Bushwalk Australia

Somebody once mentioned that he had adapted skis (downhill ones I think) to make his own version of snow shoes for Tassie conditions. The upshot was that when there’s snow on top of vegetation, which collapses, you can usually just push forward through it on mini skis, rather than having to extricate your snow shoes. Sounds like a lot of labour-saving at times. And perhaps they might have a bit better flotation in powder (?) – depending on how long they are.

I’m wondering if anybody here has done something like that. I think he cut the skis off short (not sure how short), and used an angle grinder to make a cross-hatch non-slip bottom surface.

I’m thinking of trying to take the idea a step further, and have something removable (more crampon-esque than skins). That would mean better grip when it’s icy in the mornings, plus I’d have baby skis to have a bit of a slide on user-friendly downhills. I’m always a tad disappointed when I’m on a snow shoe walk and come across a nice little slope that’s calling for fun. I know the shape would be all wrong for a proper glide, but it might just do what I’m after. I'm thinking of a Yowie-type attachment to the ski with webbing and buckles.

This project may never eventuate, but I picked up a pair of skis today, which at worst would mean an $8 donation to Lions.

Ta for any thoughts.

Google Trak Bushwackers
My own experience is that cut off skis are great on the piste they are useless off it
wide short ski with a patterned base works very well tho in our dense scrub
I haven't seen a short wide patterned ski here in ages tho
135cm is a good length but they also need to be about 120mm wide to give any flotation at all

Moondog55 wrote:Google Trak Bushwackers

"Short wide skis" in youtube hit #1
They don't look wider than 13cm

http://www.mtnapproach.com/index.php

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