Preserve the Heritage; Ski with Wood

NEWS AND INFORMATION

Seasoned wooden skis for sale

Home-Made Wooden Skis in Italia

Click Here for photo gallery of ski construction

Homemade Wooden Skis and Bindings

Click Here for more photos of Paul's ski-making project.

http://twitter.com/woodenskis

From Duluth to Saint Paul on Wood
247km in 5 days

Selbu Mittens and Hats

"The knitting traditions of Selbu Norway are hundreds of years old, but around 1850 a young women, Marit Emstad, created a little knitting revolution. She often knitted while working as a summer shepherd with yarn in her pocket or basket. Marit decided to try knitting with two different colored threads instead of one. The results were great patterns and a technique that soon became popular. Others made their own style, and today the Selbu Husflid has registrated more than 300 designs. The expert Norwegian knitters create incredible detail on each article using a variety of needles. Notice the reinforced heal of the socks and stockings and the beautiful detail in the thumbs and fingers of the mittens and gloves."...fjorn.com

You can purchase these fine, Norwegian mittens and hats at http://www.fjorn.com

Swedish Wooden Ski Makers

Ski History in Hamar, Norway

Vintage ski boots, snowflake mittens, rucksack, poles, Grunn Smøring, and Østbye wax on-display in Hamar, Norway

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/trains/norway02.htm

We now have videos describing how to clean and pine tar skis.

Vintage Ski Ad

From New York Times, 1933

Click Here to see more vintage ski advertising

The History of Splitkein Skis

Click Here to read the amazing history of laminated skis!

History of Skiing

Did skiing originate in Norway or in the Altai region of Asia, as some people think? Click here for a fascinating video showing wooden ski history.

Expedition Equipment

Minnesota, in the far north of central United States is home to many outdoor recreation suppliers and vendors. Will Steger and Lonnie Dupre are based in Minnesota and both have explored the North Pole using Minnesota-made products. Click here for information on must-have winter expedition equipment.

Longboard Racing in California

Attu Skis

The Japanese symbol on this ski is "migi", meaning "right". This ski's mate likely had the "hidari"/"left" symbol. It is interesting that these skis are also marked with the letters 'ELFA'. Can anyone offer an explanation of the "ELFA" insignia?

These skis were found on Attu Island in the Bearing Straits of Alaska after WWII.

See http://www.alsap.org/Attu/Attu.htm for more information.

Byrd Expedition

5.31.07 - We are very pleased to announce that we just purchased the L.H. Hagen pair of skis used by Larry Gould, who was second in command on the Byrd Expedition to Antarctica in 1928.

- Carlton College information on the Byrd Expedition

- More photos of the Larry Gould skis

Purchase this Wood N Skis 11" x 17" color poster printed on 90# paper

$20 - includes shipping to lower 48 states of USA

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

COMMENTS

2/22/09 - Back in the days when the 75mm, 3 pin was the state of the art boot/binding system, the holes in the boots which would accept the binding pins would eventually deteriorate. After a while the boot could not be firmly clamped onto the binding. You could attach a thin metal plate called "smiley plate' onto the bottoms of the duckbill portion of the boot. This plate had holes which would line up with the pins and help keep the boot holes from elongating. Do you know where I can find a pair of "Smiley Plates"?.....Fred - fswark@charter.net

Every now and then over the last 20 years I get nostalgic for my old wooden Madshus Birkebeiners and wonder how I could have “lost” them when I moved from Vermont to Seattle. So tonight I googled to see if anyone was selling some and found your website. What a great story you have, and what a wonderful service you are doing preserving old wood skis.

When I switched to fiberglass waxless skis, I was so thrilled that I could go skiing on a moments notice – I lived in Vermont where one day could be purple klister and the next day special green. I tried not to think about the decreased performance, but I’ve never forgotten how wonderful it is to ski on a perfectly waxed wood ski.

I was surprised to read about how popular the Madshus Birkebeiners were, since I never once saw another pair back when I used them 1973-1983. Everyone seemed to have Bonnas, and I was forever explaining that my weird unpainted skis were really quite good. And I was dismayed because it means they will be harder to find now.

Sooooo, if you do ever come across a pair, in the 200cm range, I’d be thrilled to buy them from you. Who knows, maybe they would actually be my old pair – I do hope they aren’t just rotting in some fallen down barn in Vermont. And again, thanks for what you are doing in saving these old skis, and getting the word out about them.

I always figured I wasn't the only one who knew that wood was best for all-around touring. Here's my brief history: My age is 63 next week. Semi-retired. I live in Price, UT. I ski on the top of the Ashleys and the Manti-Lasal.at around 9000 ft. The Ashleys have the best powder in UT...period. I am about an hours drive to either. I have skied a min. of 20 days for the last 32 years. Several seasons were over 40 days. I've had 30 mi. days on a snowmobile track.

Lots of full moon overnighters.I always ski 'haul'in the freight' ie, about a 40 lb. pack...see photo.In my youth I would ski in Oct. on wet rocks or a heavy frost, now if it ain't powder, I go home. I gave up skiing on red wax 25 years ago.Its Toko blue special (or Swix if I can't find Toko) end of list.

I've skied all the new stuff, waxless, metal edges, contacts bindings, etc. All junk. My first ski was a pair of Bonnas, 2400's in 210. No lignastone edges. They came with a pair of Alpha low cut touring boots and bamboo poles. $40. I still use them for new turks who want to learn to ski but have no equipment. I have a bunch of Bonnas in 2000 & 2200 as well as Asnes...most all skinny (what I call track skiis.)

For the last several seasons I have been skiing a pair of ASKEOM's . Its the only pair I have ever seen They're wide bodies (2400) with lignostone edges. I got them with clap trap cable bindings , but put some TROLL 3 pin bindings on . I've bought junk skis just to get the TROLL bindings..I think they are the best, but the Marker & Rotofella are ok.

Does anyone know anything about these skis?? Made in Norway is all I know. Well if anyone gets the urge to kick some good powder over their gators... give me a shout. Today was 10 - 12 in. new powder, virgin trail, skied the storm. Day 15.
Regards, John M....Price, Utah

2/7/09 - Dear Wood n' Skis-
Thank you very much for providing me with the Victor C. Dunder Award. The skis were wonderful to have for a year and my team will be very happy to be able to use them next year. Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Kati H., Willmar, MN

Editor's Note: The Victor C. Dunder award is given, through an application process, to motivated, first-time high school skiers and is sponsored by the Minnesota Nordic Ski Coaches Association. Wood N Skis contributes most of its proceeds to non-profit ski and outdoor related organizations. Click here to see our list of philanthropical recipients.

2/2/09 - Hi there. I love your website! .......I am 25 years old, and have built many things including a kayak, and cutting boards that I sell. But I must say that I feel the one thing I've built that I am most proud of is this pair of skis.....Photo

I am curious if you know of any resources on the advantages and disadvantages of different wood types for skis (both cross country and downhill).

If you know of any books or online resources not listed on your website I would love to know of them.

I found a Finnish manufacturer, check out their website at http://www.suksitehdasylonen.fi/. Unfortunaltely it seems to be only in Finnish at the moment.

1/23/09 - Late last season I found this site. It had been some time since I used my Bonna 2000s and I had a desire to come back to the sport. I was elated to find your site because no other site on outdoor sports had any current knowledge of wooden skis, and most responses to my inquires suggested I save my skis as a decoration and buy the newest equipment. This season I have been in the local woods several times and have used the information you have posted as a refresher course.
Now, if I am successful in losing the last 10 pounds, I will put on my old knickers!
Thank you,
Dom G.........Boston, MA

1/19/09 - Greg--I was lucky enough to marry up and in that process our ski collection grew considerably. My wife is a first gen American of Norwegian/German parents. In our collection we have a lot of woodies all in great shape (Bonnas, Splitkeins, Anses, Skiloms). These are likley all from the 60s and 70s. The top of our collection is my father-in-law's Splitkein Splitkanas. He unfortunately passed away before were were married. We recently moved and I no longer have a good shop to have service done. I want to clean up the skis (all of them) but had some questions.

First, the Splitkanas. The base colors are different from the other skis. The ligno edges, which are in pretty good shape aside from one gouge that needs repair, are lighter brown than the other skis. Also, the bases are near black. I was wondering about the color of the wood bases on those--it seems they have an opposite color arrangement. What else can you tell me about them?

Some time ago, I bought a pair of Asnes Veterans. My wifes loves them and they ski pretty well. But I am looking for another opinion on the tops of them. To protect them, I have used linseed cut with mineral spirits (the same process I use on furniture). But I want a bit more protection. I have Epifanes spar varnish (Wood Finish Matte) that I use on my boat. I spoke with them about the flexibility of the boat and bought based upon their recommendation. Should I apply a varnish to the Veterans? Or continue to use the linseed approach?

Editor's Note: Todd, I use linseed oil thinned with turpentine to refinish clear coat skis such as the Asnes Veterans, Madshus Birkebeiners, and Normark VIs.....Greg

I love your website! I am actually in the process of making wooden cross country skis. They are nearly complete. I am 25 years old, and have built many things including a kayak, and cutting boards that I sell. But I must say that I feel the one thing I've built that I am most proud of is this pair of skis.

I am curious if you know of any resources on the advantages and disadvantages of different wood types for skis (both cross country and downhill).

If you know of any books or online resources not listed on your website I would love to know of them.

1/12/09 - Hi,

Do you know anyone who is interested in matching up single skis? I'm sure that there are many of these lonely hearts out there. While wood skis were made in pairs, matched skis are usually good to ski on. Attached is a picture of 4 single skis I have that are looking fro a good home; a 180 cm Birkebeiner in almost new condition, a 205 cm Splitkein Special, a 215 Asnes Tur-modell, and a 215 cm Toppen Tur-lett. I'd be willing to either trade with someone or part with them for shipping costs and a few dollars.

I really appreciate your site. We try to get as many people on wood skis as possible. It's amazing how many people have been turned off of cross country skiing due to being sold narrow fiberglass skis, and then find out how much fun skiing on wood is.....Click here for photo of skis.......Norm

Thanks so much for your website. It’s so nice to know that I am not the only fan of wooden skis around. I’m still skiing on my first pair of X-county skis purchased in the mid 60’s, a much beloved pair of Asnes tur langrenn’s. I had no idea that anyone still made the base pine tar for wooden skis. Mine have not had the treatment in many years, so upon seeing that the stuff was still available, I quickly ordered some.

I recently gave away as a Christmas gift, a beautiful pair of Bonna 2400’s (in like new condition) to a German friend of mine, who noted to me that in Germany, wooden skis are still treasured as well, so this is not some quirky Minnesota thing. Thanks again for the site and information.....Dave