Anybody that has had the pleasure of checking out the areas in and around Marquette County understands the awesome backcountry terrain that exists in this portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  For years, people have been exploring this area by foot, snowshoe, along with nordic and alpine skiing, but never all those disciplines combined.  

Ask any avid backcountry skier or snowboarder what the most frustrating aspect of their sport is and odds are they'll tell you it's gaining access to an area to ride.  You either have to backpack in and figure out a way to strap snowshoes on, or perhaps you're a nordic skier and riding skinny skis down a steep, powder filled face isn't happening.  Snowshoeing is a great utilitarian sport, but it isn't exactly the most exhilarating.

Enter Dave Ollila and the Marquette Backcountry Ski.  Part snowshoe, part ski, consider this a ski that acts like a mountain bike, opening up your eyes to a whole different world of opportunities in your own backyard.  Dave was frustrated with many of the same items discussed before.  He wanted something that was lightweight, durable and affordable like a snowshoe, but that could fit in the trunk of a car and was fun going downhill as well.
Dave Ollila Marquette Backcountry Ski
Dave getting after it in Marquette County!

Dave set out to not just create a new product, but he created an entirely new product category.  You see, the Marquette Backcountry Ski is technically not a nordic ski, it's not really an alpine ski, nor is it a snowshoe, it's in a category all to itself.  Being a bit of a serial entrepreneur (you have heard of the VIO P.O.V. Camera right?), Dave knew this was going to be an undertaking considering the types of challenges he put himself up against.
Marquette Backcountry Ski
His Challenge:
'One person with limited resources, produce a new product in less than 1-year and spend all the resources in Michigan.'  Everything from R&D to manufacturing of the actual product is handled in-state!

Getting technical for a moment you can understand the size and material makeup of this ski.

Length: 140cm length 150/130/140
Dimensions: Short and stout at 150/130/140
Material: Blow-molded plastic that is completely recyclable and hollow to keep weight down.
Edges: No, no edges.  This is a backcountry ski meant for deeper snow.
Binding Mounts: Brass inserts so there is no need for drilling.
Bottoms: Feature 'whale scales' or variable height scales to facilitate a nordic ski movement or the same movement you get when skinning up a pair of alpine boards.
Camber/Rocker: No camber at all, just a touch of early-rise rocker to help your float over the gnar.
Underside of Marquette Backcountry Ski
'Whale Scales' help traverse flat terrain and climb hills.

The Marquette Backcountry Ski is setup to be used with a traditional 3-pin binding that can accept either a lightweight touring boot, or if you're more aggressive, a harder tele-boot.  The ski is becoming very popular with early-season crowds out east that are looking to get out in the mountains but are concerned about limited snowpack.  The same can be said for here in Michigan where we see a significant amount of snow in certain areas, and lesser amounts out in the woods where you don't always want your alpine boards.  At $179, why wouldn't you be out exploring?  That's the idea behind this ski anyways.  It's inexpensive and gets you outdoors in places you wouldn't have thought about going before.  
Touring Setup on Marquette Backcountry SkiTele Binding Setup Marquette Backcountry Ski

Touring Setup                                                         Hard tele-boot Setup

Dave says that depending on where you go, you can anticipate an entire setup (boots, bindings, skis) will set you back about $300 for touring, or about $400 for tele-boot setups.  What about the learning curve for an alpine skier who wants to give this a go?  Dave says 'it's easy.'  The ski is so stable and balanced, the user isn't fighting it.  Dave feels he can literally put a person on the ski and with little to no instructions they can be out having fun.  A traditional alpine skier might have more of an alpine turn influence, where a tele-skier will have a more traditional tele-style turn influence.

Click Here for more info on where you can snag your own set of Marquette Backcountry Skis.