item details
NameSkis
ProductionAuthier Ski; manufacturer(s); mid 1950s; Switzerland
Attenhofer; manufacturer(s); mid 1950s; Switzerland
Attenhofer; manufacturer(s); mid 1950s; Switzerland
Classificationsnow skis
Materialshickory, metal, leather, plastic, rubber
DimensionsOverall: 150mm (width), 93mm (height), 1905mm (length)
Registration NumberGH024102
Credit lineGift of Ian Mardell, 2012
Overview
These Swiss skis were made from laminated hickory construction with a plastic 'Cellulix' sole and interlocking screwed on steel edges.
Cellulix was a cellulose-derived hard plastic first used on skis in 1949. It offered a vast improvement in wear resistance and speed over the various paint-on sole formulas which preceded it.
The leather 'safety straps' were wrapped loosely around ankle to prevent the ski rushing down the slope if the binding released during a fall.
These skis were originally sold by Oester in the resort town of Adelboden in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, and were eventually brought to New Zealand.