In The Snow Magazine - November 2011
Portaski Trailled By NSP
National Ski Patrol (NSP), the US leading authority for on-mountain safety, is testing Portaski on the slopes of Colorado. Portaski, a revolutionary ski-carrying device, features a patented wheel-sled, allowing skis to be effortlessly transported on any terrain. Tim White, Executive Director of NSP said "With the emergence of new snow sports requiring new safety and rescue techniques, Portaski is an interesting proposition." He continued "The durability of Portaski has the potential to enable our patrollers to become more agile on foot which could ultimately save more lives."
With a revolutionary design, the lightweight pocket-sized device carries up to 70% of the weight of your skis, and takes just seconds to attach. Portaski works perfectly on skis of all sizes. Dedicated to serving the public and outdoor recreation industry, by providing education accreditation to emergency care and safety service providers, NSP serves over 600 patrols, including alpine, Nordic, and auxiliary patrollers.
The Sun - February 2011
LET'S be honest, skiing holidays have their annoyances. If it's not the super-trendy speed demons unsettling you down the slopes, it's the ankle-breaking efforts you have to put into getting your boots on. Then, of course, there is the walking in said boots....
In fact there is a whole world of frustration to experience when you're not actually making your decent from the mountain, and most revolve around carrying the skis.
Now I for one have taken a crack to the back of the head thanks to someone's reckless 'over the shoulder' technique (and in my darker moments dished one or two out myself!)
Then there is the crunched fingers, the snag on your jacket and even the totally humiliating drop-then-stumble. All these had been commonplace on my ski trips until the most recent jolly when packed in my suitcase was PortaSki.
'As easy as A, B, ski', they say. And they're not far wrong.
This revolutionary take on a traditional sled requires little pre-planning before use - even I managed it first time!
Simply pop open the pocket-sized case, lie the tip of both skis on the tray and secure with a velcro strap (as an aside, the velcro didn't show any sign of wear from the snow/wet by the end of the trip). Then, attach the handle at the other end and head for slopes, dragging your skis safely behind you. It really is as easy as a-b-ski!
Dump
Even after a heavy dump - one of the best of the season so far according to my ski guide - PortaSki still worked a treat. The company claim the design carries up to 70 per cent of the weight of your skis, and although I couldn't really prove that, the ease with which I hauled them through the snow seems to bear it out.
The wheels of the cart even stood up to gravel-like approach roads leading to the cable car.
On the 'taking the weight' claim made by PortaSki, they also add that it opens the door for children to carry their own skis. While I don't have any of my own, I got the sense it could have a similar effect to that of the Trunki in the fact that young kids seem altogether happier when given a 'responsibility'.
In terms of size, PortaSki is no bigger really than a digital camera and case, and certainly doesn't weigh any more. I barely noticed it in one of the many pockets of my ski jacket. Even when I fell (an all too common occurrence, truth be told) it stood up to the force with which I hit the ground and at the same time didn't cause me any extra discomfort.
Above all, this cheap and effective little device was a delightful addition to my trip. The hassle it saved was worth the minimal fee. I'd go so far as to suggest it should be compulsory on the slopes!
Portaski Review at www.thesun.co.uk
Ski-Buzz - April 2010
At Ski Buzz, we're always looking to try new gadgets and products, especially if they're going to make our lives easier. Portaski promises to 'make carrying your skis a thing of the past'.
So we wanted to put these claims to the test. We took delivery of a brand new Portaski and opened the box in anticipation.
As you get a look at its slick packaging, you know the Portaski is going to be a well-designed product. From the website, to the box, to the Portaski itself – every aspect of this product has been carefully considered. It comes as no surprise that the Portaski creator, Mike Johnston, has spent several years perfecting the product.
From its compact, lightweight shell to the patented wheel sled that suits all terrain, Portaski is a design success. The concept is good, the website looks good and the product looks good. But the biggest question is – does it work?
Follow the simple instructions and you will be on your way to finding out. Detach the tray from the handle and insert your skis into the tray. Secure them with the velcro strap before attaching the handle to the other end of the skis. Again, fully secure with the velcro strap. As Portaski says, it's 'as easy as a-b-ski.'
Now to the real test, that patented wheel sled. Although the wheels look relatively small, they easily navigate uneven surfaces and can even negotiate snow and ice. Taking up to 70% of the weight of your skis, Portaski makes lugging your skis about a much less traumatic experience. If you're the kind of guy that carries your partner's skis in a misjudged and naive attempt at chivalry – the Portaski was invented for you.
The Portaski is marketed as lightweight and pocket-size. At only 217g, it certainly is lightweight and it does fit into a standard ski or snowboard jacket pocket. But we think it might be a little too big to carry comfortably in your ski or board trousers. If you're prone to a tumble, be careful about where you carry it while on the piste.
Portaski is now available for £19.95 delivered to your door.
Portaski Review at www.ski-buzz.co.uk
Active Snow Magazine - December 2008
It's all very well carrying your skis to the resort in a funky new Snokart, but unless you're staying in flash, ski-in, ski-out lodgings, it's getting your skis to and from the slopes that's the problem, isn't it?
Fret not, though, weaklings, for snow has yet another brilliant new gadget to showcase - one that means shoulder ache will be consigned to bar staff and bell - ringers alone. The Portaski is a cunning, patented new invention that combines an ergonomically designed tiny wheel-sled/try - which takes most of the weight of your skis - with a handle, allowing you cart them around with ease. 'It's as easy as a-b-ski,' as Portaski wittily states, and they may just be right.
In The Snow Magazine - November 2008
It can be quite an effort to drag your own skis around the slopes, never mind those of your partner or kids. However, those days of straining and struggling could be finally over, thanks in large to an ingenious little device called Portaski.
Portaski is a compact, lightweight pocket-sized gadget that's been designed to carry up to 70% of the weight of your skis. Taking mere seconds to attach to your skis, it can save you hours of hassle, and make your skiing holiday much more enjoyable.
Using a patented wheel-sled, Portaski allows you to transport your skis on any terrain no matter if it's covered in snow or not - and with the minimum of effort. It works perfectly on skis of all sizes, and because it takes away so much of the weight, it's ideal for adults and kids alike.
Although Portaski has been available in the past, the new improved model is a lot sleeker, and comes with an exciting new design. So impressive is the Portaski, it may just become the ski accessory for 2009.
So if you'd like a simple solution to carrying your skis on the slopes, order yours online at www.portaski.com from 1 November 2008.
Independent - December 2008
New on the slopes this winter, Portaski is a clever little energy-saving gadget. Adjustable straps secure your skis while the lightweight wheel-sled bears up to 70 per cent of the weight.
ifyouski.com
It can be quite an effort to drag your own skis around the slopes, never mind those of your partner or kids. However those days of straining and struggling could be finally over, thanks in large to an ingenious little device called Portaski.
Portaski is a compact, lightweight pocket-sized gadget that's been designed to carry up to 70% of the weight of your skis. Taking mere seconds to attach to your skis, it can save you hours of hassle, and make your skiing holiday much more enjoyable.
Using a patented wheel-sled, PortaSki allows you to transport your skis on any terrain no matter if it's covered in snow or not - and with the minimum of effort. It works perfectly on skis of all ages, and because it takes away so much of the weight, it's ideal for adults and kids alike.
Although PortaSki has been available in the past, the new improved model is a lot sleeker, and it has an exciting new design too. And so impressive is the PortaSki, we think it may just become the ski accessory for 2009.
WTSS Home
Simple solution to carrying your skis
A neat little device that has made transporting your skis easy is being re-launched for 2008/09.
You may remember the original Portaski: the light-weight, all-terrain 'wheel-sled' that attaches to your skis so that you can pull then along effortlessly - the gadget that 'shoulders' the weight instead of you? Well, the ingenious invention has been improved and redesigned this year.
The new Portaski is still compact, light and suitable for all skis. It takes seconds to attach and the wheels roll easily over any terrain - so, even the kids should be able to manage their own kit. And you probably won't notice it in your rucksack - the device weights just 217 grams.
Portaski is designed to be the simple solution to dragging your skis and poles around the slopes and the new version will be available 01 November.
Mail on Sunday
"If you are one of those gallant chaps who ends up with aching shoulders every year as you insist on lugging your partner's skis around as well as your own, then the Portaski could be just the thing for you...of course, it's great for skiing families as well, allowing youngsters to carry their own equipment easily. I think it's a bargain..."
www.skigirlsays.com
The Portaski is a creative little device from the UK. It does just as the name suggests, it helps you port your skis about the resort, the town or wherever you need to go.
Over the years, I've tried several gadgets for lugging my ski gear. From flimsy handles to fancy bags, there seem to be a wave of options every so often. So I admit, when I tried out the portaski I had no expectations. I figured, how could one carrier be all that different than the next?
I was pleasantly surprised. This device is quick to attach, lightweight and it really takes the burden off of carrying your skis, taking up to 70% of the weight. It doesn't simply give you a handle or a way of keeping your skis together to lug them around without your skis going this way and that. It does more; it takes the actual lugging out of transporting your skis.
A set of wheels and base attach to the tails of your skis. I find this base generous enough to support the wide range of ski tails on the market with a snug fit. A handle secures around the waist, or just above the binding, turning your skis into their own rolling luggage. When you are ready to ski, there is no ski bag to cram in your ski locker, just a small device that tucks neatly away.
The wheels maneuvered through gritty parking lots, snow and ice for me without a problem. My skis rolled right along. I saw a number of heads turn while I toted my skis behind me with ease. Nobody at my home resort had seen such a thing.