January 26, 2006 – Karhu, the leading innovator of Nordic ski equipment, recently won the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation ‘s highly selective rental contract. After a methodical equipment test, Karhu’s Snowblaze Fitness Touring ski package, featuring the Aero and Escape skis with Omnitrak bases, won the contract.

The Jackson Ski Nordic Center, known as the number one cross-country ski area in the eastern United States, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing memorable Nordic ski experiences. Tri-annually, the Jackson Ski Center begins the evaluation process to replace its used ski equipment. According to Tom Perkins, the Center’s Director for the last thirty-one years, “Our mission is to provide a memorable experience that is enjoyable for all levels of participation. We aim to find a Nordic package that will perform for all skill levels.”

The systematic Nordic equipment test spans over a week period with documented results from the patrollers, the instructors and the rental shop staff. Karhu’s touring package won on performance merits due to the skis exceptional performance on climbing, turning, gliding, maneuverability and stability for both beginners and intermediates. Karhu’s General Manager, Charles Lozner comments on the specific Snowblaze package; “The Escape and Aero are built in Finland with a ‘RACING CONSTRUCTION’ and a ‘FITNESS TOURING GEOMETRY’. These are racing skis on the inside and recreational skis in shape and size. Together the combination makes them Fitness Touring skis.”

Tom Perkins comments on the performance of the winning Nordic package, “We’re really happy with how effective the non-wax skis turn and glide. For a timid or new skier, the Escape’s offers stability and turn easily. For intermediate skiers, the Aero is quick and basically turns on its own” In fact– Tom adds, “Our instructors have been so impressed with Karhu’s package, that many have bought them for their own personal equipment.”

Karhu understands how rigorous the testing procedures are for the Jackson Touring Center to choose a supplier. This is why Karhu considers the contract as such an honor. As stated by Lozner, “It’s one thing to win contracts with retailers based on relationships or higher margins. It’s another to win based on a rigorous two-week performance evaluation and a decision based solely on the function of the skis. That to us says a lot about our product.”
About Karhu: Over the past 30 years, Karhu has offered revolutionary products, such as the first XCD? Backcountry skis, the first Widetrak? Touring skis, the Sweeper Winter Trekking skis, and the Omnitrak? waxless base. These innovations have pushed Nordic performance to new levels. Into the future, Karhu will continue to aggressively develop and promote key areas of growth in Telemark, Backcountry and Nordic skiing.