Service searching for new ‘ski system’ - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Service searching for new ‘ski system’

The Marine Corps is searching for next-generation skis to replace aging NATO gear that has been in use for about 30 years.

Specifically, the service wants an entire “ski system,” including skis, ski boots, bindings, poles, ski skins, and a wax kit that would allow Marines to operate in a wide range of snow conditions, according to a Jan. 24 notice to industry. That includes skiing downhill, uphill and cross-country in temperatures ranging from 40 degrees to minus 25, officials said.

Currently, Marines operating in snowy environments are issued ski gear that after three decades is: no longer manufactured; is difficult to transport; uses a binding that is incompatible with most modern boots; is heavy, bulky, difficult to maneuver in wooded areas; and requires “meticulous” application of ski wax, according to documents published last year by Marine Corps Systems Command.

Several obstacles could hinder procurement of a new system, however, according to the documents. Those include a lack of domestic ski manufacturers and a lack of interest by suppliers to “ramp up” for a small order of 2,250 pairs.

At the time, testing was slated for sometime this year. However, officials at MCSC now say the program may be canceled. They declined to elaborate or answer any questions about the procurement effort.

If purchased, the system would include skis that weigh no more than 7 pounds when paired with bindings. The skis must be nonreflective white and support a Marine in full combat load — weighing up to 350 pounds.

They must have metal edges and a proper shape for use in multiple conditions, and accommodate skins that can grip the ground and allow skiers to move uphill. Also, the skis must have small holes at the tip and tail, so they can be synced with winter medevac stretchers.

The bindings must allow for downhill or cross-country use.

The poles must weigh less than 2 pounds, be adjustable in length, and compatible with Marine Corps gloves or mittens. The poles’ handles must be made of a nonmetallic material, to mitigate heat loss through a Marine’s hands.

Also included will be a ski wax kit including a scraper and applicator, and two types of wax. Kick wax provides grip on snow for traveling cross-country. Glide wax will increase Marines’ speed while descending slopes.