K2 Sports acquired the Line ski business and the exclusive rights to the Karhu North American Nordic and Telemark brand from Burlington, Vermont-based Trak Sports USA, Inc. The majority of Karhu and Line’s operations will relocate to the K2 Sports headquarters on Vashon Island, Wash., this summer. The company already markets K2 alpine and tele skis, and Madshus Nordic ski brands and distributes products in approximately 44 countries.

Karhu’s roots go back to the early 1900s when the brand was founded in Finland. Operations were launched in Canada in 1976 to market and sell cross-country and backcountry ski products in North America. Doug Barbor, who started Karhu’s North American operations in 1976 and has been with Karhu ever since says, “With K2, Karhu is in very good hands to continue to build the brand in North America.”

“Karhu has a rich history in North America for developing ground breaking products for skiing out the back door or deep into the backcountry,” said Charles Lozner, Brand Director for Karhu Sports’ ski division. “Today the brand is driving and benefiting from the resurgence in Telemark and Nordic skiing.

Line Skis, founded by Jason Levinthal in 1995, helped pioneer the surging freestyle and freeride skiing movement. Their innovative twin tip and super fat big mountain skis are preferred by the new generation of skiers pushing the limits of the sport. Line’s progressive designs and credibility with younger riders complements K2’s already strong presence in the freeskiing market.

“Karhu and Line are a perfect match for K2,” said Anthony De Rocco, K2 Sports’ Global Marketing Vice President. “The relationship is ideal because it allows Karhu and Line to continue to focus on their core competencies in design innovation while benefiting from K2’s supply chain efficiencies, engineering resources and manufacturing strengths. In addition, this acquisition allows us to continue our successful shelf space strategy with multiple brands. This acquisition is a big plus for K2, Karhu, Line and our retail partners and customers around the world.”