Having been a keen skier for years, I never really understood why a convenient carrier had not been made before. My family, friends and I have struggled with the cumbersome task of lugging skis to and from the slopes countless times, and the only thing that helped with carrying skis (apart from ski buses) was the après-ski stops on the way home!

The idea for the ‘Ski-Walker’ was conceived over two skiing holidays:
An idea came during a holiday in 2006 (New Year in Val d’Isere). I witnessed a man slipping over while carrying skis using a shoulder carrier. He landed on top of the skis with a crash, and it looked horribly painful. He must have landed with the brakes in his back because he took a long time to get up.

During my next holiday (Meribel in March 2006), I saw the classic swish - when someone was carrying skis on their shoulders at rush hour, and turned a corner. You have all witnessed that I am sure! The young lady behind was clonked in the face and blood was drawn!

I resolved to try to change things!
I had seen a few ski carriers before (not many) but they had been over-the-shoulder straps which attached skis to the person. Having witnessed that man landing on his skis, and also the lady getting skis in her face I decided that making a ‘handle’ to keep skis away from heads and faces was the way to go.

I figured that the only time that you would ‘put-on’ and ‘take-off’ a ski carrier would be where you were going to start/stop skiing – on the snow! So, the next consideration was that it had to be quick to use – really quick. Also small and light so that it could easily be carried around all day in small pockets, and simple enough for children to use themselves and not struggle with. I didn’t want to rely on the use of Velcro (‘hook and loop’) because it can impregnate with ice, and also I didn’t want to entrust small children with fastening it properly. The idea that children have a ski carrier that is simple and quick to use must appeal to all parents out there!

So, the ‘Ski-Walker’ was made….
When using the ‘Ski-Walker’, skis are kept away from heads and (other peoples) faces, and sharp edges, brakes and bindings are kept off expensive ski jackets and clothes. Skis are carried in the best possible position should one slip and/or fall. Also, and most importantly, using a ‘Ski-Walker’ lowers ones centre of gravity – really useful when walking on snow and ice!

We then chose experienced and safety conscious organisations to test out the ‘Ski-Walker’:
We wrote to Dr. Mike Langran who runs the website www.ski-injury.com on the prevention of snowsports injuries. Dr. Langran is Director of the Scottish Snow Sports Safety Study, UK secretary of SITEMSH (International Society for Skiing Traumatology and Winter Sports Medicine) as well as both Board member and UK National Secretary of the International Society for Skiing Safety (ISSS). After giving his team some ‘Ski-Walkers’ to test, he wrote:

Similarly, we wrote to the British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI), sent up some samples of the ‘Ski-Walker’ for testing and they wrote back:

Again, we wrote to a ski school – the European Ski & Snowboard School – an independent ski school based in the heart of Les Deux Alpes. They have tried and tested the ‘Ski-Walker’ and have given it the “approved” status as a safe means of getting to and from the ski areas.
www.europeanskischool.co.uk

All of us here at ‘Ski-Walker’ don’t expect to change the world with our little ski carrier. However, we do feel that it offers a safe way to walk with skis on the snow. If it prevents just one accident, then it has been worth it. It makes carrying skis less of a struggle for everyone, not just for children and beginners. It actually keeps skis (and poles) together in the locker room, on the school bus and outside the après-ski bars! From all at www.ski-walker.com – Happy and Safe Skiing!