Upski - when you'd rather sail up the mountain than skin

[Nick]

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/upskisnow/upski-experience-wind-mountaineering?ref=live

That's something new.

Coming from paragliding, I have seen people use chutes and airfoils to climb a slope before, but I'm betting there are so many variables here. Including, wind direction, is the wind speed sufficient, what happens with gusts and getting blown off a clif, etc etc.

This is probably much more useful for open environments than narrow trails, but hey.

 

[skiNEwhere]

You pretty much said everything I wanted to say.

Interesting concept, but yep, I bet it's really hard to control and only useful above treeline.

And I doubt it's faster when a unexpected gust of wind gets you stuck in a tree like a cat

 

[UpSki Kevin]

Nick thanks for inviting us onto the forum here.
Yes, our prefered terrain is generally above treeline... which we have a lot of in Colorado. We really want to make a trip East to check out Mt Washington... looks like a lot of fun!
The UpSki can rapidly deflate and depower, that's the beauty of it! It can absorb significant shifts in wind speed and direction without overwhelming the user. Stuck on a tree? no- not really, because it can deflate so quickly (ie. seconds) it is very easy to avoid trees. We have a great track record of using UpSkis high in the mountains for climbing thousands of feet per hour- without skins, chairlift, or fuss.

 

[AdironRider]

Ten pounds! Yeah that's going to go over well.

 

[Nick]

Nick thanks for inviting us onto the forum here.
Yes, our prefered terrain is generally above treeline... which we have a lot of in Colorado. We really want to make a trip East to check out Mt Washington... looks like a lot of fun!
The UpSki can rapidly deflate and depower, that's the beauty of it! It can absorb significant shifts in wind speed and direction without overwhelming the user. Stuck on a tree? no- not really, because it can deflate so quickly (ie. seconds) it is very easy to avoid trees. We have a great track record of using UpSkis high in the mountains for climbing thousands of feet per hour- without skins, chairlift, or fuss.

Thanks for joining! It certainly looks like fun and the idea is cool.

Do you expect to need training for this? Is there a chance of getting blown away?

To the comment about 10 lb, no thanks - you have to think about the energy you are saving getting pulled up hill

 

[skiNEwhere]

This is an interesting concept, but what I am wondering is how much research and weather forecasting knowhow is needed to do this. I would think if you weren't prepared, using this would be analogous to having a sailboat in the water with no breeze.

I bet it is pretty cool to see it in use in person though, are you guys giving a public demonstration anytime soon? I'm somewhat nearby

 

[Savemeasammy]

This does look interesting, however I wonder how much visibility and reaction time you have when the sail/chute (?) is in front of you? Does it obstruct your view, or is it high enough so that you see under it?


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[steamboat1]

Who has the right of way? The uphill skier or the downhill skier? Technically both skiers would be in front of eachother just going in opposite directions

 

[UpSki Kevin]

skiNEwhere, in the area of Idaho Springs, we've used the wind to ascend in lots of nearby places: St Marys, Bierstadt, Montezuma (before A-Basin took it over), Loveland pass, and Eisenhower tunnel.
The purpose of our project on kickstarter is to fund demo equipment so that we can give more people (like you) the opportunity come out and participate in the sport with us. We actually put ski dates in as rewards for supporting the project.

Visibility isn't much of a problem. It is easy to see around the UpSki, you don't ski straight at it the whole time. Right of way has never been much of a problem since we don't spend time in crowded places, but typically who ever is lowest on the slope is given the right of way.

 

[mriceyman]

Who has the right of way? The uphill skier or the downhill skier? Technically both skiers would be in front of eachother just going in opposite directions

you guys are all nuts lol

 

[skiNEwhere]

skiNEwhere, in the area of Idaho Springs, we've used the wind to ascend in lots of nearby places: St Marys, Bierstadt, Montezuma (before A-Basin took it over), Loveland pass, and Eisenhower tunnel.
The purpose of our project on kickstarter is to fund demo equipment so that we can give more people (like you) the opportunity come out and participate in the sport with us. We actually put ski dates in as rewards for supporting the project.

Visibility isn't much of a problem. It is easy to see around the UpSki, you don't ski straight at it the whole time. Right of way has never been much of a problem since we don't spend time in crowded places, but typically who ever is lowest on the slope is given the right of way.

When were you in St.Mary's? That's actually where I live but I put Idaho Springs since that is my mailing address. I made a small contribution btw, you've spiked enough interest in me to want to see this thing in action

 

[steamboat1]

Right of way has never been much of a problem since we don't spend time in crowded places, but typically who ever is lowest on the slope is given the right of way.

Going uphill wouldn't the skier lowest on the slope be the overtaking skier?

 

[skiNEwhere]

Going uphill wouldn't the skier lowest on the slope be the overtaking skier?

I wouldn't this this would be the biggest issue you'd need to worry about. It's meant for BC and with that huge chute I don't think any uphill skiers would have an issue seeing you

 

[snowmonster]

Given that it can only be used above treeline and the kind of vegetation and terrain we have here in the East, there will only be limited application for this. I also assume that it can only be used until a certain degree of steepness is reached. Above say a 45 degree slope, a skier would probably be better off bootpacking up rather then using this. Above treeline skiing here is concentrated mostly in the ADK, Presis and Katahdin.

Let's assume that this will be used at Tux (the most likely place for most). Let's say that the winds are favorable and the snowpack has not melted in the spring and Little Headwall is stable. A Tux skier can use this above treeline after HoJo's to take him to the base of the Bowl. That's usually a 30-45 minute hike. Assuming this thing takes an efficient skier 10 minutes to put on and it glides you to the Bowl in 10 minutes, you're really just shaving off 10-25 minutes. With a 10 lb. weight penalty, it may not be worth it -- at least here in the East. Now, hitting the open slopes at Loveland, that's another thing.

 

[Nick]

Given that it can only be used above treeline and the kind of vegetation and terrain we have here in the East, there will only be limited application for this. I also assume that it can only be used until a certain degree of steepness is reached. Above say a 45 degree slope, a skier would probably be better off bootpacking up rather then using this. Above treeline skiing here is concentrated mostly in the ADK, Presis and Katahdin.

Let's assume that this will be used at Tux (the most likely place for most). Let's say that the winds are favorable and the snowpack has not melted in the spring and Little Headwall is stable. A Tux skier can use this above treeline after HoJo's to take him to the base of the Bowl. That's usually a 30-45 minute hike. Assuming this thing takes an efficient skier 10 minutes to put on and it glides you to the Bowl in 10 minutes, you're really just shaving off 10-25 minutes. With a 10 lb. weight penalty, it may not be worth it -- at least here in the East. Now, hitting the open slopes at Loveland, that's another thing.

Yeah like he said earlier this plays better in open terrain, which the east is not.

I definitely think if the conditions are correct (wind speed, direction, etc) then this could be a huge boon, but I would imagine a lot of days wouldn't have ideal conditions.

I wonder if there are any fun ways to use this on a descent

 

[UpSki Kevin]

at Saint Mary's: straight up the gut of the "Glacier" and off towards James Peak, We haven't been up there for a while. Last time I remember doing laps up the channel/couloir section.

Its a great product, follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/UpSki to keep up with what we are doing. This will be a big a big season for us!