Stroll Down Memory Lane: Ski, Wax And Rollerski Companies

Published: Wed Aug 24, 2005 12:00 AM MDT

FasterSkier readers enjoyed and added a large number of past and present ski, wax and rollerski companies to our Test Your Cross Country Skiing Knowledge: Specials questions posted on July 28, 2005 http://www.fasterskier.com/news2408.html . Here is your chance to go down the memory lane and remember or see products and companies you loved, hated or have never heard about. Most of today’s companies are also included.

So put on your current favorite wax room tunes that you (or your parents) played way back then, and scroll down the list.

Oldies: Play those old Beatles, J.Geiles, The Who, Nazareth, Deep Purple, Birds, Twisted Sister, Stones, Clapton, Ramones or Blondie songs and join the journey from pine tar and wood, to Splitkana and fiberglass and p-tex, from kick wax to glide wax, from three-wheelers to two wheelers. Rock on…

We are sure that some of you might be able to make the list even more complete… Keep on adding and correcting miss-spelled or inaccurate companies!

And if anyone has photos of the real old-time gear, send them in! We'll post 'em here.


Ski companies:
Addidas
Askim,
Asnes
Atomic,
Bergan,
Bergen Torpedoes – anyone else heard about this one?
Blaa Skia
Blizzard
Bonna
Bull-Ski
Edsbyn
Eggen,
Elan
Epoke
Estonia - added 8/24 renamed to VISU
Fischer
Germina
Head
Hexcel – anyone?
Jarvinen
K2
Karelia - added 8/24 - USSR
Karhu
Kastle
Kneissel
Kuusisto?
Landsem
Lindex - added 8/24 Lovett
Lyte – anyone?
Madshus,
Mantyranta? – can anyone from Finland confirm this one
Mizuno –Japanese?
Morotto,
Mukhachevo - added 8/24-USSR
Muller
Peltonen,
Rossignol
Salomon
Sandstrom
Silva - added 8/24 Sixtens
Skilom
Ski-trab (Tab?)- Anyone else heard about this one?
Spaulding
Splitkein
Sporten (Czech racing skis),
Sundins
Temp - added 8/24 USSR Tegsnäs
Toppen
Trak
Uktus - added 8/24 USSR
Visu
Volkl
On skis; John Engen: I could add that my home town of Lillestrøm, Norway at one time had over 30 ski makers or factories. That’s something to be proud of. Keep these lists going, and we will have a history book in the making.

Wax companies:
Bass
Bratlie (black..yellow klister) (Tim Kelly’s favorite New England wax)John Engen:Their best product was Bratlie Silke, for "silk" conditions, hardpack with fluffy tracking powder on top. They also had a phenomenal green klister, and tar-klister "tjereklister" for wet and icy conditions..
Briko
Dominator
Dr Zogs
E-Wax?
Ex-Elit
Fall Line (orange)
Gallium
Guruwax?
Haka
- From Finland. Black HaKa for cold, sticky powder snow (1960-70's) Haavaldsen’s Ski Smurning - >John Engen: From Eidsvold, close to my home in Norway. This brown resin-like cake sped up skis when nothing else would. Many great victories in high caliber ski competitions were aided by this “secret” without anyone knowing. Holmenkoll
HWK?
Innowax?
JackRabbit Wax - Canadian, added 8/24
Kuu?
Lind Ex
Magnar
Maxi-Glide
Nanowax/Cerax
Pölders?
Rex
Rode
Ski-Go
Slick - added 8/24
Solda
Star
Start,
Swix
Toko
Vauthi
Vola
Østbye Jon Engen: The brand saw the light of day after Peder Østbye’s racing success in the first part of the last century after discovering klister as we know it. The best known products throughout the mid-to later part of 1900 were the waxes Mix, Medium and Mixolin, which was a forerunner to klisterwax or even binder-wax as we know today. These waxes were extremely durable and had wider temperature ranges than just about anything we use today.

Rollerski companies:
Bergans
Bill-Boards
Dinamo - added 8/24 USSR
Edsbyn
Elpex
Excel - added 8/24
Falcon
Formo
Hornet
Hosprint
Karhu
Landsem
Marwe
Moon
Nordic Roller
Pro-Ski
Road-Ski - added 8/24
Roletto
Rossignol
Royale
Ski-Skett
Start
Swede Ski
Swe-Nor
V2

Just like old times: Photos from the Wooden Ski Classic in Anchorage, AK, Nov 2004

 

 

Reader Comments - Add Your Own Comment

Tim Cowan - Vergennes, VT, posted on Aug 24, 2005 Skis: Around 1972-73 SILVA, the Swedish compass maker, was marketing skis under their name, including the "Ski Jogger". Definately remember some Hexcel (aluminum honeycomb core) racing skis, dark blue with that flo green lettering (mid-70's). Wax: I agree with someone out there that Bass (a New England shoe company) was trying to sell some ski wax in the early 70's. Dr. Zog's was actually surfboard wax, in a container that said "Dr. Zog's Sex Wax, the Best Wax for Your Stick". Jim Fredericks (Rossignol) used to keep a tube in his wax kit for a laugh. Roller Skis: Road-Ski (Swedish, 3-wheels, red, wooden shafts with blue plastic fenders. Broke like matchsticks!) Excel (3-wheels, silver aluminum shafts, blue fenders) Tim Kelley - Anchorage, AK, posted on Aug 24, 2005 I believe that in the early 1970's Mike Galagher and the Vermont Tubbs Snowshoe company worked together to develop and market a wooden race ski. But the advent of fiberglass skis was the end of this venture. Mike, or maybe Marty Hall?, could verify this. Lind Ex also made skis - I saw a pair at Play-it-Again Sports once. Play-it-Again Sports is a good place to see low-end race skis for sale from brands you've never heard of before. And you can find obscure older brands in the "collectables" bin. I believe that your spellings for Hexcel and Kuusisto are correct. Alexei Sotskov - Saxtons River, VT, posted on Aug 24, 2005 There used to be many ski and wax manufactures in former USSR. Just to name a few: - Mukhachevo (they still open and actually manufacturing a lot of skis for Fischer, Rossignol, etc) - Estonia (Then they were renamed into VISU), - Karelia. Ski wax: Temp, Uktus Roller ski: Dinamo John Estle - Fairbanks, AK, posted on Aug 24, 2005 I believe I once owned some tins of Ostbye wax back in the 70's. If I remember correctly, their "Universal" wax said it worked for "new or old, wet or dry snow above and below freezing." Maybe that's the elusive wax that we've always been looking for. And does anyone remember the Moon poles with the conical baskets? Mark Graves - Berkeley, CA, posted on Aug 24, 2005 . . . "addidas"? well, certainly I guess anything is possible. However, I sorta thought it was not "addidas", but "adidas", however, here is a link to both names. ha! http://www.yuccadune.com/product326.html (Boots - Addidas Suomi) mark Benji Uffenbeck - Eagle River, AK, posted on Aug 24, 2005 I believe both Edsbyn and Silva made ski wax as well as skis. Silva wax was one of the early sponsors of the American Birkebeiner during the 70's or early 80's. Benji Uffenbeck - Eagle River, AK, posted on Aug 24, 2005 I believe both Edsbyn and Silva made ski wax as well as skis. Silva wax was one of the early sponsors of the American Birkebeiner during the 70's or early 80's. John Mathieu - Bath, ME, posted on Aug 24, 2005 Still own some unused Bass Wax, Bratlie Wax, and Lyte racing skis. Found this underneath a FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE L.P. Pictures sent to FasterSkier. Also, Tim K. had a lot of us in northern VT using Barrcrafter (sp?) poles while on roller skis in the mid '70's. John Mathieu Bath, Maine kriscs - caribou, ME, posted on Aug 24, 2005 HWK - German Company. They only make glide - and pretty much only fluoro. Skis - KAZAMA - My first race skis that were a freebe from my neighbor. Nick Faulkner - flagstaff, AZ, posted on Aug 24, 2005 what about fastwax?? Olivier Rives - Besançon, NULL, posted on Aug 25, 2005 Skis: - Vandel, still living in french Jura - Grand Chavin , from Jura also, but over - Dynamic , french brand disapeared in the 90's - Lacroix, but theit skis were made by Vandel I suppose Wax : Maplus, makes liquid gliding waxes Rollerskis : - Eagle, well represented in rollerski WC - Rollx, made in france near Oyonnax - Skiway For info, SkiTrab is Spanish, there are lots of in the pyrennees Dell Todd - Grand Rapids, MI, posted on Aug 25, 2005 SkiTrab are made by the Trabucci brothers of Milano, Italy. Lovely skis. How about Dragon Wax ? ben husaby - bend, OR, posted on Aug 25, 2005 I am holding in my hand a can of pre war Veli kick wax. It is Finnish- complete with the official stamp of the Finnish National team on the metal cap. I wish I could read the writing on the can. I think it claims to be the gold medal wax from the 32 Olympics. You know it is from Finland the instant you open the can- a waft of pine forest enters the room. BH Matthew Pauli - Anchorage, AK, posted on Aug 25, 2005 Does anybody have any old Bergan bindings out there? Those were the best 75 mm top-loaders in my book. Bergan torpedo (skis) were red, honeycombed core, and had a tip that flexed like a wet noodle. I can still recall using my wooden ski, plastic base Kazama's (Japan) in the late 70's (jr. high). ANDY WILKENS - BOULDER, CO, posted on Aug 28, 2005 Hexcel skis! Growing up in northern Michigan those obnoxious day-glow graphics indicated the actual distance of one's face vs. the mogul that just dissapeared under the flat light. Long before all the flouros or even trendy (but weird) silicone gels, you couldn't beat Homenkol yellow for for anything fresh and wet. Yes, I still ski on my Landsems with pride. Who else can produce a ski made legendary by Oddvar Brau, stable enough to keep any raging drunk upright skiing home from the bar with that signature soft tip gliding gently and harmlessly over the assaulting sidewalk curbs. Tim Kelley - Anchorage, AK, posted on Aug 30, 2005 I remember as a high school skier seeing many of the Middlebury College skiers on "Trysil Knut" wooden race skis. Damn! I'm remembering way too much from the 70's. That's not good. It can only mean one thing. I partied WAY TOO LITTLE back then! Manuel Vegan - Austin, TX, posted on Oct 26, 2005 I don't ski much anymore but can appreciate the walk down memory lane. If this does anything for you, check out the vintage Hexcel t-shirt I found. It's pretty cool. http://transfernation.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/hexcel_vintage_tshirt.html Peter Ross - Bridport, VT, posted on Mar 24, 2006 Tim Kelley- Remember Ben Crocker and the Balsa Letts? . skilom 141 - Ft. collins, CO, posted on Oct 15, 2006 I still use old-school skis, and I would not trade them for modern ones. I love them, They are one of my price possesions. They are Skilom 141s. And well, I guess I am kinda obssesed with them, But I love old-school skis style, with the long,pointy tips, and the old bindings are cool. I love the way they look. . skilom 141 - Ft. collins, CO, posted on Oct 15, 2006 Oh- and I'll try to get some pictures of my Skilom 141s. John Briner - Skagway, AK, posted on Nov 09, 2006 As I recall Head skis made a brief attempt to develope a XC ski. Dolph Kuss and Mike Elliot down in Durango had a pair or two in the 60's. Skis were light and quick but refused to hold kick wax I was told. Any one recall Epokey (sp?) skis Curt Faulk - Anchorage, AK, posted on May 23, 2007 I have tons of vintage gear left and I'm moving soon. I'll take some photos and forward them. I even have some Swix RED/BLUE wax that was made in Sweden, not Norway. Helen Dollan - Kalispell, MT, posted on Sep 16, 2007 I have some vintage skis of my late husbans's.... 1.Ski Master...Edbryns(?) 2.Hickory Esko Farviner skis 3.Head 360 (black and weigh a ton) 4.JaR Vinen Crosscountries....126 Olympia a doubled M followd by 187 Medal 5.Skilom...#200 10828 Is it possible to get a ballpark figure for resale on these, as I have someone who wants to purchase them. I appreciate you time. Thank you Mrs. Jack M. Dollan (Helen) Marty Hall - Gatineau, QUE, posted on Oct 05, 2007 Know it has been sometime since this article was run---but you missed a great ski---Lovetts---made in Boulder, Colorado by John Lovett. Took a pair on my first trip to the Dachstein Glacier in the early 70s for testing. Was on the Dachstein with Gerhard Thaller from Fischer and did some glide testing with him. On the tram ride down he said to me that he would like to get a chance to see what the core of the Lovetts were made of as they were lighter then the Fischers he was testing that day. In the glide tests the Lovetts were very competitive. A very competitive ski, but, $$s and fragility were the downfall of the Lovetts. ROBERT WOLFE - FAIRBANKS, AK, posted on Oct 15, 2007 PLEASE ADD "KONGSBERG" MADE IN NORWAY TO YOUR LIST. APPROX 1980 I USED MINE(200cm,73mm WIDE) WITH CABLE BINDINGS IN THE HILLS AND BACK COUNTRY. I HAVE CHANGED TO 3 PIN BINDINGS WITH SIXTENS HEEL LOCATORS. STILL USE PINE TAR AS BASE PREP AND CANDLE WAX AS GLIDER. I ALSO STILL USE ADIDAS SUOMI 38mm BINDINGS AND ADIDAS SL RACING SKI. THE SL SKI'S ARE 44mm WIDE. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE OPPOSITE TYPES THEY BOTH HELD UP VERY WELL AND I STILL ENJOY THEM. THE ADIDAS SL'S WERE MADE IN AUSTRIA. I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW LONG I'VE BEEN USING THEM UNTIL I READ YOUR ARTICLE. THANKS FOR THE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE. ROBERT WOLFE - FAIRBANKS, AK, posted on Oct 15, 2007 PLEASE ADD "KONGSBERG" MADE IN NORWAY TO YOUR LIST. APPROX 1980 I USED MINE(200cm,73mm WIDE) WITH CABLE BINDINGS IN THE HILLS AND BACK COUNTRY. I HAVE CHANGED TO 3 PIN BINDINGS WITH SIXTENS HEEL LOCATORS. STILL USE PINE TAR AS BASE PREP AND CANDLE WAX AS GLIDER. I ALSO STILL USE ADIDAS SUOMI 38mm BINDINGS AND ADIDAS SL RACING SKI. THE SL SKI'S ARE 44mm WIDE. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE OPPOSITE TYPES THEY BOTH HELD UP VERY WELL AND I STILL ENJOY THEM. THE ADIDAS SL'S WERE MADE IN AUSTRIA. I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW LONG I'VE BEEN USING THEM UNTIL I READ YOUR ARTICLE. THANKS FOR THE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE. Kelly Rose - Lake Placid, NY, posted on Nov 30, 2007 Here's a few more. These are in addition to those mentioned on this and the other "stroll down memory lane" comments page. Skis(All XC, not all racing): Tua, Trucker, Valtonen, Pioneer, Odyssey, Summit, Rafale(by Aomori Ski Mfg-Japan), Viking(unfinished cherry wood tops), Alpina(made by Madshus), Phoenix, Nordic(Skan), Eiger, Elite, Norse, Normark, Nors*Quip, Erik, Euro-Sport, Miller, Lampinen, Laasanen, Jofa, Hagan, Holzner. Waxes: Ski Control, Nordic(brand), Holley( Speedspray glide and two spray kicks-30 years ago!), Fastex. Roller skis: Trak(by Roleto-I still have them), Skisu, RSeep, Nors*Quip no.07's. I may come up with a few more now that you've got me thinking about it. Boots and bindings anyone? Kelly Rose - Lake Placid, NY, posted on Dec 02, 2007 OK, I'll get the ball rolling down "Memory Lane". First, 2 more skis-Huski and Rex(a fellow just today said he got some from Caldwell's shop in Putney back in '69-still has the invoice) Boots: Adidas Alfa Alico Alpina Artex Asolo Atomic Caber Dovre Dynafit Erik Edsbyn Euro Fabiano Fels Fischer Hartjes Haugen Heierling Henke Jalas Jette Karhu Kongsberg Look Madshus Merrell Miller Nike Norge Norrana Nors*Quip Patrick Perssons Risport Roces Rossignol Salomon Sixtens Solva Skilom Skitur Summit Suveren Trak Tiger Trystil Knut Tyrol Tyrolia Bindings: Adidas Bergen Comet Dovre Erik Emery Euro FinnGrip Grevsig Longstep Miller Normark Nors*Quip Olympic-Polar Ramy(Mtneering) Rottefella Royken Skilom Trak Silva Silveretta Troll Trucker Vinersa Villom Pinso Tyrolia Alpina Rossignol Look Karhu(Snow-Go) Dynafit Nordic Roller(branded Rottefellas) Boreal Heelocators Norpine(dist.by Jarvinnen-a complex heel locator) Hartjes (not a whole binding, but a keel to be added-a precurser to Profil) And how many are still around?... Kelly Rose - Lake Placid, NY, posted on Dec 02, 2007 Oops..Fischer bindings too. Add Your Own Comment

Popular on FasterSkier This Week:       US Nationals: Freeman and Compton win Skate races in Anchorage       US Nationals: US Nationals Skate Distance Changed       News: Five Canadian Biathlon Women Launch Nude Calendar With Hopes Of Raising Funds To Fuel Quest For International Podium       World Cup: Babikov Wins Final Tour de Ski Stage       News: Tragedy at Colorado Ski Area       US Nationals: US Nationals Sprint Canceled       US Nationals: Nationals: Classic Distance Race Canceled       World Cup: Cologna Wins Tour de Ski, Northug Charges to Second Browse All Recent Articles In The Archives Return To FasterSkier.com homepage