Saying Farewell to Skis

skierman_jack

skierman_jack

Active member
My philosophy with skis has always been to buy the cheapest used skis that I could mount the cheapest used pivots to and put a smile on my face. October 2021 I found myself in search of some new park skis. I ended up scooping some ON3P Kartel 96s from a few years back for 300 bucks, the most I had ever spent on park skis. I had always been skeptical of ON3Ps and wasn't sure if id even like them after a few seasons on Icelantics but I kept an open mind and tried something new.

Over last season and so far through this season, they have become MY skis. they've been spray painted, sharpied, broken and repaired over and over. Everywhere I go people ask about them both park skiers and otherwise. They've moved out west with me and they've made several amazing trips. They've defined my skiing and my identity at my local resorts. Last weekend I noticed a crack in the top sheet developing behind the heel piece. It didnt take but a couple runs for me to realize that the crack was not just the topsheet but all the way through the core wood. Its the end of the line for these ON3Ps.

For some reason putting these skis down has been really hard. Despite having bought replacement skis I still find myself tempted to grab them when I go out even though i know theyre hanging on by a thread. It genuinely feels like a piece of my soul has been taken from me. Many of my buddies tell me how perfectly mated those skis were to me and my style. As broken and goofy as they were, they were a part of my skiing. And while I could go buy a custom pair of jeffrey 96s to replace them, I know they will never be quite as special as my Kartels. They were and are truly one of a kind. So heres to my Kartels and all of those skis over the years that have been there for us over and over again.

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With that said if anyone has any kartel/jeffrey 96s 181-186 laying around I have a home for them haha!
 
ON3Ps rule for sure. Its always sad to have to move on to a new ski after riding one for a while. A lot of skis ride so different that they can be tough getting used to. Even if you buy the same ski again itll have a stiffer flex that you havent broken in. Part of the fun of being broke is buying used skis to figure out what you like and what you don't and wrecking em
 
ON3P is the only skis I genuinely feel sentimental about. These Jeffery 108's have been through 3 seasons of abuse, including one full season at Trollhaugen hitting park and ice exclusively. Since then they have been remounted and blasted over rocks, trees, dirt, etc. I have other skis I could ride on pow days now and I still choose these almost every time.

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My k108s will be wall art once they go. I have almost 4 seasons on them now, have been through a lot of good changes in life, and are nursing me into the world of touring. So many days on those.
 
Couldn't agree with you more. Some skis just earn that sentimental value and belong on the wall of fame, Kartels definitely belong there.
 
I've still got the 98 Kartel from the last year before they switched to 96. People still make comments on them at the hill. probably best ski ive ever ridden. i would buy a lifetime supply. might just fuckin make em idk.
 
Rowan sold me a pair of blemished Jeffries 10 years ago. I had knee surgery and my style changed (more directional, less jibby) but I still think about remounting those skis from time to time. I had more fun on those skis than any other I've owned.

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If anyone in VT is looking for Kartel 98s in VT, I have a pair of 186 Grizzlycorns with STH2s that I could be convinced to part with for the right price.
 
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