Ski Blades for Winter OPs???

[XGEP]

I was just wondering if anyone has ever experimented using ski blades for winter ops. In case you don't know what they are, ski blades are about 2 foot long and have double ends. I was just wondering cause they could work better than snow shoes or cross country skis. They're short so you could hit the deck really fast, very manuverable, and easy to learn (if you can rollerblade you can use these) and can be worn with snow boarding boots with quick releases. Just a thought.

[Jesse]

I have some, but they won't replace snow shoes, especailly for 'hilly' terain. Without some skins to aid in climbing they are almost useless. They also don't displace as much snow and you sink more in powder. They are more fun than skis, IMHO, but not very vercitile. With the proper modifications they might be a good compromise, though.

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When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend.

-Jesse Foust

[Whammer]

With a ruck on, everything changes in shoes or skiis. You balance when skiing gets all ate up. Its hard enought to learn to ski for some troops. You can imagine with the short skiis... You still need the claws with shoes or skins with skiis.

[XGEP]

What about this, K2 makes what they call approach skis. They have cross country bindings that fit on snowboard boots, are a little longer than ski blades (say, 3-4 feet) and have built in skins. I'll try to find the website with a better description.

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XGEP

[XGEP]

http://www.k2snowboards.com/k2_800.htm

I can't get a direct link because it's a popup, go into gear, then into backcountry, it'll be the first thing that shows up. Other than the great color sceme (insert sarcasim here) they might be pretty usefull. (this coming from a person who's only experiance is a snow shoeing trip with a 65lb pack)

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XGEP

[XGEP]

Anybody???

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XGEP

[whisky8]

X,
Check out these Hagan AT skis. Hagan makes some really sweet AT skis. Fritischi Diamir make the best AT bindings in my opinion...
http://www.haganski.com/

[XGEP]

All right, I'm going to stop now. I guess that wasn't as great of an idea as I thought. (but hey, I'm learning)

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XGEP

[Enfield]

I think the Norwegians use those mini-skis - at the Oslo opening ceremonies they did a demo with them. Don't know what they use them for operationally...

[garett]

From the number of bad guys I saw chasing James Bond in different Bond films, I'd say that militaries around the world should train to fight against these skiing terrorists. Ski blades could be the decisive weapon in the fight against these "high speed" enemies.

[DFC5343]

The best for winter warfare ops is a Burton 170. Trust me I know.... http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif

[Snow]

I just found this topic: ski blades, sure!!! http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/smile.gif

And skates for crossing lakes...
Here`s some nice skiing pictures from "Bear 2001" exercise`s website: http://tietokannat.mil.fi/karhu01/kuvagalleria.php3


[This message has been edited by Snow (edited 12-10-2001).]