As part of the XCD History Project, Karhu’s Nils Larsen connected with Antii Tiitola this winter. On the 30th Anniversary of his original designs, Antii Tiitola shared the story of XCD inspiration and innovation:

Nils Larsen: What is your ski background, Nordic and Alpine? I have heard you might have been on the Finnish National Ski team?

Antii Tiitola: As a Finn I have grown up with skis. Every kid learned cross country skiing in my time. Afterwards I learned ski jumping and about in age of 16 started alpine racing. I raced among the 10 best in Finland in the junior series in all alpine events. During my university time I won the Scandinavia UNI Championships in slalom. I was on the Finnish National Team for the 1962 season, in the European World Cup Races and FIS World Championships in Chamonix 1962.

After ‘62 I started to work as engineer and finished the active racing. My interest turned to motion sports, and I concentrated on training for ski marathons, which continued until ‘78. After that telemark skiing became my main interest, and I also participated in telemark racing until the year 1992.

NL: In Canada, the name Titan was used with Karhus a lot, including the early XCDs. I have heard that this originated as your company (Titan) in Finland and then at some point you became the head designer at Karhu Finland and the company became Karhu Titan OY ?

AT: Yes, Titan was the brand name for skis and hockey sticks produced by my company Tiitola Oy. I started this company in1966. It was producing alpine skis, xc skis and hockey sticks using a unique fiberglass technology developed by myself. In early 70`ties Karhu interested about my technology and the negotiations ended to a merge of the companies in 1973. The name of the new company became Karhu-Titan and took the responsibility of R&D projects and product designing.

NL: According to my dates you came over to the US in 1976 and helped Doug Barbor with the Karhu factory start up?

AT: In the summer of 1976 I spent about three months in Cowansville, Quebec in order to assemble the machinery and start the production in the Karhu ski factory. I have developed the Karpor injection process and most of the machinery was designed by me and built in Finland.

NL: Doug [Barbor] said that the XCD came about because the Finnish Army needed a ski to patrol the Russian border?

AT: Karhu was building the skis for the Finnish Army, but not like XCD. The idea for XCD, I got after my discussion with Steve Barnett at the Las Vegas Ski Show in 1977. I designed the ski based on my experience from both alpine and cross country skiing. The first prototypes were produced in Finland fall 1977. I tested them in Lappland and sent one pair for Steve. Steve’s feedback was extremely positive. I still remember his words: “This ski makes everything what you want possible.”

NL: When did you first meet Steve Barnett?

AT: I met Steve Barnett first time, if I remember right, in 1977 at the Las Vegas Show. Steve, looking like a hippie, approached our booth with his rucksack. Sitting on the floor he opened the sack shoved me the first draft of his brand new book Cross-Country Downhill. I had also had my ideas about combining the two skiing techniques and had some ideas about fixing the heels in my backcountry bindings. Steve almost jumped up and said: No, no! The heels have to be free! And I became the first lesson about the telemark technique.

NL: Was his book different then existing views of Nordic downhill skiing?

AT: When flying back to Finland I read Steve’s book, which was extremely exciting. Immediately at home I grabbed from garage my old Titan Backcountry skis and tested through coming weekend Steve’s theories. It was a great experience to see that it worked. SINCE THAT I NEVER FIXED MY HEELS AGAIN!

After that I was in continuous contact with Steve and sent him the different generations of XCDs. He also made a new version of his book with Karhu XCDs in all pictures. We met later in 1982 at Whistler and skied a few days together. I had organized a ski trip to Canadian Rockies with a group of youngsters from my village in Finland. We also participated to some races in Whistler and Banff.

Steve’s book offered a completely new approach to Nordic downhill skiing.

NL:  In 1978 you came over to the US with the design for the XCD GT?

AT: Because the market for this kind of model was bigger in North America than in Europe, the decision was made to start the production in the Cowansville factory. I designed the molds for lengths 180, 190, 200, 205 and 210. The molds were produced in Finland and the production started in Cowansville during the fall 1978.

NL: Was this ski used in Finland too?

AT: The same ski was exported to Finland and in small quantities in other Scandinavian countries. The ski was used mainly for backcountry skiing, but it was also the only ski for the slowly increasing population of Telemark skiers.

NL: Was the telemark turn popular when you first started working on this ski? In Finland?

AT: The telemark turn was totally forgotten in Finland and other European countries. I was an pioneer not only in Finland but also in Germany. Austria and Switzerland. I was invited to make clinics for enthusiastic people in those countries.

NL: Did you design or work with Heiner Adam on the later XCD skis, The XCD Comp, Extreme, and Supreme?

AT: I worked in close cooperation with Heiner. The models XCD Comp, Extreme and Supreme were all my designs.

NL: Have you tried any of the recent XCD skis from Karhu?

AT: Today my fat ski is Karhu Grizzly and for backcountry my favorite is still the XCD GT. I have not tried the most recent XCDs. My new X-Trays binding is now offering a lot of new experiences.

NL: What kind if skiing are you doing now?

AT: My main skiing to day is backcountry skiing close to my house. We have small hills, 50-60m vertical, which are easy to climb and challenging to ski down with leather boots and 3-pin bindings as in good times 30 years ago. I love the natural snow and hate manmade. That’s why I do not like skiing in resorts. Once or twice a year I try to come to the Alps or Lappland for a few days’ tour with the fat skis and climbing skins if possible.

Antii Tiitola on the original flyer for the Karhu XCD

Tom Carter, Chris Cox, John Dostal, and Allan Bard with their XCD Comp skis on the Monarch Divide Traverse, Sierra Nevada, CA. Photo courtesy of Tom Carter.

The Karhu legacy in backcountry skiing and XCD is unique in that aspect. For 30 years, our skis have been there for everything from Steve Barnett’s book Cross Country Downhill to Tom Carter and Allan Bard’s Redline Traverse of the Sierras, Nils Larsen’s exploration of skiing’s roots in the Chinese Altai, the ground-breaking imagery of today’s Karhu Team and a renewed surge in backcountry skiing.

Steve Barnett's book - where much of the sport began.

Because of XCD, we understand that the turn alone lacks the satisfaction of the earn, and the tour is enhanced by the thrill of the descent. The heart of the adventure is the blend of the two, and that marriage of styles – that Karhu DNA – will continue to define us for the years to come.

Tom Carter and Allan Bard yodeling on the Redline Traverse, Sierra Nevada, CA. Photo courtesy Tom Carter.

Welcome to the XCD History Project. Starting in March and running throughout this season, we will bring you interviews, stories, a look at archival gear, photos and video, and much, much more. Join us as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of XCD, and share in our vision of mountain energy.