Snoskate ski innovation?

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 22, 22 October 1985, Page 17

Snoskate ski innovation?

Andy Floreani of South Lake Tahoe, California, was in town recently demonstrating his 120cm Snoskate which threatens to be a major innovation in ski design. The most obvious difference to conventional skis, apart from their shortness, is the liquid mass dampening system, eomposed of parafin oil and tiny ball bearings, contained in clear plastic in front of the binding. The effect of the oil and bearings is to dampen vibration, and to add inertia which gives the feeling of using longer skis as speed increases. The result is a smooth ride over bumpy terrain. The skis are also wider than normal with a concave bottom. Andy, a former aerospace

engineer during the Apollo moon shot programme, reckons the snoskate is the "common cure for terminal intermediates," and says a novice can learn to ski in a few hours.

Andy says skiing on the snoskate is easier, safer and more fun. It certainly looked that way when he was skimming Turoa slopes, though some were heard to say — "it's not really skiing."