Hart Ski History

A Revolution in the Ski Industry that Began on the Minnesota Prairie

In 1943, Hartvig “Hart” Holmberg opened a carpentry shop in St. Paul, MN Specializing in designing and manufacturing customized cribbage boards, chess sets and wood or metal card games, word of Hartvig’s ability to create fine crafted goods quickly spread. Soon, the shop began to take on custom jobs using a variety of commercial manufacturing techniques, primarily custom painting and sheet metal work. This work led to fabricating runners for Ski-Doo snowmobiles.

Much to the surprise of Hart Ski founders, Head Ski Company also was developing metal ski technology. In fact, the two companies launched their new skis at the same time. Ongoing court litigation between the two companies continued for years. The case was later settled when both companies agreed that neither was the “winner.”

By the mid-1960’s Hart Skis dominated the ski market with an overwhelming U.S. market share and global brand recognition. At its peak in the late 1960’s, Hart shipped 144,000 pairs of skis per year—achieving revenues in the tens of millions. It also was during the 1960’s that freestyle skiing became a global phenomenon.

Some Hart newspaper and magazine ads from the 1960's:

Born to be Free

In 1965, Austrian gymnast Herman Goellner surpassed the single somersaults achieved by Erickson by performing the first double, triple and mobius (full-twisting) flips. Ski enthusiasts in Vermont were the first to witness the feats of Goellner and Tom Leroy, who performed simultaneous inverted aerials to the astonishment of large ski-show crowds.

In 1965, Swiss racer Art Furrer appeared on the U.S. ski scene. Claiming that increased agility through acrobatics on skis, could improve ski performance, Furrer thrilled crowds. His stunts included “the butterfly,” “the Charleston” and a crossed-ski turn called the “javelin.” Furrer’s relationship with Hart Skis and his early appearance in ski press photos performing stunts made him “the face” of the 1960s freestyle movement.

Hart Skis was honored that Furrer chose to perform his stunts on the Hart Javelin.
Produced in 1966, the Javelin was one of the first skis in metal and fiberglass. It soon became the standard for freestyle skiers everywhere. Acrobatics were key to the success of the first extreme skiing movies, produced for Hart, by Summit Films.These early films included, “The Incredible Ski,” “The Moebius Flip” and perhaps the most popular ever, “Ski the Outer Limits.”

Freestyle skiing was officially recognized in 1979 by the International Ski Federation and was introduced at the Olympics as a demonstration event at the 1988 Calgary Games. Mogul skiing became part of the official program for the Albertville Games in 1992— and aerials were added in 1994 during the Lillehammer Games.

From the beginning, Hart skis were there— and they continue to be central to the freestyle ski movement.

Art Furrer Ski Ad, Art Furrer on Javelins and Tom LeRoy and Hermann Goellner Ski Ads from the 1960's:

           

The 1970’s to Now—Winning Hearts and Medals

During the 1970s, the Hart brand remained strong, thanks in part to Olympic medal winner, Billy Kidd, who joined the company as an advisor and designer. In 1971, Kidd won the first World-Wide Championship Professionals wearing skis made by Hart. Hart also secured endorsements of ‘70s ski superstars like Susie Chaffee, Hank Kashiwa and many others.

The 1980s continued to see all Freestyle competition dominated by Hart. In its never-ending quest for design excellence, the company introduced the first ski with wood okume and honeycomb structure in aluminum. Launched in 1984 and known as “The Comp,” this ski won raves with its excellent performance, lightness and versatility. The symbiotic relationship between top athletes, peak performance and Hart Skis continued into the 1990s.

At the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, most American ski team members chose Freestyle by Hart, winning two medals— one silver and one gold.

Due to the popularity of “The Comp,” Hart took it to the next level with its 1991 Comp SL. This new ski included a construction torsion box with aluminum honeycomb and an Internal Absorption Shock ( IAS) system (guaranteeing optimal stability at elevated speeds.

The result? Athletes who while wearing Hart, continued to dominate global ski competitions. In 1995, for instance, Hart athletes took center stage at the World of Freestyle in Clusaz, France, winning six medals—including four gold.

Today, athletes and enthusiasts alike continue to choose Hart. With an unrelenting passion for quality and performance that has been passed through generations of ownership, Hart remains one of the few American ski brands. These heritage skis, with a lifetime warranty, are still crafted by hand, unlike many on the mass market.

Hart—a company and a lifestyle that began on the Midwestern prairie—has created an experience that has moved mountains for millions. That won’t change. Because this company has—and will always be—led with heart.

1960's and 1970 Hart Ski ads, Billy Kidd Hart Ski Poster and 1970's Hart Ski sticker: