Modern Wood Skis? Check this company out...

[freezed]

This is a real oddity...

http://www.lightningboards.com/index.htm

They make old-school style all-wood skis in a variety of shapes (even a pontoon-esque one). The skis are only $165 a pair. They have "Electra 4000 P-Tex" bases, which some other manufacturers use, so that seems legit. They have polycarbonate edges though, which I'm not too sure about...

Probably the weirdest ski manufacturer I've come across. They make 16 foot "longboard" skis a la 1800s Europe too.

[AsheanMT]

Those longboards look wicked dangerous. Leather boots and straps to control all that board!?! Makes me want to try it!!

[hop]

at that price they're worth a try... for someone.

[cl1953]

I am very intrigued. Think they go to demo days?

Wonder how they hold on EC boiler plate.

[bisnibble]

polycarbonate Is plastic just to let ya know




plastic edges ??????:rolleyes2

[Fatty]

isn't it what they make eyeglass lenses out of?

[bisnibble]

isn't it what they make eyeglass lenses out of?


yes and yes it is clear so that is one cool thing

[nick > jesus]

the reverse camber ski only comes in 176,

but for only $165 i am tempted

[freezed]

I just called and talked to Bob (the guy who owns the company) on the phone. He presses them himself and the flexes are fairly soft (the pontoon-esque one is very soft). He seemed like a nice guy, he skis at Alta and Snowbird so if any of you are out near there maybe you can demo.

I'm seriously considering that pontoon one. Here's the deal - The big shovel part is tilted up, with everything after that flat. Not really "reverse camber" (more of a half rocker?), but still intriguing.

[The Dad]

the reverse camber ski only comes in 176,

but for only $165 i am tempted

Yeah, it's too bad it's not 10cm longer. I'd worry less about the edges with such a ski than I would with one intended to carve.

[SkiN00d]

I think FlexonPhil had a pair at one time. I think he sold them before he mounted/skied them but might be able to offer an opinion.

[cl1953]

I just called and talked to Bob (the guy who owns the company) on the phone. He presses them himself and the flexes are fairly soft (the pontoon-esque one is very soft). He seemed like a nice guy, he skis at Alta and Snowbird so if any of you are out near there maybe you can demo.


Since I am headed out there next week, I will do that. Thanks for making the call.

[LeeLau]

I saw one in Escape Route getting mounted with AT binders. They were 80-ish waist. Very stiff. Kind of 2x4 'ish stiff

[Professor Chaos]

Wow. Looks freakin sweet. Id love to try to Lunar Ladners, they look damn sweet, but I dont like the designs of the Ultimate (Spat look-alikes) as they remind me of Kootney Powdersticks where the widest point occurs before the skis stip starts to raise. Ive tried the Powsticks and that was one of the problems, but Id still like to try those Ultimates just to see how they perform. Damn is it really only $165 and do they ship to Canada? I wouldnt mind grabbing a pair.

[shirk]

I saw one in Escape Route getting mounted with AT binders. They were 80-ish waist. Very stiff. Kind of 2x4 'ish stiff

I tried flexing the tip and it didn't move, I repeat it did not move.

Just take a 2x6 and carve a ski and thats what this thing felt like. You would need that pontoon shape to keep any float in pow.

[FigureEleven]

The Izzy is the only shape that intrigues me... if only it came in a size 190cm or greater.

And FWIW... the Kootney Powdersticks are the worst skis I have ever been on... and I have been on many.

[The Dad]

Emailed the guy today to ask if he's thinking about making a longer version of the Ultimate. He said I was the second person to ask today, so they're probably going to.

Who else asked?

[oftpiste]

I have a pair in my oddball quiver. Bought them middle of last season. Lunar Landers with metal edges. They are gorgeous. And stiff. I mean stiff. Really stiff. Bob is a terrific and helpful guy and it's hard to go wrong for the price even if it's just for the experience. The tip and tail rise are pretty minimal as well, and there's not a lot of camber, though I put a block in them over the summer to see if I could get a little more which I felt might make them a little easire to turn. Haven't been on them this year.

I am 6'3", 180lbs longtime skier though not the very most aggressive and I have a very difficult time making them flex on the hill. I do ski them from time to time because they are so cool, but you better sack up if you want to ride them well. I usually tell people I'm not quite man enough for them, but I'll continue to try. They are big-time attention-getters on the lift. It's also cool to support a guy doing stuff like that and we all should do all we can to encourage this kind of thinking.

[nate s]

Emailed the guy today to ask if he's thinking about making a longer version of the Ultimate. He said I was the second person to ask today, so they're probably going to.

Who else asked?

Wasn't me but I would be down for a 190+, even if they end up on the wall it's worth a gamble.

[The Dad]

Hmm. Maybe 176 is about as long as I'd want to go, then. Tempting, for $165.

[pechelman]

Id pay the 165 in a blink for the ultimates in 190.

[elchupanebre4]

I wonder if there is anyway to get regular edges. Might be a long shot but the whole Polycarbonate idea scares me. Give them those and I'd sack up 165 bones for a 190 Ultimate without blinking.

[Flexon Phil]

I think FlexonPhil had a pair at one time. I think he sold them before he mounted/skied them but might be able to offer an opinion.

Yeah, I did. I had a pair of the "Sweet Dad's" or whatever they were. I took them up to Sunday River and both skis broke within ONE run. It is not that I was pounding bumps or anything, I was taking it easy on them and making smooth turns and snap then snap. Both broke right behind the heel piece at the Lingenstone seam. IMHO a poor design in the ski. They are a great looking ski and make fine decorations.

I will say Bob was great to deal with. I e-mailed him pictures of the skis and he replaced them under warrenty no problem. I ended up selling the warrenty pair on Ebay.

[Core Shot]

You are all pussies.

There is only one stick this guy makes that I would love to take on the chairlift:
http://tetongravity.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19208&d=1165930919

You could straightline ANYTHING

I would, however, upgrade to a modern binding. Leather straps are so 11th century.

[Free Range Lobster]

at that price they're worth a try... for someone.

you first.
i'll follow.

[iceman]

Did anyone ask what the deal with the polycarbonate edges is? I'd be curious to know why he chose that material.

[The Dad]

Yeah, I did. I had a pair of the "Sweet Dad's" or whatever they were. I took them up to Sunday River and both skis broke within ONE run. It is not that I was pounding bumps or anything, I was taking it easy on them and making smooth turns and snap then snap. Both broke right behind the heel piece at the Lingenstone seam. IMHO a poor design in the ski. They are a great looking ski and make fine decorations.

Hmmm.

Then that certainly makes this email exchange suspicious:

One other question, this time about the construction of the boards.

I understand that these are solid, unlaminated wood, and that the grain runs lengthwise. My concern is that torsional stress in turning would likely result in stress along the grain and subsequent fracture.


If the grain didn't run lengthwise, the skis would break! That's the whole idea of a straight grain ski. Never had one break yet. Have seen a lot of fiberglass and carbon fiber skis broke and or bent. Bob

[BigLineSeeker]

I got an email from Bob about some 185cm Ultimates. He says it is no problem to make a set, but it would not be until the summer. Sounds like he is skiing all winter.

[nick > jesus]

he told me that a longer ultimate would be coming around april 07

[marshalolson]

like 197?

[nick > jesus]

i requested in the 190 range, a big step up from the current 176

[skimasterflex]

I'm gonna bump this thread because the other one going about this sucks right now.

I talked to the guy and he said that the Polycarbonate is used to help lighten the ski since the solid wood can be a bit weighty.

Has anyone had any more experience with these things this season? or was Flexon phil the only brave soul/victim? I wonder if any of these things would hold up to hard skiing. Kind of Ironic that the 2 bits of actual experience we actually have to go on are so different. One says they have to be skied hard, the other said they broke not even being skied hard.

I just like the idea that for super cheap you could have him build you whatever you want shape wise.

[haydukelives]

he is a nice ol chap. we discussed metal edges and base materials so i know he has made metal edged skis. i have never skied them. he does this as a hobby, and i would be surprised if you couldnt work something out with him if they broke on the first run

[oftpiste]

I'm gonna bump this thread because the other one going about this sucks right now.

I talked to the guy and he said that the Polycarbonate is used to help lighten the ski since the solid wood can be a bit weighty.

Has anyone had any more experience with these things this season? or was Flexon phil the only brave soul/victim? I wonder if any of these things would hold up to hard skiing. Kind of Ironic that the 2 bits of actual experience we actually have to go on are so different. One says they have to be skied hard, the other said they broke not even being skied hard.

I just like the idea that for super cheap you could have him build you whatever you want shape wise.

The other mystery here is that we're both "phil". :fmicon:

My suspicion is that Flexon Phil got a bum pair or something. I mean, yeah, they are solid wood so would break easily especially if there were some kind of flaw or weakness in the piece of wood. Being extremely stiff they would also be more prone to breakeage, right?

I have ridden mine a handfull of times since I got them and they are - to me - a cool novelty item and not a ski I think most people would want to ride every day. I enjoy them most in cruddy or manky conditions because there just ain't no deflection and they just blast through anything. I've not heard any creaks or crackles when skiing mine, but I don't put them hard through their paces as I know they're considirably more breakable than any other skis I own and I'm not super heavy or super aggressive.

If you're interested in the ski and can spare the cheap price, go for it! They're pretty, they're a great conversation piece and fun to ski under certain conditions. It's fun to know what it's like to ski on a piece of solid wood, and it definitely gives you some perspective on the materials used in building modern skis! Know what they are and that they won't likely be a daily driver and have fun with them. You ain't going to find a better pair of completely handcrafted skis anywhere for that kind of coin.

Are they meant for hard skiing? Nah. Might they break? Yup, but Bob'll take care of you if they do. They're fun and interesting and worth the $165 I paid for them.

[skiing-in-jackson]

The recent bump got me thinking about these again. I emailed him about the run for the 07/08 season. I'll let you know what he says...

I inquired about the BEATNIK 125-87-110 in a 185.

also I was surfing around his page...and I found this...

The History Of Longboards
For the brave of heart are these 16 ft. Wasatch Lightning Longboards © (and 12 foot trainers)...(my emphasis)

oh great, I can learn on a 12 ft. pair of wood skis instead of having to get rocked by the 16 footers:eek: :eek: :eek:

[skifishbum]

This guy used to bring skis by for grinding, before he bought an old montana from us.
Super nice guy, awesomely crafted work, a bit on the heavy side.
Never got a chance to ride them though.
He was using lingano stone for edges before polycarbonate