Hus-ski
Hooked on Hus-Skis
Barrie Graham's passion for Bolens Hus-Ski sleds began at an early age
by BARRIE GRAHAM
 |
VINTAGE PRIDE: Hus-Ski enthusiast Barrie Graham was pleased with his Hus-Ski model 400 after it conquered the highest hill in the town of Notre-Dame de Pontmain, Quebec.
—photo courtesy Barrie Graham. |
I am pleased to once again contribute to SnoRidersWest.com as a Hus-Ski expert. There are a lot of Hus-Ski collectors and just as many questions concerning this agile machine. I hope that I will be able to answer most of your questions.
I inherited my first Hus-Ski when I was 12 years old. My uncle had driven his Hus-Ski Snow Traveller to his isolated cottage and he was not able to start the machine, so I trudged back to his car through the snow. When he saw me he vowed to never drive it again and quickly said it would be mine if I could start it. As an enthusiastic 12-year-old, I arrived the next day only to discover that he had not returned the kill switch to the “ON” position. The Hus-Ski started and I drove my prized possession home. In 1998 I did a full restoration of this machine.
Part of my attraction for these machines is the use of wood for the skiis and cleats. Consequently, as time would tell, I chose a profession as a cabinetmaker. Currently, I have 11 complete Hus-Skis, five Diablo Rouge models and two prototype machines—a Hus-Ski and a Diablo.
|
