Why a monoski???

By John Carpenter

President

Snowshark Monoskis

How many people worldwide have asked that question? And, how many have never received an intelligent or informed answer? I would suggest that the answer to those questions has prevented countless persons of all age groups and athletic ability from enjoying the sport of monoskiing!

How would I answer those questions that I had asked myself before I started Snowshark? Well, let me switch it around a little and ask the question “Why not a monoski??” So let’s get at it.

The “learning curve” is always right up there with skiing (two) being the most difficult to master, snowboarding being easier but with a somewhat more brutal and injury prone education process and then there is the monoski which I would suggest is the most user friendly of the group. My experience and observations are that most skiers who try a monoski find it less physically demanding and far more enjoyable. I have also noticed that most people become more comfortable on a monoski and advance further that they would have especially on two skis.

How many times have you gone down for a “beer and burger” at lunch and never really had enough left in the legs for the afternoon? Call it a lack of training or lack of time for both the training and actual on slope training and experience. Now here’s a little secret of the monoski, it’s less demanding on the lower body than two skis and especially in powder where very few skiers, again two, ever get the time or opportunity to learn to powder ski. How many can’t even keep track of where one ski is in relationship to the other?? Now, don’t feel embarrassed because most skiers are in that group. On a monoski you damn well know where the ski is because there is only one to keep track of. Get the picture?? The perfect parallel skier, instantly and most of the skills and theory of skiing actually are transferred over.

Now, let’s look at performance. In the beginning, monoskis and skis had straight side walls as in “no parabolic shape”. And then the snowboard introduced the shape or parabolic to the snow sport industry because without it, a snowboard would be almost impossible to turn. So that’s what we did to the monoski. We’ve spent an enormous amount of time designing and testing shaped monoskis that now either rival or surpass the performance of both snowboards and two skis in all aspects.

Then there’s the gear. Monoskies typically use ski bindings, boots, poles and accessories and that means a lower cost to you.

To sum it up, monoskiing makes perfect sense as a performance oriented and enjoyable snow sliding sport for all ages. And, the sport is growing as Snowshark enjoys its fourth consecutive year of triple digit sales increases.

So why not try a monoski? You may never go back!