That is a very nice installation and obviously depends on aerodynamics to keep the ski at the correct angle of attack which means a LOT of time was spent on those aerodynamics.
Compare that with the Canadian version with a complex mickey motion hydraulic trim system to achieve the same results or even the DC-3/C47 with its wing that was a pure bitch to set up and the cables to limit the angles that the ski could move when the gear was extended. And if you think that is a lot of stray cables then you are correct but all are needed.
The upside is that the Dakota skis could be retracted in flight to reduce drag and also had a raise/lower mechanism so that you could operate off both snow and gravel/tarmac/concrete on the same flight. When you land on snow you MUST lift the ski off the snow when you park (to the position shown on the near side in the photo) or the hot ski can melt the ice - and that is when your problems really start if the ice freezes again. Note the far side ski has drooped and would probably stick on ice/snow. Often the oil cooler is moved up the side of the cowling on the inboard side and and I never saw one with that box thing attached. Each Dak ski weighed over 200kg from memory and installing them was not fun. Removal was easy though.
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