Skis you can't or won't part with

After walking down memory lane in the cracked Edges (intentional!) thread, I got to thinking. I have skis in the garage that I'll never be able to sell - mostly because they mean more to me than I could ever get dollars for. And then there is the other reason, they are as straight as the day is long. And long too.

Here are a few of my oldies, but goodies:
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• 210cm Volkl Dream Skis with Ess Racing bindings</font>
• 218cm Kastle DH with Marker MRR bindings</font>
• 210cm Rossignol Stratos with Cable bindings and long-thongs</font>

But, I have fond memories of some skis I'd like to find as well. The longer the better:
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• Rossignol Swiss Equipe DH</font>
• Rossignol Roc 550 - prefer pre-Equipe, but would take the Equipe version</font>
• Original Dynamic VR17 DH or GS</font>
• Authier Vampires - not that old, but very cool in my opinion</font>
• Too much to ask I'm sure, but I'd love to find some NOS (New Old Stock) skis.</font>

<font color=blue>So what's in your ski collection that you wouldn't sell, even if you could?</font>

[ November 28, 2003, 08:22 PM: Message edited by: Inspector Gadget ]

In the last 6 years I've gone thru alot of different types but the one that I keep coming back to for guaranteed fun are my old Rossi CUT 11.5's. They're 193's and if I could find another pair I'd buy them in a flash. Anybody got some they want to get rid of?

IG..I keep NO skis(NEVER did!) for sentimentallll I mean SEMI(mental) reasons..when their performance was bettered..out the door they went(I do have a pair of my fathers old skis though.)

You want Roc 550's?? I had a pair of those.You want another pair??You need help.Try a 12 step job.Actually I did come across a pair of those not long ago..brought back some memories.If I remember where they were..or end up going back..OR see another pair..I'll just get them for ya..consider it filed in my ski head.

Some of the skis I'll keep include:
- 200 Rossignol 4SK (teal) with Geze G90R's. My first set of real skis
- 190 Rossignol 4M's
- 204 K2 CV'COMP with Geze G93R's.

I'll probably keep the rest of my skis from here on in...usually by the time I'm done with a pair no one would want them anyways and they make a nice wall collection.

Back in the day I also had a pair fo Atomic ARC 225 DH's (the dark metallic red ones) which I wish I had never gotten rid of... those were fun. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Authier Vampires.. you referring to the ones with the wood veneer topsheet and funky 50's airplane logo? Never skied them but always thought they were one of the more striking skis around.

What were the "original"? VR17's..description?

Yesss, those are the skis I seek.

IG

I keep a pair of old 205 (207?) Volkl Zebras around and in decent tune - not so much for sentiment, but as a stable "reference" pair that I can go back to once a year, and check how my skiing and how ski design has evolved since "the old days".

My memory of how skis felt to me fade and change over time, so I find this exercise really informative. About once a year, on a nice spring day, I check the (Moog) bindings by forcing a bunch of releases, and then take them out for a spin. They usually attract a lot of attention from older instructors and patrollers, and I always have a blast skiing on them for an afternoon.

All I can say is that they go straight down the hill better than anything in my current quiver.

Tom / PM

I use my oldies exclusively for local stuff after the last destination trip of the year. This adds up in wear and tear.

Still looking for (NOS to VG shape)

ELAN MBX R5
ELAN MBX RCt

(AND a Dynastar race team duster coat in purple with yellow trim, hee).

Just gave away my Stratos for someone else to use as wall skis.

Which puts me to a historical question: when did PZ3 fasteners come into common use?

[ November 29, 2003, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: comprex ]

We have 30+ pair is skis in the basement with only 4 pair that I would concider skiing. I would sooner ski my wifes old 173 PowerKarves than any of my 200+ cm race skis of years past. Now where are those directions on "how to make furniture out of old skis".

Every ski I still have in the basement is because they were to become rock skis the following season. Then the season starts out with enough snow and I use the current season's skis. The 'rock' skis just start accumulating to the point where I now need to really consider throwing them away, not that I can really use the area they are in for convenient storage. Lots of skis have memories, good and bad, but I have no desire to ever use them again. Each year's improvements make it hard to go back to old technology.

I guess I still feel I have "unfinished business" with the older gear, at least until they completely fall apart and because it keeps me from too much sticker shock. Phil P.'s sentiments do find an echo; it's hard to reach for anything over 200cm anymore.

With 600' of local hill, I'll do a lot to stay amused over an entire season. Need help cleaning out that basement, Phil?

[quote]Originally posted by comprex:
[qb] Now I know where you ski comprex.. [img]graemlins/evilgrin.gif[/img] Come visit me some time for a run. Love to meet other bears....

I got a lot of old skis taking up space. What should I do with them? Any charities that would take them? Any places that recycle them? Would the trash man take them?

My sentimental favorites would be a pair of 190 cm K2 TRC's with Tyrolia 480 binders.

I've had a lot of skis..still have a lot.As for "straight" skis..I felt they just got better every year..up until their demise.I had been stunned so often by the improvements in them.I found over and over..that the newer skis simply outperformed their older model..in every single way..there was simply no reason other than sentimental to keep them..unless for a bit of fun.
I used to do continuous...back to back testing of identical skis from one model year to the next..over many model years.

I have been/was EXTREMELY fortunate in that in Canada one of our big box stores with a lot of stores..started gettting rid..or trying to..of ALL their straight skis..years and years ago...Many were New Old Stock.They made a decision at one point that ALL straight skis would go to one store..near my house..WOO HOO..to be cleared out.All one price..$20.Twenty bucks.Canadian.HEHEHAHA..this was a pretty big store..lots of staff..quite a few of them got to know me..a few of them laughed..and said they would not pay ANYTHING for a straight ski..If it was straight..pretty much name the ski..they had it..or could get it.I admit..I bought a LOT of skiis.. to me was cheap! AND fun!!!I was always in the midst of mounting/remounting.I could literally and often did..buy a last years..or a few years older model ski..and a new one.And had a blast thoroughly evaluating them.I almost always found that..like I said..the new models were simply better in every single way than the old ones.
I remember getting rid of some beloved old skis..BUT their time had come..they were just not as good..in any one sngle area..as their newer counterpart.I'm not talking about comparing brands..or skis..BUT the actual specifics of particular models..from year to year..

Oh Oh Oh..it was FUN!

I tend to get rid of old skis. I do have some Kastle 190-somethings laying around. Someone gave me some old K2 Gyrator's I'm going to make in to a coat rack.

Outside of that, I think the only skis I'm going to hang onto on purpose will be some old K2 Totally Pistes (old style, before they put a big shovel on it). The only reason is because the graphics are just too cool.

I keep the oldies for "memories" altho still pull out the DH boards for straightlining the groomers when the backcountry gets skied out., they also get some attention in the lift lines, but they still can rip the hard packed!!! They do provide a great reality check for how ski technology has evolved over the past 20-30 years. I will keep these forever.........

DH boards Fisher Presidents w/ Marker Rotomats 222cm
Kneissel Super Stars (signed by Karl Schranz). 218cm
Head 360s my allmountain cruisers from the 60s)
Miller Softs (powder specific - from my 1960 Alta days)
K2 Comps race stock (red white blue - tops and bottoms) 204s signed by Spyder Sabich (my early 70s Aspen days.

FYI.. boot collection

Henke lace
Henke buckle
Hansen wax boot
K2 Comps (orange two buckle)
Scott - the clam shells
Daleboot (my techno boots)
Lange - the blacl casts - non hinged boot.

Oooh, str8line, I must confess; I'm really <font color=green>envious</font> of the Super Stars. But I'd take the K2's as well.

Ah, the old Lange Comps aka coffins; black shell, white liner. Tall and stiff, but man they skied well.

I said it in the other thread I referenced up above; but, I really would like to find the park bench that Olin sold to dealers in the early seventies. The seat and back was made out of Olin's GS ski, the MKII V.C.E. - there's another one of those cracked edge skis. V-ariable C-racked E-dge.

You've probably seen them before, but these are links to ski furniture:

http://www.ecentrixdesigns.com/home.html

http://www.skifurniture.com/

http://www.snowshack.com/furniture.html

IG

I have a pair of Volkl P9 RS in 207 with Geze G90R and 1 mismatched 962TCR heel piece for wall skis. I regret that I sold my 209 Gynastar G9 with Deflex and Marker M5x. If I stay in love with them I will keep my Dynastar Omeglass 64 in 157 with Look P14.

I wish somebody would come out with a modern resurrection of the Authier Vampire cosmetic. Either the wood veneer or machined metal appearance would be wonderful. Those were beautiful skis.

Aar

I've kept my long boards too. My old Volkl G31's in 178cm.

Cool looking graphic's that matched my yellow and black North Face and yellow helmet.

My son told me not to sell my Salamon Super Axe 3V's 176cm but I was stupid and didn't lessen.

My favorite of all time:

2003 Volkl Explosive 190cm (one of only 2 years with the twin tip, wizard graphics)

I've had people offer to buy these things off me on the hill for more than I paid for them.

Mine are an old pair of Rossi cobras 150s that I bought from Killington's used rental sale for $20. I skied them for 15 years... (don't worry, I updated the bindings) !!

But the reason they're truly worth keeping is that I plastered them from end to end in tye-die bumper stickers when I was in college. Homemade Jerry Garcia skis. Way cool. I'll probably make them into an adirondack chair eventually. :

K2 MSL - 200 cm circa 1995

'99 rossi bandit x's-184

[quote]Originally posted by coastalbc:
Some of the skis I'll keep include:
- 200 Rossignol 4SK (teal) with Geze G90R's. My first set of real skis
- 190 Rossignol 4M's
- 204 K2 CV'COMP with Geze G93R's.

I'll probably keep the rest of my skis from here on in...usually by the time I'm done with a pair no one would want them anyways and they make a nice wall collection.

Back in the day I also had a pair fo Atomic ARC 225 DH's (the dark metallic red ones) which I wish I had never gotten rid of... those were fun. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Authier Vampires.. you referring to the ones with the wood veneer topsheet and funky 50's airplane logo? Never skied them but always thought they were one of the more striking skis around.[/QUOTE

Yeah, the Rossi 4M's were a sweet ski, however, I think Rossignol made a 7M or a 9M about the time they were making the 4M's. A friend of mine has some 7M's or 9M's - great in bumps - I think these were half-cap and half-traditional (vertical sidewalls). If anybody has some 9M's in his/her quiver, let me know.

I once had a pair of 215cm Atomic Arc (yellow topsheet), they were my ski of choice when skiing with my Colorado ski buddies, the guy who turned the least won, and the guy who turned the most had to buy the guys a pint. I won two times out of ten, and I lost three or four times.

I remember one time, it snowed two feet in the Back Bowls - back then, there was only one very slow double chair in Sundown/Sun Up bowls. We had a big group of diehard skiers and we never took a break - one guy had to take a leak, one guy had to fuel up, etc. No friends on powder days, no waiting for anyone... It was only three guys left at the end of the day, and I was one of them - even though I was the hind teat of the pups. I fell asleep on the chair, we skied everything that was available, and then did it again.

I gave my yellow Atomics to my friend (he put me up almost every weekend at his condo in Eagle Vail). I think he still has them in his garage. I think he still has the Rossi 4SK's 203cm, and I think he kept the white Rossi ski, which was a GS ski.

[ December 03, 2003, 10:11 AM: Message edited by: powdog ]

Well, I am about to cut the 7XKs in half.
Want to see the construction.

Which just BEGS the question, for you curators of ski museums:

How many of you keep (and ski?) unindemnified bindings?
If yes, what do you do to keep them operational?

How many of you put modern binders on older gear?

I confess to still using all Markers from the Series 6 era onwards, all MRRs but not MRs, Geze G95s (titanium spring brace), Salomon 997.

I confess to keeping red-plate Spademans for grins.

I confess to using silicone spray to flush out random schmutz, white Li grease or Krytech PFPE grease to lube springs, and Boeshield T-9 for plastic/metal contact points.

I confess to throwing out all older Tyrolia (280, 360 and anything older than Railflex), and all Look bindings (Nevada, NN, N99, Z9, Force), and everything Salomon with a plain-finish steel heel cup (e.g. S222 series), and all Salomons with '80s plastic heel cups.

Make 2 cuts: one behind the VAS damper and one in front of the binding holes; I believe the epoxy fillets were tapered along the length much like the old Stratos.

I have some older skis/older bindings,older skis/newer bindings..newer skis newer bindings.
As a rule of thumb I go over ANY I intend to ski with with a VERY fine tooth comb..about once every couple seasons..if it hasn't been skiied on in several years..before I ski it.Fully backing off adjustments..and feeling for any wear/grittiness.If there is any..in the garbage.With the exception of bindings that can be dissassembled for service,repair,ubrication.Lubing where possible.I slowly test them up to the release point where I ski them..with me and a boot in the binding.I don't even bother to look at din settings anymore..I have more than enough experience in the feel and the adjustment of them.And have encounterred enough bindings..some newer..that tested ok that I'ld never ski in.
I only ski on Salomons..only because I know them well.I am aware(like to be) of their weak points/failure prone areas..and know exactly where to examine them.
Plastic bindings..I ski at about a 6/7 din.maybe 8.Usually in a 4-10/5-12 unit.I haven't found them prone to breaking IF USED REGULARLY..or fairly..and skiied in about the centre of their range.The piece that does/did break in the Sollys was the bottom part of the heelpiece..where you stepped in..wasn't really a safety issue..just broke when you went to step in.If the user had paid attention they would have notice hairline cracks there a long time ago..still plenty of life left after the little hairline cracks.The plastic Sollys got a particularly bad rap for breaking..first cause there were about 8 zillion of the things made.Second..cause they were or could be drastically overskied..these things were never meant to be screwed up to 10..with 200lb skiers..A LITTLE common sense would have at least put the skier into a metal Equipe.Thirdly..when they wouldn't hold in at 10.."jamming" them in with excessive forward pressure was common..and stupid.Fourthly..jamming them in.."to see if they fit"..especially when cold/full of snow..was of course dumb.
Then of course..leaving them around for a good 5 to 10 years..with the springs cranked right up..maybe near the furnace..nice and dry..hot..dries them out good.Then buying them..or expecting a strong skier to go for a good blast..is not too bright.

Common sense..you ski hard..you ski in good bindings..not to old..WELL MAINTAINED!!

OLD bindings..I have 1 pair of 555's that I skiied last year..and may again this year..perfect shape..meticulously maintained.A pair of 737 s "E"'s..,a few pair of metal 747 "E".s

There are simply way too many old bindings that are simply no good..breakage prone in use..quite a few of them ON the indemnfied list..to even get into talking about/listing..

I'm all for playing around with your own stuff..mounting,adjusting..old stuff..whatever..

I NEVER spray anything on/at/in near bindings..if they got to the point of feeling gritty..roof rack road salt..if the cannot be dissassembled..I just throw them out.Dissassembly by means of grinding off the peened part at the bottom of the adjustment screw.Sure I've done it..and after that found them chewed up inside anyway..I guess some could argue about cleaning/drying.regularly spraying with some type of grease..long as you could keep them lubed up and they always felt good.

Bear traps?No wouldn't ski them(again)

However..THIS is one area..either you are an expert..and have the experience..and 200% confidence..or you simply get high quality bindings..and have them serviced.

I would not hesitate to ski a Salomon 727/737/747. They were the most influential/important bindings produced. First bindings with:

*Upward compensation
*Intergrated brake
*A heel design that EVERYONE has copied.

Plus a mounting pattern that Salomon still uses 25 years later, so my jig still works! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I do have a pair if Burt bindings I am trying to figure out how to mount. As far as Spademans, I have a funny story about them I will post at some time.

In 1989 I bought some new 747's.In 1990 I needed some more.They were no longer available..replaced by the "57" series..857 in this case.(These for some? reason I did not mount..had mounted)
In the mid 90's..amidst older skis with 747's etc.,and newer skis with newer Solly's..AND older 747's and newer Solly's..GUESS WHAT????..OKokok..I admit it..I grabbed the jig and drilled some new skis for new Solly's using my jig!
The mounting pattern CHANGED from the 5,6,747's series..AND the 57,77.97 series..I do not know which other patterns changed or stayed the same.
Trust me on this one..(I also have it on expert authority)

The toe mount LOOKS the same..it cannot be told from a visual.BUT it can be told by putting two toes bottom to bottom..and very definitely by a jig..comparing the toes to the jigs..or the jigs to jigs.

There is absolutley NO interchange here.Matter of fact..if old Solly's were there(747) era..it is next to impossible to upgrade to later Solly's as the screw holes end up being too close and will conflict.Me personally I do not mount within about 3/4" ..(depends on the ski)You end up having to go too far off centre(ski).Slapping a plate on.demo binding is a way.I am THINKING of switching a few toe piece pedestals..I'dno.Haven't tried that.

I have been told and have it I think somewhere in writing that almost ALL Solly's from the first 857(1990) and up to 2001 will interchange.

Fortunately..the later most 57 and up series..(heel pieces)will slide right off their track..SOOoo..yes! they will slide right into earlier demo tracks..where a 47' series was.('cept "E"'s)

I THINK..if an earlier heel piece is cut..then a later heelpiece may slide in it's track..again untried as of yet by me.