4. SKI TROOPS

4.1 DYO: Ski capability (and Winter Camouflage; 4.4) can be purchased for a DYO OB (H1.2) at a cost of two extra points per elite MMC purchased [EXC: Sissi (A25.73) are ski-equipped as part of their BPV]. Ski capability may not be selectively allotted to certain Personnel; all elite Personnel of that side must be given ski capability, which is indicated on the Roster by recording in the "MPV ea" column the MMC's BPV (first adjusted as per H1.22-.24, if applicable) increased by two, and by recording "Sk" in the "A/B" column of the same line. When ski capability has been purchased for all elite MMC on a side, all SMC (as well as all crew counters that directly or indirectly result from the purchase of Guns, and all elite HS counters that likewise result from the purchase of vehicles) on that side are also considered to have ski capability at no extra cost.

4.2 SKI MODE: The special rules for ski troops apply only to those scenarios in which Ground or Deep Snow is present. Ski-capable units (those beginning a scenario with ski counters or that pass a ski-use dr; 4.21) may be on foot, on skis, or transported by any other normal means when not in ski mode. Units on skis are in ski mode and are referred to as Skiers. Skiers are identified by being placed on ski counters with the "Skis" up. Ski troops may switch between ski and foot/Passenger (or Rider) mode only during their own MPh/RtPh/APh. There is no cost for switching from ski to foot mode, but it costs two MF to switch from foot to ski mode [EXC: one MF for Finnish Infantry14A]. Normal CX restrictions and penalties (A4.72) apply to units switching to ski mode and advancing (or vice versa) in the same APh. Vehicle crews never start a scenario with skis.

4.21 SKIS: When not in ski mode, skis are carried atop a unit with the "OFF Skis" side up at a cost of one PP. A unit cannot carry skis in excess of its own usage requirements. Skis can be eliminated like any SW (A9.73-.74)). If skis are Recovered/Transferred they can be used by their new owner, only if it began the scenario with ski capability or makes a ski-use dr of 1 immediately upon Recovery/Transfer. A ski—use dr of 2-6 eliminates the skis automatically. Unpossessed skis are placed under all units in their Location.

4.22 DUMMY SKI COUNTERS: Dummy ski counters are provided for scenarios where Dummy counters are allowed to use skis by SSR. Dummy ski counters are treated as normal Dummy counters (A12.11) in all aspects [EXC: they must be stacked with ≥ 1 non-ski Dummy counter(s) at all times or be removed immediately regardless of LOS], but allow that Dummy stack to use ski movement. OB-given Dummy counters may be exchanged for counters as long as the above is adhered to.

4.3 MOVEMENT: Skiing is considered a form of Infantry movement and is therefore subject to all the pertinent rules of such, except as amended herein. A Skier pays no extra MF due to snow/Drift, and pays normal Infantry MF entrance costs. However, a Skier may never enter rubble, nor a building, pillbox, vehicle, entrenchment (nor does it ever receive shellhole TEM benefits), nor can a Skier cross a cliff hexside or move beneath a Wire counter. The Skier must first change to foot mode to enter these areas, although a building hex that contains no rubble (see B24.2) can be entered via Bypass, and once beneath a Wire counter a unit can return to ski mode. If forced to remain in a building hex following Bypass entry of that hex, loss of Skier status occurs automatically. Once in such a restricted area, the unit may not change to ski mode until it has left that area (a unit in a building can spend one MF for Bypass to an Open Ground vertex of its hex where it can then expend two more MF to switch to ski mode and thus leave its hex as a Skier). The extra MF bonus for exclusive use of road movement does not apply to a Skier.

4.31 DOWNHILL: A Skier receives a bonus of two MF for each Crest Line crossed while moving to a lower elevation during the MPh/RtPh. This bonus can be used to exceed the special MF allotment of broken (A10.5)/wounded (A17.2)/berserk (A15.431) units.

4.32 APh: A Skier can advance one hex during the APh, subject to the normal possibility of Difficult Terrain restrictions (A4.72). Such an advance can possibly include changing to/from ski mode in an allowable Location at either the start or end of that APh, although the MF expenditure for doing so is included in the A4.72 MF calculation.

4.33 ROUTING: Broken units may change ski mode/use skis during the RtPh by paying the applicable MF cost. Skiers may Low Crawl only if they first remove their skis.

4.4 CAMOUFLAGE: A unit that is ski-equipped at scenario start is also assumed to be wearing Winter Camouflage (3.712).

4.5 CC: Skiers engaged in CC must add +2 to their CC Attack DR and are subject to a -2 DRM when attacked in CC. However, Skiers in Melee have the option in their MPh to leave it or change to foot mode (A11.71).

4.6 ATTACK RESTRICTIONS: A Skier may not fire any Gun, ordnance SW, or MMG/HMG; he must change to foot mode first.

4.7 BERSERK: A berserk Skier may not change from foot to ski mode, or vice versa. [EXC: A berserk Skier charging a Known enemy unit in a Location that the Skier cannot normally enter (4.3) must change to foot mode when it reaches the point where, due solely to being on skis, it can move no closer to the unit as per A15.431.]

4.8 AHKIO:14B An Ahkio is treated as a 3 PP SW that must be portaged when possessed by Passengers/Riders or when entering terrain where its use is NA (4.83).

4.81 INFANTRY USE: The IPC of an Infantry MMC possessing (but not portaging) ≥ 1 Ahkio is increased by 2 PP (maximum) as indicated on the counter by "IPC: +2PP".

4.82 MOVEMENT: Unless being portaged, an Ahkio can only be used in terrain a Skier (4.3) can enter. A unit must drop possession of an Ahkio before routing or performing a Berserk charge, or when it becomes part of a Human Wave or breaks while bypassing a building.

EX: A Finnish 6-4-8 squad in 47I10 starts its MPh in ski mode with Ground Snow in effect. It also possesses an Ahkio and a HMG. The HMG is five PP; the portage cost of the skis and the Ahkio do not count when in use in snow. The Ahkio increases the IPC of the squad by two PP, so there is no MF penalty (A4.42).

The squad enters I9 for a cost of one MF. It continues to H8, spending one more MF. Entering H7 costs a third MF, but the unit also gains two MF for going downhill (4.31) for a total of six MP to spend in its MPh. It can continue moving to H6, H5, and H4 without declaring Double Time.

If the squad was accompanied by a leader also on skis, it could move to H5 as indicated for five MF. Wishing to enter the I5 building, both units switch from ski mode to foot mode for zero MP (4.2) and drop both the Ahkio and skis. The squad and the leader carry the HMG into the building, using the remaining two MF (one MP is lost since the HMG’s portage cost exceeds the IPC of the squad + leader by one).

4.83 TERRAIN LIMITATIONS: In addition to the limits on Skier movement (4.3), an Ahkio cannot be used when crossing an unbreached wall/hedge, entering a crag hex, or entering a hill hex when Alpine Hills (B10.211) are in effect.

4.9 DYO: An Ahkio has a BPV of "1".