It's funny how nostalgic we can get about certain things. Classic cars instantly draw reactions. Remember the ride you tooled around in with a freshly-printed drivers license? The curves and lines of yesteryear are things you can touch that bring you right back to the good old days. The less you see them around town, the more powerful the experience when you do.
It’s the same with skis and golf clubs. These are the old friends that have been with us through some of the highlights of our lives. I bet it’s the same with snowboards too, but I haven’t been doing it long enough for anything to seem classic.
Last week I was faced with a crisis. Staring at the dusty, rusting K2 Extremes in my garage it was undeniable that these dear friends had outlived their usefulness. 204 cm with 8.3 mm of sidecut is not exactly the shape of forgiveness. Not by a long shot. I gazed at them fondly and realized that it has probably been more than 10 years since they have seen snow. I marveled at how I managed to turn the long stiff brutes.
I don’t have the luxury of space. These puppies had to go. I walked the neon spangled monsters to the curb and reflected on the Marker M-48 titanium bindings that I had so proudly mounted to the pristine boards. I stifled a sob.
A neighbor was walking her dog by and stopped.
“You throwing those out?” She asked incredulously.
“Yeah, it seems silly to keep something around that I’ll never use. I just can’t see spending time on them when the new stuff lets me ski like I actually have ability.”
“I just love my old Rossignols. I could never let them go.”
“It isn’t easy. Trust me. Thanks for the support.”
I shuffled away, heavy hearted cursing her under my breath. I tried to move on with life.
An hour or two later I couldn’t take it any more. I would teach the old dogs new tricks. Find some way to make them useful. Maybe in the form of a bench, or coat rack…something!
I ran out to the curb.
“I’m sorry guys! I want you back! I could never let you go.”
But the skis took the opportunity to show their unforgiving nature once again. After 10 years of sitting on the shelf they didn’t last 90 minutes on the curb.
I miss them, but I hope wherever they are, they have a fresh coat of wax and smooth, shiny edges.
I'll never forget you, even if I have moved on. Be well old friends. Be well.
-JJ
What are the icons of your skiing history?
What are the icons of all time?
I have a few-
Salomon X-Scream
Rossignol 4S
K-2 Extremes Still rad, even if you didn’t have Plake’s mohowak.
Olin Mk V
Atomic ARC
Elan SCX- Man, they looked goofy at the time.
K-2 FOUR
Trak No-Wax xc's
Give me yours.
