Altai Kom skis

[MikeK]

Didn't we learn somewhere that the KOM was designed by the same guy that did the current Madshus (former Karhu) line?

[lilcliffy]

YUP- same dudes that were involved in the design and engineering of the Karhu XCDs- made in the Karhu factory in QC- before it closed .

[alpendrms]

lilcliffy wrote: Also- I'm intrigued- what is the "Hill People Gear Winter Gathering camp"?

Here is a thread about this year's event:
http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Forum/tab ... fault.aspx

And also a link to the Facebook page about it:


This will be the third year I've been involved with it. I'm actually a Brand Ambassador for Hill People Gear. Just hard-use backcountry focused equipment. The two prior years, it was set up as a Gathering of like-minded folks who enjoy getting out in the high country, sharing knoweldge informally, and having some winter fun. It's been the high point of each winter for me....you end up making good friends and learning all kinds of things. This year, HPG is making it into a more formal winter skills venue, in the interest of attracting some folks to it that probably were afraid to attend in the past because maybe they felt they didn't have the right equipment for hard-core winter camping, or felt they lacked certain skills. So, this year is set up to be conducted out of a lodge facility, with the option to do an outside overnight if they desire. Plus, we'll be offering actual classes on different winter skills-focused subjects...to help out the folks that never learned certain things and want to get out in the winter more. Basic level stuff mostly, but helpful to those that never had the opportunity before.

Switching gears....to compare my XCD Guides to my Koms....I used to ski my XCD Guides pretty often in the Wasatch (usually above Alta in Grizzly Gulch & Catherine Pass). They always performed pretty well in deep powder...especially for a ski that isn't very fat. I suppose that is probably because they are light and also are pretty flexible. I still like them a lot. When I would simply tour for turns, I would ski another set of Karhus...Team 100s with 22 Designs AXLs. These are still my "big mountain ski", as it were. However....once I got onto my Koms, I hardly ever use the other skis I own. They're just that much fun to me...whether I am touring with a pack on, pulling a pulk, or just doing some tree skiing...in nice powder or on junk snow...they perform well enough to keep me smiling. Even though they are short by most standards (and I'm 6'2"), I've never had them sink or feel clunky. Certainly, they will never be as fast as a longer fat ski, but for my favorite type of skiing....where I just go to a snowy, hilly area with open meadows, forests, and decent occasional downhill runs....they shine. Don't know how else I can describe them...the Koms just make you want to explore snow that maybe you might otherwise miss out on.

[connyro]

alpendrms: the Koms only come in 165 length, right? Do you feel they are too short for your height/weight or is the short length not an issue?

[alpendrms]

alpendrms: the Koms only come in 165 length, right? Do you feel they are too short for your height/weight or is the short length not an issue?

They're actually 162s. Nope...I'm 6'2" and 210 lbs soaking wet. I have yet to feel like they are too short for me. Must be something about the design of the ski and the mounting point for bindings.
One good idea would be to shoot an email to Nils Larsen at Altai Skis. He's formerly of Karhu, in fact he had a big hand in the design of the XCD line. When I was mulling over whether I wanted to buy a pair, he answered all of my questions quickly and intelligently. They have great customer service, too. I've been really impressed with Altai Skis as a company.

[connyro]

Thanks for the info! I've drooled over the Koms since they came out but opted for Vector BCs (182) instead because I prefer longer skis. Where I live, we get very deep cold snow (not this year though) so floatation is a big deal for both turns and touring/climbing. At your size, I'm surprised they work out so well for you. I'm shorter and lighter, so I'm glad to hear they work well in that length. Now I'm thinking ahead to next year (shit weather does that) and brewing up the idea of Koms with Telebulldog Spike 3-pin bindings and Excursions or leathers.

[alpendrms]

No worries...glad to help! When I skied them at Whitegrass in West Virginia last year...a lot of the local free heel folks, including Whitegrass owner Chip Chase, were coveting them, too! It gets really cold in that part of WV...teens into the single digits. The snow is often ice crust, but still deep once they get a dump, with lots of melt-freeze cycles because of the weather patterns. Even in those way less than perfect ski conditions, they did fine for me.

[lilcliffy]

Thanks for the great info on the Kom (and the HPG!).

Your experience and comments confirm my thoughts on the Kom vs. a ski like the Guide (the Guide has a lot more true XC DNA in it)- and like your experience, I find the Guide to shine in deep powder snow- only.

I too have had a great experience with Atai Skis (been communicating with Nils). My next ski purchase is going to be the Hok.

I am very strongly considering the Kom for my wife and I- for mtn touring.

The profile and flex pattern of the Kom is refreshing...just the fact that they have minimal sidecut and all that width underfoot- flotation and traction- has me wanting them. The parabolic-sidecut-craze kind of drives me nuts to be honest...In deep, soft snow, the extreme sidecut does nothing for turning anyway- and that extra width underfoot gives excellent flotation and traction. Yes parabolic sidecut produces "easy-turnin" performance on hard/dense snow- but those open tips help- besides I can use a striding telemark to turn an almost straight ski anyway...

In the backcountry- give me the width underfoot- that's what I want...

It would take a bit for me to accept the short length...I weigh 165-185lbs in shape (currently 185)- in over 30 years of skiing I have never skied on a ski that short for my weight...but if I want the Kom- I'll have to accept 162cm! Doesn't look like they are seriously considering a longer Kom.

[alpendrms]

Cool! I hope you get a pair and love them!

The additional width underfoot is nice. In the early part of my military career, we were on the proverbial "white rockets of death" skis...but later got issued Völkls with Silvretta randoneé bindings....neither ski had much shape to them to speak of. Which meant you must ski in good form and really execute turns just right. I agree...the parabolic craze just made a lot of skiers lazy. That said, now that my joints aren't as nimble as they used to be after falling out of airplanes, heavy rucksacks, and combat zones for 26 years, I kind of appreciate some of the technology that's happened with ski, binding, and boot design. I still practice good form and carve like I should, but having a supportive boot and reliable bindings sure makes it nicer to get my skis up on edge. I think Nils has done some time on his Koms with leathers...but it seems most of the time he and others are roling with the T4s. I've found that my old-school Velocés still have plenty of life in them and are working well with the Targas. In a perfect world for me, I reckon I will someday get a pair of T4s. The Targas seem to be the right binding for me with them. I've got the Voile 3 pinners on another set of skis that are collecting dust!

[Woodserson]

As much as I try to get it, I think these are something I'd have to try first before buying. I'm having a tough time wrapping my head around these. lilcliffy, what are you seeing that I'm not? (with all due respect to alpendrms).