The Powder Revolution (Part 5)
Shane McConkey showing off his magical collection of ski designs with daughter Ayla. pc newschoolers
Too Good To Ignore
Surprisingly, that next opportunity came in 2003 on a trip to Alaska with Chuck “Huck” Patterson and several other big mountain skiers. Implementing his own insight on how ‘powder is like water’ MC did the unthinkable. He fixed a pair of ski bindings to his water skis then used the float of the water skis to keep him up on top of the powder MC cut loose on the Alaskan powder. The others thought he had truly lost his mind before he proceeded to charge down a 45-degree, 2,000-foot spine at 40 mph! No more questions popped up after that run. Full rocker, full float, and full throttle… that’s how MC loved to shred pow. And now he proved he could do it if he just had the right ski design.
K2 Takes Notice
In 2005, still pursuing his ultimate ski design and now under new sponsorship with K2, MC found himself on a Heli-trip in Whistler, British Columbia. In typical prankster fashion, with little regard for what he might look like, MC used wire to tie the tip and tails of his skis to his bindings, bending them into reverse camber. He charged so hard that day it was obvious to anyone around that his ultimate design could no longer be ignored. It was simply that good.
K2 noticed. The following year they took MC’s concept, and without going all in and keeping with common industry strategy, K2 introduced their boldest design to date, the K2 Pontoon. The Pontoon was massive (and still is) with dimensions 160/130/120 and almost no sidecut. At the time McConkey was surprised by the ski commenting in another interview, “I would have built something completely different. I’m glad they didn’t listen to me because the Pontoon is 10 times better than the Spatula ever was.”
K2’s “McConkey-inspired” Pontoon skis. pc aspentimes
His Legend & His Design Lives On
The ultimate ski design never went any further than before MC left us prematurely in a BASE-jumping accident in 2009. But what he left behind, beyond his wife (Sherry), daughter (Ayla), talents, accomplishments, and pranks was a truly unique approach to life and a revolutionary ski design. Thank you, Shane McConkey. RIP.
Shane McConkey goofing around with his K2 Pontoon skis. pc snowmovies
Mental Floss
What’s the logic and reasoning behind this design? Where did MC come up with his ideas? Thankfully, MC answers these questions himself in an article titled, Mental Floss from October 2002. Mental Floss describes just that, clearing out all the old pieces of information you thought you knew about powder skiing and making room for new ideas. It starts by recognizing three essential truths about powder skiing.
1.) Sidecut is not good in powder.
2.) Camber is not good in powder.
3.) Carving is not good in powder.
MC’s ultimate design works by using Floatation and Sliding instead of edging and carving. Floatation is the idea that it’s easier to ski powder on top of it like a water skier does than down in the snow. Traditionally, cambered skis would have you bounce up and down to keep your tips afloat. Not with the Spatulas. The reverse camber keeps your floating on top without having to lean back.
Sliding is another benefit of this ultimate design. Traditionally, sliding on cambered skis risked you catching a downhill edge and face-planting. A problem MC calls the “Unstable Hooker.” MC explains that on reverse-cambered skis you should, “Stand up and ski on two feet...” because Spatulas are so much easier to control at speed than traditionally cambered skis.
The Spatula Guarantee
MC doesn’t hold back in blind reverence to his idea either. He readily admits, “These skis are not versatile… (on groomers) they are manageable, but not great.” MC compares the Spatulas’ performance to how “a pair of GS skis work on powder.” But if these concepts are simply beyond your imagination or you think it’s too good to be true MC suggests you,
“Trade skis with a friend for a run. Just to compare what you used to ski on to what you have now. I guarantee you will only try this (Spatula) once….”
That’s a strong guarantee. There’s no doubt about it. But coming from one of the best skiers in history… it’s one I just might count on.
The iconic Eagle’s Nest later renamed McConkey’s in memory of the legend himself, Palisades Tahoe, California. pc snowbrains
Thanks for following along with this unbelievably fascinating story! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. We’ll be back again Monday with more insights from Focused on Freeride. Have a great weekend!!