Vintage Skis

[CurtEgerer]

First snow of the year today + I came home to find a little package on my doorstep. So I think reviving this old thread is justified

These skis (for me) have been the holy grail. Basically unobtanium and unlikely to ever find a pair. I bought a pair of these brand new in 1972 - they were not a common ski at the time, Atomic was just getting a foothold in the US market. Coincidently, a photo recently surfaced that was taken the day I got them - no bindings mounted yet. The skis delaminated toward the end of the season and I was sent a different model as a replacement (which I still have). 40 years later, a fellow collector in Vancouver found a pair for me and sent them over!
1972-73 Atomic Atomic.jpg

The warranty replacement skis:
Atomic Dominator SL.jpg

[Jens]

Cool Curt! I had a pair of Atomic "Red Sleds". Are these the same ones?

[t6dpilot]

Very cool Curt! Thanks for reviving this thread.

[CurtEgerer]

Jens, the legendary Red Sleds were a few years later. These were the skis used by Annemarie Proell on the World Cup and Hugo Nindl on the Pro Circuit. They really don't even have a model name and were before the AR (Atomic Racing) and ARC designations.

Anne Marie Proell Atomic 1973.jpg

1974 Pro Ski Tour.jpg

[Jens]

Oh man, great photos. "The Turn" was so much different in those days.

[CurtEgerer]

Jens, so when was the last time you were on 'straight skis'?

Also, here's a crappy cellphone pic of a photo taped to the wall in the skier's bar at Boyne Mtn. It's got to be around 1972. You can see 3 pairs of Atomic Atomics. There are also Volkl Test, Kneissl SS, and Blizzards. I need to get a clearer pic next time I'm there.

IMG_20130228_153051 (1).jpg

[Jens]

Curt, I don't know the last time I was on straight skis, but it sure wasn't this century. It was before my friend George Tormey put a pair of the new K2s in Bode's hands (and the rest was history).


Cool photo!

[CurtEgerer]

I'm going to do a retro day this season for sure. My curiousity has got the best of me as to how bad the old skis really were and/or how good the new stuff is. Might go 'all in' with the trusty 203 VO Slaloms I'll report back ... possibly from a pair of crutches.

[Jens]

Just don't expect too much. But, they were sure great in their day.

They'll track you off into the woods if you try to do a clean carve. They'll slide just fine so ski them accordingly.

Just don't get hurt!!

[rower]

Great photos.
I remember as a child when I got my first cubco bindings. And when my boots were no longer leather lace ups bought used. And those first Head white label skiis... Love to try those now.

Did the Redford Downhill Racer 911 in the photo say sportomatic across the engine lid?

Now I want to see a single (rowing) she'll on a 911: 27' long 11" wide!
I wonder if anyone has tried it. Ignoring the overhang, probably not enough span to endure the lift.