The skinny on the National Trikke Skki Inn

Plus, a Skki Inn vet on what to wear and what to bring.

Riding high at the 2010 Skki Inn.

The location may have changed but the event remains the same: the National Trikke Skki Inn, the largest annual gathering of snow carvers in the United States and a chance for Trikke and Trikke Skki enthusiasts to be amongst their own.

Skki Inn’s one through five — from 2008 to 2012 — were held in Utah; but the 2013 Skki Inn — which gets underway this weekend — had to be relocated to Hoodoo Mountain in Oregon, thanks, in part, to a snub by Utah officials.

If riding a Trikke is akin to skiing on pavement, riding a Trikke Skki is akin to skiing on snow on a Trikke. They both unleash the joy of unbound, three-point carving and provide a similar kind of freedom of movement. Thus, it comes as no surprise that many a Trikke lover has also fallen in love with the Trikke Skki, and that the Skki Inn is a chance for so-called trikkers to be around others who understand their three-point passion.

“It’s a really fun, five days of skking, laughing and community building,” says Ann Pirone, coordinator of the Trikke Academy, the event’s organizers. “It’s a Trikke Skki winter vacation with some really cool and fun people. Both John Simpson [Trikke Tech CEO] and Gildo Beleski [Trikke inventor] will be in attendance as well.”

So what else should know about the Skki Inn? TrikkeWorld carved out a few answers from the Trikke Academy, as well as Skki Inn veteran Douglass Weymouth of the TWM blog, Douguss Amonguss:

Skki Inn info

(Provided by the Trikke Academy)

• Overview — Four full days of snow carving with Trikke Skkiers, ranging from beginners to advance, from all over the world (January 30th through February 3 or 4th, depending on departure date).
• Accommodations — The Academy rents large upscale homes, then rents out the rooms and beds for the event. Dinner and Continental breakfast is included each day. Also available: DIY accommodations, which allow families or small groups to rent their own condos or homes in the same community. 
• Activities — Trikke Skking during the day, dinner together, and fun games each evening. And don’t forget about Jacuzzi time. There will also be a raffle with prizes on Saturday night, and prizes for the team winners of the evening activities. Depending on conditions, Skki competitions will be held.

What to bring and wear to the Skki Inn

(Provided by Douglass Weymouth)

• Skki Jacket — should have a hood to protect from wind when on the lift; should also be as moisture resistant as possible.
• Skki pants — should be moisture resistant to avoid getting a wet butt from sitting on the lift and/or falling.
• Base layer — I use Capilene, but whatever you use, it should wick moisture away, so you don’t sweat and then freeze.
• Wool socks — I wear two pairs for a nice fit in my boots and plenty of warmth.
• Gloves — I have two pairs for Skking and another just to wear afterwards.
• Helmet — should have ear flaps (Everyone is required to wear a helmet when on the Skki).
• Nice warm boots — waterproof.
• Muffler to wrap around the neck and face when on the lift
• Apres Skki — Regular clothes should be fine, as we won’t be going out and about in the evening.
• Warm hat or beanie (to keep my head warm until I put on my helmet; sometimes I wear a beanie under my helmet.