The Altai Mountains of central Asia are a birthplace of skiing where for centuries herdsmen relied on horsehair-covered planks to traverse the rugged land. A new company, Altai Skis, takes inspiration from those ancient techniques with a unique backcountry ski advertised to blend the qualities of snowshoeing and Nordic-style skiing.
This winter, I’ve been testing Altai’s Hok model, a stubby wood ski with steel edges and a climbing skin integrated into the base. They cost about $200 and come with two binding options, three-pin or a universal binding that cinches onto any winter boot.
I skied in the company’s universal bindings, which fit snugly on my boots and were comfortable on the move. Striding in the company’s 125cm ski, I have put many hours on the Altais this winter in rolling woods and backcountry areas that I would normally hit with snowshoes.
The skis’ short profile allowed me to go over uneven surfaces, including tromping through the woods. I could make quick turns and adjustments to my line thanks to the metal edges. Best of all, I was able to glide over deep snow, something not possible in snowshoes.
While the indigenous people of the Altai Mountains use a single pole to control their skis and move about, I used my trekking poles, which worked just fine. If you want to go the traditional route, the company recommends a pole that is slightly taller than your height for single-pole propulsion.
