Hart Ski History Timeline

55 Years of Hart - An American Tradition

1955: Hartvig, his brother Harry, and friend Ed Bjork begin producing metal-edged skis. Harry, a ski design engineer for Gregg Skis, knew that seamless metal edges, or "metal skis" were the next innovation in ski construction. With Hartvig's manufacturing techniques and Harry's ski designs—Hart Skis were born.

1960s: Hart Skis dominates the U.S. ski market. At its peak in 1967, the company achieved global brand status with 40% market share, 144,000 pairs of skis shipped and revenue approaching $14 million.  In 1966 Hart Skis produces the Javelin, one of the first metal and fiberglas skis.

1970s: With skis crafted by Hart, Olympic medalist Billy Kidd wins the World-Wide Championship Professional competition. Hart also is endorsed by other 70’s ski stars like Suzie Chaffee and Hank Kashiwa.

1980s: Throughout the 1980’s Hart Skis is a dominating force in Freestyle competitions.  In 1984 Hart introduces another ski first—the “Comp”— a design that offers great performance, lightness, and versatility. This is the first ski to be crafted with wood okume and honeycomb structure in aluminum.

1990s:  Nine of the 12 athletes on the American ski team at the1994 Olympic Games in Lillihammer, Norway use Freestyle skis by Hart. The team brought home two medals including a silver and a gold.  Liz McIntrye wins the silver medal  on Hart’s F17 skis.  Throughout the 90's Hart athletes dominate the World of Freestyle.

Now:  Once again Hart is at the forefront of Freestyle.  With Patrick Deneen's 2009 FIS World Cup Mogul Championship win, Michael Morse's 2008 US Singles and Duals Mogul Championship wins and Bryon Wilson and Michelle Roark's 2009 US Singles Mogul Championships, the Hart F17 is still the ski preferred by the world's best Freestyle skiers.

Together with the signature F17 World Cup and F17 Classic skis, Hart offers a variety of hand crafted, hand finished world class skis.  Whether for winning Regional, National and World Cup podiums or for just fun on the slopes for the recreational skier, Hart is the ski of choice for the discriminating skier.