vintage skis. safe?

Not sure on the exact vintage of those, but the skis will probably be okay.  The bindings are the problem.

I wouldn't ski on really old bindings unless a shop with the proper test equipment checked them out.  If it sticks and doesn't release in a fall (or just falls off your foot while you're skiing)... ouch.

Keep in mind that:

1. they're not as safe as modern gear, due to improvements in technology

2. they're not as safe as they were when new, due to material degradation.

Even if they pass the release test, I'd be cautious, and wouldn't ski them very aggressively.

I ski my old 490's.  They are metal though.

The skis are fine.

I would ski the old 480s too, but I wouldn't count on them to stay on my feet.  In other words, don't put yourself into a situation where you are counting on them to avoid injury (i.e. don't be making 3 g turns through icy ruts in front of the lift tower, or other people).  Oh, and don't fall, just in case they don't release.

As long as there's no damage to the skis--delamination, broken edges, etc There's nothing wrong with using the skis.  They will be harder to carve with, harder to turn, and will probably be safer than a new ski in the sense that you won't likely be able to or want to ski them as fast. If you start slow and learn how to handle them you would be fine, but they probably won't be much fun. You would probably find it interesting to compare them to modern skis and see what we old folks had to deal with back in the day.  If you like them, the next step would be long board racing--people are racing on the 10 ft and longer wooden skis modeled after the skis used in the 19th century. 

Your problem is the bindings, as a previous poster mentioned.  The Tyrolia 480 is no longer indemnified, which means a shop won't adjust or test them because their insurance won't cover them in the event you get hurt.

The Tyrolia 480 was the binding Shane McConkey was using to release in mid air for ski-BASING.

I guess I will throw my hat in the ring only because I have been skiing "old" skis all my life.  Actually I just recently took a pair of my Dad's Fischer President ALU steel 215cm DH skis out for a day and these things are over 40 years old.  However the other people are right, you need to use caution but for the most part they should be ok.  Here is a little video on those skis.

Safe is one thing - sure, they will probably be safe enough, but their performance will most likely be nowhere near a newer ski. When I ski, I'm spending quite a bit of my money in an attempt to have the best time possible on the snow. I've found that newer, higher-performing skis are key to having a great time - making it easier for me to ski faster & in control in varying conditions. IMO, it's penny-wise & pound-foolish to insist on using gear that's more than 10 years old. I demand a lot out of my ski gear & I have a much better time if it enables me to perform at my best.

You can find great deals on used skis, demos or closeouts that are much more versatile & will perform so much better.  

Agree with the comments about the skis being fine  but the bindings are not (from a safety perspective, that is).

The analogy I'd make is that using those old bindings is  like driving around in a Model T.  A Model T has no seatbelts, no airbags, no anti-lock breaks, no crumple zones, pretty much nada by way of safety.  If you get into a crash, you're screwed.  A Model T is fine for driving in the Easter parade or other low-risk scenarios, but you definitely don't want to drive in traffic or poor conditions in one.

Similarly, you'll probably be fine with those binding on an easy cruiser on a sunny day.  Just make sure you don't fall.  If you're going to come anywhere near close to pushing your limits, get yourself some better bindings.

If it is a metal binding you are probably fairly OK, still not as safe as with a current model.  Plastic housed bindings can do this after about 10 years.. 

This is a Bud Moore prepared Mustang for the 1970 Trans Am series. It is a heavy brute that was driven by people like George Follmer and Parnelli Jones. This is no cutsey patsey all wheel drive and traction control Gotama Armada whatever car. If you want to drive one it would be very, very expensive.  A real one costs over a million dollars. Good news! If you want the ski version they can be had for as little as 5 bucks or even free. A free Bud Moore mustang that is really hard to maneuver around a parking lot and tire your little feet with all those heavy pedals but can rain as much hell on all your senses as you can handle is cool.

Come to think of it, I'll nominate this car for the best ski car thread too. It would probably get stuck in one inch of snow. So what, I'll leave it in the garage and walk to the the hill, that's how cool this G#d D#mn car is. Some skis are like that, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

If it is a metal binding you are probably fairly OK, still not as safe as with a current model.  Plastic housed bindings can do this after about 10 years.. 

 

My Old man broke his 747's last weekend after pulling the skis out of the closet after nearly 20 years. Looks like it was the same type of break as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt 

Agree with the comments about the skis being fine  but the bindings are not (from a safety perspective, that is).

 

The analogy I'd make is that using those old bindings is  like driving around in a Model T.  A Model T has no seatbelts, no airbags, no anti-lock breaks, no crumple zones, pretty much nada by way of safety.  If you get into a crash, you're screwed.  A Model T is fine for driving in the Easter parade or other low-risk scenarios, but you definitely don't want to drive in traffic or poor conditions in one.

 

Similarly, you'll probably be fine with those binding on an easy cruiser on a sunny day.  Just make sure you don't fall.  If you're going to come anywhere near close to pushing your limits, get yourself some better bindings.

 

The analogy I would use, is it's more like taking an old '69 Dodge Super Bee out for a fast ride on the back concession without sticking some new tires on it, better be prepared for a blow out.