In comparison to classical touring skis, folding skis enable the soldiers easier transportation and better mobility. The Slovenian army emphasizes that carrying 1.7-metre-long skis on a mountain terrain is not only strenuous but also a dangerous endeavour. The initial idea was born more than 10 years ago. The designers then won a public tender of Defence Ministry in 2015, which contributed 100.000 euros for the development of the skis.

“Our wish was achieving better mobility of soldiers on mountainous battlefields in challenging winter conditions and obtaining skis that do not hinder the soldier when being carried around,” explains the commander of the 132nd mountain regiment Robert Klinar, adding that the required solutions needed to enable the soldiers to fold the skis, walk uphill and descend downhill. Additionally, its weight was not allowed to exceed six kilograms.

“There have been many sceptics who though it was impossible to ski with folding skis, but we’ve proven it’s possible,” argues Elan’s head of R&D Vinko Avguštin, noting that there had been prior attempts to make folding skis but most of them remained prototypes as it wasn’t possible to ski well with them.

“Good, functional folding skis haven’t existed on the market until now,” claims Avguštin, adding that the project of their development was very difficult and required a lot of knowledge and cutting-edge technology.

Available to civilians, too
Last week the Slovenian army took possession of the first ten pairs of skis that serve as a prototype and has already begun using them. It also plans to equip the first mountain unit, which has 150 members, with the skis this year. The Italian and the Austrian armies are also testing them and have so far given positive feedback.

In the 2018/19 winter season, the skis will also be available for purchase to civilians. Their price is expected to be double, approximately 2,000 euros. The skis are already being put to test by mountain climber and extreme alpine skier Davo Karničar, who intends to use them to ski down from the eight-thousander K2.

P. B., MMC; translated by K. Z.