If you've spent any time fighting with your sled in deep powder or struggling with darting on the trails, you've probably heard someone mention slp mohawk skis as the fix for your frustrations. I remember the first time I saw a pair on a buddy's sled; they looked aggressive, almost intimidating with that signature mohawk-shaped spine running down the top. But after a few seasons of wrestling with stock skis that felt like they had a mind of their own, I finally decided to see if the hype was real.
The truth is, stock skis are usually "okay." They're designed to be a middle-of-the-road solution that works decently for everyone, which usually means they aren't great for anyone who rides with a specific style. Whether you're a mountain climber or a trail cruiser, you eventually hit a wall where the factory plastic just isn't cutting it. That's where the Mohawk comes in.
The Design Philosophy Behind the Mohawk
Starting Line Products (SLP) didn't just make another flat piece of plastic and call it a day. The slp mohawk skis are built with a pretty specific architecture. The most obvious feature is that raised rib on the top—the "mohawk"—which isn't just for looks. It adds a ton of structural integrity to the ski, preventing it from twisting or bowing under heavy loads.
But the real magic is happening underneath. The bottom of the ski features a 7-1/4 inch wide profile, which is a nice "sweet spot" for versatility. It's wide enough to give you float in the deep stuff, but not so wide that it feels like you're trying to steer a pair of surfboards on the groomed trails. They also have these "winglets" on the outer edges that help trap snow, which increases your flotation and helps the ski plane out faster when you're off-piste.
How They Handle the Hard-Pack Trails
Usually, when you get a ski that's wide enough for powder, it's a nightmare on the trails. You end up with "darting," which is that annoying sensation where your skis follow every little groove or old track on the trail, making your handlebars jerk around. It's exhausting on a long ride.
What I noticed immediately with the slp mohawk skis is how much they calmed the front end down. SLP uses a specific rocker design and a flexible outer edge that seems to absorb those trail imperfections rather than reacting to them. You can actually relax your grip on the bars a bit.
When you dive into a corner, the bite is predictable. It's not "on-off" like some aggressive racing skis. Instead, it's a smooth, progressive feel. You turn the bars, the ski loads up, and the sled goes exactly where you pointed it. No washing out, no sudden snapping. It's the kind of confidence that lets you shave a few minutes off your time to the cabin without even trying.
Floating Through the Deep Stuff
While trail performance is great, most people looking at the slp mohawk skis are thinking about the backcountry. When you're in three feet of fresh powder, you need a ski that stays on top. If the nose dives, you're stuck—it's that simple.
The Mohawk's width provides plenty of surface area, but it's the way the ski is tapered that really helps. It's designed to push snow under the ski rather than letting it spill over the sides. This creates a lift effect. I've noticed that when I'm side-hilling or trying to pull a tight U-turn in a meadow, the skis don't fight me. They feel light.
There's also this thing called "counter-steering" when you're carving. Some skis are so stiff that they make the sled feel heavy when you're trying to lay it over. Because the Mohawk has a bit of engineered flex, it works with the suspension rather than against it. It makes a heavy modern 850 feel a lot more flickable than it has any right to be.
The Customization Factor: Loops and Carbides
One thing I really like about SLP is that they don't do a "one size fits all" setup. When you buy slp mohawk skis, you're picking out your loops and your wear bars (carbides) separately.
The loops are made of a high-strength plastic that can take a serious beating. If you've ever tagged a hidden rock or a stump, you know that a brittle ski loop can snap and end your day. These things have enough give to absorb the impact but enough stiffness to be a reliable grab handle when you're stuck and need to yank the nose around.
Then there's the carbide choice. If you're 90% trail, you'll probably go with a more aggressive 6-inch or 75-degree carbide. If you're a mountain rider, you might go with something a bit more mellow that won't grab every rock on the way to the trailhead. Having that choice lets you tune the "aggressiveness" of the ski to your specific sled and riding style.
Durability and Long-Term Use
Snowmobiling is an expensive hobby, and nobody wants to drop hundreds of dollars on parts that are going to wear out in one season. I've put a few thousand miles on my current set of slp mohawk skis, and they've held up remarkably well.
The material SLP uses is a high-density polyethylene that's incredibly slick. This helps with speed, obviously, but it also means snow doesn't stick to them as much. In those weird spring conditions where the snow is like wet cement, some skis get heavy and loaded down. These stay relatively clean.
The bottom surface holds up well against the inevitable gravel and road crossings, too. Sure, you'll get some scratches—that's just the nature of the beast—but I haven't seen any major gouging or thinning of the plastic. They're built like tanks, which is exactly what you want when you're miles away from the nearest road.
Are SLP Mohawk Skis Worth the Investment?
If you're wondering if you should pull the trigger, you have to ask yourself what you're trying to solve. If your sled feels "darty" on the trail, or if you feel like you're working too hard to keep the nose up in the trees, then the answer is a resounding yes.
The slp mohawk skis aren't the cheapest option on the market, but they're also far from the most expensive. They sit in that perfect middle ground where you're getting a premium, race-proven design without paying for a fancy name brand that doesn't deliver the performance.
Installation is pretty straightforward, too. You'll need the specific saddle brackets for your brand of sled (Polaris, Skidoo, Arctic Cat, etc.), but once those are on, the skis bolt right up. It's a Saturday morning project that will completely change how your sled feels by Saturday afternoon.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your skis are the only part of your sled (besides the track) that actually touches the ground. Upgrading them is probably the single most impactful thing you can do to change the handling of your machine.
Switching to slp mohawk skis took the "work" out of my weekend rides. I'm less tired at the end of the day, I'm stuck less often, and I feel a lot more confident when the trail gets icy or the powder gets deep. They might look like they have a mohawk, but these skis are all business when it comes to performance. If you're looking to give your sled a serious personality transplant, this is the way to do it.