Business news : Karhu Announces The Return of its Ski Line to North America

Karhu Nordic Ski and Boot Collection Now Available for 2013-14 Winter Season
Karhu, Finland’s legendary sports brand, announced today that the company is reintroducing its Karhu Ski Collection to the North American winter sports market for the 2013/14 ski season.  Starting now, Karhu North America will begin importing its popular line of skate and classic skis and boots, which are designed, developed and tested in Lahti, Finland.

“With the addition of the Nordic ski line back on the Karhu NA roster, we are extremely pleased to name Geoff Hurwitch as our Karhu Nordic Product Manager,” says Huub Valkenburg, CEO of Karhu.  Geoff comes to Karhu with a strong background in the Nordic industry, formerly serving as the Nordic Product Manager for Rossignol Ski Company.  “I’m looking forward to working with the Karhu team on this reintroduction,” says Geoff Hurwitch.  “The work that Karhu has already done in ski and boot design and construction is solid. We have a strong line-up for next season.”

 “Karhu Skis have strong brand recognition and we are proud that our new Nordic collection is built on the most popular boot platform in all of North America,” says Valkenburg.  Karhu will use the SNS Salomon Nordic binding boot platform.  Best known for their efficient design, Karhu ski offerings are built to provide effortless gliding, optimal kick performance and to reduce unnecessary up and down movements. The 2013-14 season collection includes a variety of models designed to suit both classic and skate skiers including pro, junior and women.

"With the reintroduction of Karhu skis, we are now uniquely positioned in North America to support our retail partners with counter-seasonal products — Karhu footwear for the spring and summer, and Karhu skis for winter and fall,” says Valkenburg.

The exciting new Karhu Nordic line of skis and boots will be unveiled during both the upcoming Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City at booth #19045 and at the SIA Snow Show in Denver at booth #1523, including on snow demo days.

ABOUT KARHU:
Karhu, Finnish for bear, is Finland's legendary sports brand. Founded in 1916, the company’s footwear and skis set the standard for technology-driven efficiency - the hallmark of Finnish design philosophy and an integral component of performance. Karhu skis and footwear are sold globally through specialty retailers.  Karhu Holding, B.V. is the parent company to Karhu Nordic AB.

Lisa Lazarczyk, Karhu, pr@karhu.com, tel: 781-646-0667