Now Defunct Ski Companies Of the World

[Beastmode]

I have a wooden "Pennsylvania Sea Dart" that was my first slalom ski mounted on my wall. My first real slalom ski was an EP Stiletto.

[Hockdog]

Voit set of doubles, circa 1966, and Forsman out out Lafayette California....early 60's

 

Although no longer in the U.S., KD Skis.

[dchristman]

@horton who was the love of your life in that ad? Hot Connelly skiers I can think of from the era of that Bassett ad were Anita Carlman and Pam Folsom ... I sort of recall them being in Connelly ads. I just can't recall nipples :-(

[Horton]

@dchristman there was this one poster of a woman i a black red orange yellow one piece.

 

I'm pretty sure one or both of my older brothers made an unsuccessful play for Pam Folsom.

[Than_Bogan]

I can't decide if I'm proud or sad that we used to introduce new skis with barely clad babes and now we introduce them with barely understandable technobabble.

[MISkier]

@Than_Bogan, I say we combine the two.

[zyokes]

I vote for babes telling us the technobabble

[Than_Bogan]

Babes reciting technical specifications!

 

And people say that brilliant ideas never come from internet forums!!

[Booze]

Hmm, Anaheim, can't be a coincidence

 

bassettracing.com/index.htm

 

[andjules]

If the Bassett model was in a video explaining the Adams' GUT, we'd all study more.

[Than_Bogan]

...and yet learn less.

[JohnShoemaker]

This brought back some older memories...I was in the middle of the water ski world for a couple of years...1977- 1980...was original partner in World Waterskiing Magazine...so I knew a lot of these people...the companies, the salesman, some of the skiers. a lot of "behind the scenes" experiences.

 

One of the posts mentioned Ski Master. They had their own skis. But they were more of an afterthought to round out the rest of their product line...Ski Vests,etc. They actually manufactured a lot of things. And ski equipment was just part of it.

 

But the interesting thing was they had the Ski Press / Production Equipment and would hire it out to people developing skis. They could bring in their designs or molds and SkiMaster would produce the ski as a one off to test. You could walk into their office and they had a waiting room where "ski names" and others could be sitting waiting their turn.

[JohnShoemaker]

I noticed someone mentioned Great American. That was actually built by Cypress Gardens. It was their strategy to create a new name and brand that was more contemporary...and disassociate from the Gardens name. Still keep the traditional

name and skis...but open up new markets.

[UWSkier]

Read this whole thread. Recognize lots of the old names, but one that I haven't seen is Chrysler Crew. We still have at least one of these Mike Suyderhoud signature editions floating around. I'll see if I can get a picture.

[lhoover]

John, was Ski Master the company out of Wichita Falls, TX? If not, do you know that company? They also were in to vests, belts, etc., but don't remember skis.

[DmaxJC_ski]

@Drago I skied on a wood taperflex in the late 80's, probably got thrown in the garbage for all I know. I was a die hard Kidder redline kid back then. Wouldn't have known any better. Also had a mint jobe honeycomb.

[jimberryhill]

I have a Hustler square-tail in beautiful condition. Cannot find any information on it. Anyone know about the brand, lineage, etc.?

[PatM]

It looks like if Maha and Connelly Hook had a child this would be it

[lpskier]

Yeah. Looks like a racing ski. I’ve never heard of Hustler skis. Probably West Coast specific, as is racing. 

[jimberryhill]

1 hour ago, lpskier said:

Yeah. Looks like a racing ski. I’ve never heard of Hustler skis. Probably West Coast specific, as is racing. 

It's more like the MAHA 360's or Taperflex Wake Jumper. Same length, square tail, etc. West coast almost certain and maybe out of the Seattle lineage.

[jimberryhill]

Here's another. Churchill slalom. It looks like a Connelly Hook, right down to the grooves on either side of the concave tunnel. I think the most beautiful ski of the era.

I know that Danny C designed slaloms and other. Had some correspondence with one of his daughters but the Connelly connection was uncertain. My semi-wildass guess is that Danny C designed this, produced a few and Connelly acquired the design. 

[jimberryhill]

Just now, jimberryhill said:

Here's another. Churchill slalom. It looks like a Connelly Hook, right down to the grooves on either side of the concave tunnel. I think the most beautiful ski of the era.

I know that Danny C designed slaloms and other. Had some correspondence with one of his daughters but the Connelly connection was uncertain. My semi-wildass guess is that Danny C designed this, produced a few and Connelly acquired the design. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/397134393665916/permalink/6652763148102978/

[aupatking]

At this point, I think we can add O’Brien to the list. Anyone seen the video of their top ski being advertised using a wakeboarder skiing the course? It’s terrible and couldn’t be more than 26 mph.  I applaud the wakeboarder but this is their best ski! It should be ridden by a real skier. 

Not to mention it’s most likely still the Elite. That’s what, a 15 year old ski? It’s embarrassing. I hate this has happened to that company

 

Edited July 25, 2023 by aupatking

[jcamp]

If I could own any ski company, it would be O'Brien. The volume they do in tubes, wakeboards, kneeboards, combos, etc., probably easily surpasses any of the high-end slalom companies. 

[aupatking]

@jcampthey absolutely do. With all that money it sure would be nice to do R&D and maybe sponsor a water skier. It’s kinda where they came from

[jcamp]

@autpatking and if I DID own O'Brien I would do exactly that 🙂 My point was that you just couldn't call them defunct as they are possibly the most successful company in the business. 

[Slalom.Steve]

I think we can include Wakeye on the list. I haven't seen a blip from anywhere or anyone in about 3 years now.

[Jody_Seal]

freestyler ski ropes..

[UWSkier]

On 7/25/2023 at 12:24 AM, aupatking said:

At this point, I think we can add O’Brien to the list. Anyone seen the video of their top ski being advertised using a wakeboarder skiing the course? It’s terrible and couldn’t be more than 26 mph.  I applaud the wakeboarder but this is their best ski! It should be ridden by a real skier. 

Not to mention it’s most likely still the Elite. That’s what, a 15 year old ski? It’s embarrassing. I hate this has happened to that company

 

Is that what Glen Campbell is still riding?

[Horton]

@aupatking that video makes me very sad....

[MDB1056]

Kool Aid being poured for the masses ........................

[vtmecheng]

On 7/25/2023 at 1:24 AM, aupatking said:

At this point, I think we can add O’Brien to the list. Anyone seen the video of their top ski being advertised using a wakeboarder skiing the course? It’s terrible and couldn’t be more than 26 mph.  I applaud the wakeboarder but this is their best ski! It should be ridden by a real skier. 

Not to mention it’s most likely still the Elite. That’s what, a 15 year old ski? It’s embarrassing. I hate this has happened to that company

 

Every turn he reminds me of…

 

Edited July 29, 2023 by vtmecheng

[swbca]

Warren Witherell cut 1" of the back of our club member's Northland Sabre slalom skis and then extended the fin slot forward with the same carpenter's saw.   Some club names that stayed in the Sport  Gary Thompson, Al Tolefson.

The Northland ski was extinct in the late 60's.

[RAWSki]

On 7/28/2023 at 9:48 PM, vtmecheng said:

At this point, I think we can add O’Brien to the list.

 

 

@aupatking and @vtmecheng

I think you have to look at the bigger picture.  While I do miss the days of Andy skiing for and working with O'Brien.  But Look at O'Brien's parent Kent Outdoors (formerly Watersports).  Discussed here before they have Connelly and HO ------- so do they need to spend more of their R&D on another high end niche market ski?       I always make a point of stopping by the O'Brien booth at the Masters and chatting to Pete Surrette and thank him for being there and $ponsoring.  

I might also have a few O'Brien and Margaritaville floats and tubes. 😉

[vtmecheng]

4 minutes ago, RAWSki said:

 

 

@aupatking and @vtmecheng

I think you have to look at the bigger picture.  While I do miss the days of Andy skiing for and working with O'Brien.  But Look at O'Brien's parent Kent Outdoors (formerly Watersports).  Discussed here before they have Connelly and HO ------- so do they need to spend more of their R&D on another high end niche market ski?       I always make a point of stopping by the O'Brien booth at the Masters and chatting to Pete Surrette and thank him for being there and $ponsoring.  

I might also have a few O'Brien and Margaritaville floats and tubes. 😉

Then the question is, why does O’Brien even make a ski beyond recreational models? Wouldn’t it make more sense for them to just leave that the Connelly and HO?

[jcamp]

@vtmecheng It's so if one of their retail dealers just so happens to say "do you have a high-end slalom, I might have a customer or two ask for one this year?" they can say, "we sure do." The fewer brands the better for dealers. 

[RAWSki]

Totally agree with @jcamp  they want to to sell the dealer everything they need in their shop.  In fact back in May Pete pointed to their Siege line-up and asked me if it looked familiar.  

It's the SixAM resurrectted 

I believe the top of the line GC is a tweaked version on the G5 that Drew Ross was involved in. so some good roots---- not cutting edge now but good skis for their market of weekend rippers.

[vtmecheng]

13 minutes ago, RAWSki said:

Totally agree with @jcamp  they want to to sell the dealer everything they need in their shop.  In fact back in May Pete pointed to their Siege line-up and asked me if it looked familiar.  

It's the SixAM resurrectted 

I believe the top of the line GC is a tweaked version on the G5 that Drew Ross was involved in. so some good roots---- not cutting edge now but good skis for their market of weekend rippers.

I was on a Siege some years back, it was my first slalom ski. I can easily conclude that it is not a good ski for the weekend lake skier. That ski hunts for an edge, sprays your face with front foot pressure, and is narrow enough that starts behind a I/O or smaller outboard are harder. A Union, base Senate, base Omni, etc. are orders of magnitude better than the Siege for that use. My guess is that O'Brien skis are still around just so customers who still associated it is a great ski brand have something. Just a guess.

[dbaconaz]

Duvall Skies. Have a Slalom and a pair of jumpers

[skibrain]

Saucier for sale in MN

FB marketplace

 

Edited August 24, 2023 by skibrain

[PatrickStar72]

On 4/22/2011 at 1:46 PM, jipster43 said:

This is kind of a companion thread to Scot Chipman's "Waterski companies of the world". How many waterski companies are now defunct but hold a place in your heart? For me it's these three:

 

1.) EP - First real slalom ski my brothers and I had.

2.) Excel - Somehow my family received a prototype for free. My dad knew someone I guess, 'cause my oldest brother had only skied in one tournament.

3.) Cut 'N Jump - I learned to ski on a set of 67" Cut 'N Jumps. I weighed about 40lbs, had to wear shoes to fit into the bindings, and could stand up as soon as the boat went into gear.

 

I'm also going to include KIDDER even though D3 lives on. I grew up on Lake Tapps (Sumner, WA - home of Denny Kidder). If you skied Lake Tapps in the 80's you were either on a KIDDER or an HO. The KIDDER crew was way more obnoxious and dominant. The HO crowd were usually the folks that wished they lived in Redmond or on Lake Sammamish.

 

JP 🙂

 

I know this is a really old post but I still use my grandparents old cut n jump skis from probably the 50s to drop one for slalom. Easiest skis to get up on and look super cool. Have had people tell me to hang them on the wall but they are too fun to ski on. 

[Mose]

How about Jobe U don't see them bringing out high end skis anymore

[Horton]

[thager]

Cindi Matranga Benzel?

[Cooper_Trelawney]

I brought up this brand in another thread.  These trick skis were made by the Chippendale furniture company in England and apparently had a balsa wood core.  I've never seen one in real life but some elite trickers were using them even in the 80s.

[Drago]

On 7/28/2012 at 3:53 PM, Edbrazil said:

From my home town of Laconia, and from the 50's and 60's: Aqua Sport skis. Good laminated jumpThat company (Cove Craft) got you both ways: they also made crutches. Owned by Larry Brown who was once President of AWSA, and also was a key organizer for the 1954 and 1959 Nationals.

 

Didn't see in the listings yet: a K2 slalom ski; very short-lived.

Awesome. RIP Ed ♥️ 

[MDB1056]

Hexcel was mentioned pages ago 

[skibrain]

[thager]

Sweet! I had those slippers on my early LaPoint ski. 

[MDB1056]

@skibrain a nice classic green Hexcel. Rare indeed