Old Growth Ski Company
Focused on building skis for the discerning East Coast skier.
Skis
The Darkside
The daily driver for east coasters. Named after one of my favorite areas to ski in New York, the Darkside at Gore Mountain. A nice wide shovel, a tight radius that quickly initiates turns, and a wide enough tail to really hook up and hold on when it gets slick. This is a super versatile ski that excels in firm conditions while still eating up anything from crust, crud, corn, a foot of fresh, and especially to scrape over rocks down the double chair lift line. Available in a variety of different layups ranging from approximately 1700 to 1900 grams.
164cm. 172cm. 180cm. 188cm 135.96.126. 15m radius (average)
30cm tip rocker. 5 mm camber. 15 cm tail rocker.
The Darkside in Quartered English Brown Oak
Barkeater 102
Designed to be a slimmer version of the powder ski that drops some weight and gains some agility. The Barkeater 102 utilizes a thinner core and a significant addition of carbon fiber to keep the weight down and stiffness up. The smaller Barkeater is intended to be a little more nimble from edge to edge while still retaining the pivotability and surfy character of its bigger brother. The flex profile is firm underfoot with a little more of a playful tip and tail. This is intended to tour well and provide a great mix of soft snow flotation while still being stiff and quick enough for when you find less than ideal conditions in tight spaces. This is my favorite ski to take on long walks in the woods.
164cm. 172cm. 180 cm. 188cm. 133.102.121 17 meter radius. 1700g - 1900g
40 cm tip rocker. 2mm camber. 25 cm tail rocker.
Barkeater 102 in Makore
Barkeater 112
Deep snow happens in New York State. When it does, it’s nice to have the right tool for the job. Designed to make the most of your favorite lines on the best days. A generous surface area keeps you from hitting bottom while having enough rocker to keep things quick in the woods. There’s just enough camber underfoot to give back some energy and stay playful while not hooking in three dimensional snow. If you stand on top of the namesake line in Herkimer County with these and some fresh snow beneath you, you’re going to have a good time.
164cm. 172cm. 180 cm. 188cm. 143.112.131. 17 meter radius. 1800-2100g (180cm)
40 cm tip rocker. 2mm camber. 25 cm tail rocker.
Barkeater 112 in Figured Red Gum
The Ryn
The one ski quiver for folks who want a shorter ski on the east coast that can take on everything you throw at it. Easy to turn, stable at speed, holds an edge on hard snow, all while staying fun and energetic. A full wood/fiberglass build gives this a forgiving flex profile with a bit more weight to handle inconsistent snow densities. Designed with a smaller skier in mind to be the only ski you really need in New York. Well suited for a wide variety of terrain and ability levels.
158cm. 165cm. 172cm. 131.92.117 15 meter radius. 1450g (165cm)
20 cm tip rocker. 6mm camber. 10 cm tail rocker.
The Ryn in Fumed Aspen
Erie
The most nimble ski in the quiver. With an 88mm waist, this shape is designed to rip smooth fall lines in firm conditions and transition quickly from edge to edge. Strategically placed carbon-fiber in the tips and tails is designed to increase torsional stiffness and keep the edges planted when it gets icey. This shape can be built in a range of flex profiles to suit beginner and intermediate skiers, as well as in a heavier, stiffer profile to suit expert skiers who want a fun groomer ski that can venture off groomed terrain and still hold its own.
162cm. 170cm. 178cm. 186cm. 129-88-115. 17 meter radius
25cm tip rocker. 6mm camber. 11cm tail rocker.
Erie 178cm in Figured Maple
Pricing
Skis start at $1075 for any of the shapes and sizes listed above in a domestic veneer and run to $1399 for a full custom shape and layup. Exotic veneers are an additional $35-100. Ordering info is located on the Purchase page
Construction
Cores: All skis are constructed with a vertically laminated, full length Ash and Poplar core. All of the lumber we use is sustainably harvested in Western New York and hand selected for building skis. No knots, imperfections, or spliced pieces. Cores can be constructed fully out of Ash for a more stout build.
Bases: We use a 4001 Sintered UHMW base material that is manufactured within a 200 mile radius of our shop. This is a high quality, dense, and fast industry standard base that keeps your core protected and holds wax.
Edges: Rockwell 48 hardened steel edges. 2.2mm thick. We use a partial wrap tip and tails to prevent impact-based delamination and to keep swing weight down.
Reinforcements: There are a variety of materials we use in our layup. Foundationally, we use a triaxial fiberglass in weights between 19 and 22oz. We also use unidirectional or biaxial carbon stringers depending on the desires of the end user. The use of carbon can increase pop and stiffness and keep weights down by allowing for a thinner core profile. We also use a VDS rubber to improve bonding between the edges and the reinforcements, as well as to dampen the vibrations transferred to the core via the edges.
Epoxy: Entropy bio-based epoxy is designed specifically for ski manufacturing, has a lower environmental impact than petroleum based products, and provides exactly the right physical properties for a bomber build.
Topsheet: All of our topsheets are real wood veneers that come from a local supplier. We impregnate the veneer with resin and use a UV inhibiting varnish to keep things protected, long lasting, and looking clean. The topsheets can be refinished, as well as rejuvenated with a proprietary oil/wax mixture.