Altai 2026 Tao Skin Skis w/ Inserts - 165cm

Altai 2026 Tao Skin Skis w/ Inserts - 165cmThe 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 Koms (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 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.

Heavy duty 75mm boots (3 pins) and 2 buckle plastic (Scarpa T4s and T2's) 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.

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. 

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