Description

New for 2024-25 !

The Tao is a blending of our two original skis, the Hok and the Kom. At 165 cm the Tao is a bit longer then the 162 Kom and the waist width – 100 mm – a bit wider than the Kom’s (98 mm). The Tao is 10 mm narrower in the waist than the Hoks, giving it better edge hold on firmer snows. We also blended the mounting point of the Hoks and Koms – forward mounted but not to the degree the Hoks are. Tip shape is the same on all our skis and the height is pretty much the same too. We like tall tips for breaking trail :-). The tail is a bit more squared off than the Hoks (more in line with the Koms).

The Tao keeps the integrated skin of the Hok as well as the stainless inserts and adds a fiberglass binding retention plate for more binding options. The Tao is a more traditional backcountry ski with the climbing and go anywhere qualities of the Hoks.

We have tested the Tao quite a bit since last April and updated our prototypes 3 times. The Taos have been tested with 3 pins and 2 buckle plastic (T4s and Excursions) as well as sturdy leather boots (the Alico Mountain). For more aggressive downhill focused skiing the plastic boots are generally better, but in good soft snow the leathers were quite good as well. The Taos have the same insert hole pattern as the Hoks so 3 pins, 3 pin cable, and older 3 hole tele bindings all can be directly mounted without drilling. We also put in a fiberglass binding retention plate (like in the Koms) so other bindings can be drilled and mounted as well. As with the Koms, we recommend a PU or urethane type glue in the holes and under the toe piece to keep the binding stable on the ski and seal the screw holes.

The Tao has been tested with two poles as well as our single pole (tiak). I prefer the single pole as the advantage of two poles – propulsion – is at best muted by having a skin integrated in the ski. I find it easier and more fun to ski downhill with a single pole…. my opinion, to each their own.

Inserts are stainless steel so we recommend (and use) non stainless screws (zinc coated) as stainless into stainless tends to bind up. We sell a 3 pin heel kit that include all screws for 3 hole toe pieces as well as a set of our heel pieces and screws, some thread locker, and a #3 Phillips bit for the screws. We also include an AS scraper with the Taos.

Specifications:

Length – 165 cm.

Dimensions – 121-100-118

Weight – 5 lb. 3 oz.

Integrated climbing skin

Stainless inserts for 3 hole bindings

Binding retention plate

Wood core/Steel Edges

Slight rockered tip and tail

Price: $289.95

In China Tao is generally referred to as “The Way” and is one of the older philosophies/religions of East Asia. In the Altai Mountains Tao means mountain and the Ibex in the graphic are called Tao Ishka – Mountain Goat. I found the petroglyph the Tao graphic is based on wandering along the banks of the Burchin River, a large tributary of the Irtysh River that flows out of the Altai mountains and north into the arctic. It has been one of my favorite petroglyphs as it beautifully captures the movement and detail of the Ibex and the hunter. As you can see in the picture the hunter does not have skis on though local older hunters have told me they did hunt Ibex on skis. The Altai Ibex is the most common animal seen on petroglyphs in the region so traditionally it must have been highly regarded and a significant animal sought after by hunters. With the advent of guns they became fairly easy targets and though not endangered they are seldom seen now in the Altai mountains.