In one of the photos shared by chopper2004 in post #1291, the skidded version shows the skids project slightly forward of the front 'cross tube'. But I don't think this is meant to serve as a boarding step as it seems too close to the front of the cabin door? In that case, why not adopt the style of skids as on the EC120? While I am still not used to that look, they seem to have less prospect of snagging a wire than traditional helicopter skids. Surely Eurocopter (Airbus Helicopters) wouldn't hold a patent on such a design feature?? Avoids the need for a WSPS to be mounted under the fuselage.
On the subject of skids, they sure look low and splayed apart on the HX50. Skids on JetRanger (and UH1) were originally quite low and sleek, but you rarely see such low skids on JetRangers now, at least not in Australia. So what has caused that shift? Fairings on the cross tubes are also relatively rare notwithstanding the drag reduction they provided. On the other hand, low faired skids still seem the norm on LongRangers.