UpSki -The Equipment & Founders
UpSki
An operating release,
two emergency cut-aways
...and a knife.
The Equipment
The UpSki sail system includes a 625-square-foot parachute-shaped sail, a vent control mechanism, a padded harness with emergency release and a pack. Safety, ease of operation, and comfort are features of this unique gear. Controlling the UpSki
canopy is achieved by a patented venting system. UpSkiers instantly dump all or part of the air from the large sail simply by lifting their hand from the control center. Uses of the UpSki have included zipping skiers to the tops of high alpine
snowfields, hauling heavy sleds across Antarctica and pleasure ski sailing the expanses of Scandinavia and North America. Most participants, ages ranging from 16 to 65, are of intermediate or expert skiing abilities. The sport of UpSkiing is mostly
praticed in Norway, particularly in the region around Telemark.
Rigging area in
The Adventure Loft
where the UpSki is built
The Company
UpSki, Inc. was organized in 1985 to fund the early development of a new product. The co-founders and a small group of their friends hold the stock. A significant patent was accomplished in 1986 and since that time new uses and new products have been
under development.
UpSki Folks
Phil Huff and John Stanford are the kind of buddies that would spend the day Skydiving or Skiing and then spend the night talking about how to better their equipment. The UpSki project began after a backcountry ski down a long bowl. Resting at the bottom it was obvious there wasn't enough day for another climb and the conversation turned to harnessing the wind for a ride up. Over the next few years the idea
and the equipment were refined to meet new needs created by the realization of a powerful ski sail which, unlike parachutes, could quickly deflate and inflate. Many people helped the project either as test pilots or as investors and friends. Betsy Cuthbertson became a partner in the early days and continues to provide support. Jon Harrington, Dave Weissman and Greg Dietl form the core of active UpSkiers in the Central Rockies along with Jon Carney of Gunnison, Colorado.
Conrad Thane and Morten Savatun of Norway started a strong UpSki program in that part of the world and it continues today with the largest collection of canopies in one place. John White of England has a group of hard-core UpSkier friends who travel with
him to Scotland whenever that part of the world becomes white. Others who have advanced UpSkiing are Steve Shapson of Screaming Tuna in Milwaukee and Tom Nygaard of Minneapolis who organized some great races across Minnesota's Mille Lacs area.
