binding mounts, which allow easily switching between telemark boots and regular hiking boots. Thank you Nils and Francois for realizing our shared dream with this incredible product.
BALLAHOKS
Hi, Nils –
Happy New Year!! I just wanted to thank you again for your help getting the skis and bindings for my son’s Christmas gift. These skishoes you’ve created are awesome and amazing!! The concept is great, and the product itself is excellent – beautiful enough for a museum, and such sturdy and clever bindings! My son loves them, and I love seeing the enjoyment he’s getting out of them. I’m going to have to ask Santa for my own pair next winter!
Thanks again, and keep making these wonderful things.
KŌMS
nils (& francois) …
i did order the kom skis …
they arrived here in Michigan yesterday (friday).
it must have been a bit of good ‘karma’ … as … as soon as i ordered them … we started getting much needed, ample amounts of lake effect snow … off Lake Michigan.
beautiful conditions.
ANYWAY … i am a long time cross country skier. i am in my 60’s and have been a back country skiing fanatic for 40+ years.
i used the Kom skis today on my loop (2+ hours) and they are fantastic … actually …. unbelievable. i ski a lot ..,. usually 4-5 times a week … 2-3 hours per loop. i have owned many different pairs of skis over the years and finally your skis are letting me tell my (wonderfully tolerant) wife … “i finally have the ski i was looking for”. i hate to say i might have bought my last set of skis … but … i happily think i have bought my last pair.
thanks for a great product …. thanks for answering emails … and thanks for making a ski that fits my ‘out the back door’ skiing needs.
best to you and your much success with your business ….
thanks …cheers ….Jeff – Alden, MI
Nils,
Hi….I bought a pair of Altai Koms last winter and am in love with them! I skied them in WV and Colorado, pulling a pulk, BC touring, and even some downhill. They are great skis! I was using a Garmont Veloce boot and Rainey Superloops on them last year. I just bought a pair of Alico Blaze boots off of eBay and am wondering if you think that boot will drive a ski as wide as the Kom properly, still using my Superloops. Not cranking super hard turns on the steeps…just tree skiing, glades, and some BC conditions. Thanks for any insight!
Best Regards and Happy Skiing!
Ken
I used my Koms again this past winter at a backcountry gathering in the high country of Western Colorado. I pulled a 75 lb pulk with them through forests, up and down hills. I absolutely love these skis. They are so fun….my quiver of 5 other BC, Tele, and AT skis have gone unused the past two seasons! I took them over to Whitegrass in the Canaan Valley of WV. Whitegrass owner Chip Chase was pretty stoked over them!
PS- Several of my buddies have been coveting my Koms big time!
TIAKS
Hello Nils,
I received the Tiaks on Saturday and took them out for a test drive yesterday. They worked great! I finally felt comfortable on the Hoks going downhill. My friend who was good going down with the Hoks with regular ski poles kept going higher and higher on the mountain as the single pole just increased his confidence.
My buddy and I both love them and feel they have taken the Hoks experience to the next level.
Gregg – Anchorage AK
I think I can say a few things about the Altai Hoks and the Tiak after a winter of use.
Poles will work OK with Hoks. The tiak is what sets skiing with Hoks truly apart. It allows a hiking-staff approach that actually provides a better climbing anchor than poles do. It can test things, whack snow off overhanging branches, clean off ski tops, and actually plant well in all snow for trivial but, you know, essential stuff like parking your hat and gloves on a break. (Hint: gloves clip through the lanyard.) I’ve even used mine to portage the Hoks where I didn’t want the bases to be. It’s really a hoot to have something that actually reverses the “carry-ability” of modern skiing. With most skis, it’s the skis that jam in doorways, accidentally bop people, scar your walls, scratch your car’s paint, while the nice-mannered poles serve both in one hand as walking sticks, pack easily, etc. With these, it’s sling the Hoks under your arm and run onto the subway…but watch that pole! (One big advantage over the poles you’re used to: a tiak makes you a much less appealing meal option for a bear, which now has to contend with a lodgepole pine trunk and not something that would break no matter where you hit him. Hint: thrust, don’t swing. Think spear; OK, maybe sharpen that chisel point a bit.) You want it big, because that is not only what the efficiency in climbing is about but also what the downhill is about. I won’t say I am the master yet. (Boy …um, no way on that.) But I have executed a mid-hill “hook turn” more than once that you just have to trust me I will never do with ski poles. Just throw that pole off into the snow to the side it’s on; lean on it and let it whip you around. Look ma no cliff! The fore-aft stability problem with shorter skis is their hidden issue; the tiak is a great way to deal with it. It’s a much better outrigger than any pole.
But in the end, the people that the Hok and Tiak will appeal to most are, as Yvon Chouinard once said, those “who take pleasure in being out of step with the technological age.” It is such a good feeling, and this is such a great way to get it in winter (use sturdy leather winter work gloves not techie Moritz Mitts to enhance that effect), that for that alone I couldn’t recommend these more highly.
(Just please. WATCH THAT POLE!)
Can’t wait for next winter. The Tiak is parked in the corner left of the closet, right at the door. “Um…excuse me…what is [points] THIS…???”
Donn – Greenbelt, MD
I took my Hoks and Tiak to Lost Trail Ski Area in Montana on a bluebird powder day, and received some strange looks as I got on the lift with my long pole. I skied a black diamond run under the chair lift, shredding all the unskied powder close to the trees – the Hoks will turn on a dime! Near the bottom of the run I heard a young voice calling down from a chair – “nice stick”!
John – Curlew, WA