Plastic 'Ski/Snowshoe' Hybrid

Wow, that thing is weird looking! Looks like fun though.

Would they work as an approach ski for a snowboarder?

Can’t wait to see some reviews for this thing! I am a snowshoer and this could add alot of fun to the down hill portions!

Looks a lot like the models that Karhu had a few years back with the permanent skins in the center.

Shades of the long departed Trak Bushwacker… a 150cm skiand snowshoe replacement

Per the question about their appropriateness as an approach ski for backcountry snowboarding; I’d say they’re way too long (140cm) and would be quite unwieldy – strapped to your pack – on descent.I have used a number of different approach skis for bc snowboarding in the past and have found the ideal length to be in the 108cm-115cm length. Long and wide enough float when breaking track in deep pow, short (and light) enough strap easily to your pack for descent. Too long and you’re snagging branches on the top end or dragging in the snow on the bottom end. @feralson

They look like the latest iteration of the Trak Bushwacker or more recently the Karhu/LLBean Meta and Karver models. Great concept but the reviews (Of the Karhus) fell way short of their promise. The Bushwackers did pretty well. Without edges I don’t see these as performing very well or holding up for very long under challenging conditions.

I’ve used the Karhu’s several times and liked them, but sometimes the skin kept me from going downhill as fast as I wanted to. This looks like a suitable replacement since the Karhu’s are no longer made. Niche piece for sure though.

I’m seeing a good platform here for snowkite training. I have used modified waterskis before to ease the balance situation while teaching the new student to fly the kite.

So how do we contact these guys?

Hey, if you are interested in a pair, I own a retail shop that sells them in Marquette, MI. Contact me, and I can give you all of the info. Plus, we’ve ridden them, so we can give you more insight too…

Contact info at www.goswitchback.com
or
mike “at” goswitchback.com
906-362-4327

I’m in Calif, not that that matters but nobody has addressed the binding in terms of cost relative to the ski…..total package $$$. We snow shoe and are unfamiliar with telemark boots or bindings. Is there a ball park figure out there for ski’s, boots, bindings? We’re interested but need more info.

how much does a pair weigh (without bindings)?