AFFIDAVITS –
“a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court. “
January 23, 1993
Submitted by: Matt Mahoney –
Crystal Mountain, Rental Shop Manager
In the ski business, there seems to be a new trend of two each year, which makes a few waves in our trade magazines and on the slopes themselves. Most rave awhile and fade away. However, we all know what snowboarding did for the industry. And in suit, the Odyssey Ski will follow.
I was contacted by Coni Nelson in October 1992 about the Odyssey Ski. I was reluctant in some degree, but with the fat sticks stories filling all the magazines, I agreed to look at some literature. Eventually, I agreed to a couple paid for my Performance Demo Operation.
When the skis arrived, my employees and I gazed at these strange creations called ODYSSEY. The skis came with a template for mounting the special brake wires to accommodate for the width of this marvel. The skis were easy to mount and the wire easy to install. I had some worry about indemnification on the binding due to the special brake, but that was alleviated when we tested their function-ability.
The skis were then placed in the center of our demo operation. They received enormous attention as well as comment. It was very difficult to sell for riding. My demo man talked til he was blue in the face about how this ski was made for the trees, steep and powder snow. When I inquired about how the ODYSSEY was doing he stated we had not done well. I immediately sent him and another of our repair techs out for a test drive.
The two techs returned with smiles on their faces from ear to ear. Bothe thought they had just been through the greatest experience of their lives. As the saying goes “Don’t knock it til you try it!”. I followed suit. The skis were amazing. They floated on terrain hardly steep for Crystal Mountain. They were by far the most responsive skis I have experienced in my life.
I felt as if I couldn’t fall and those snake trails we all dream about lay behind my path. I was SOLD.
Our Demo Team sold the ski hard, offering folks to try them for a few runs and if they didn’t like them their choice of another ski would be reserved. Not even once, did any taker return. The stories began to rush in about raging through the trees, leaving friend in the dust, or applauding the skiers as they watched our guest ski Powder Bowl. We asked Paul for another three paid in over the holidays and not one stayed in our shop during the business day.
To a ski area like Crystal Mountain this ski is a great alternative. Awesome terrain is literally untouched by most because of the inability to ski such. This ski opens new doors for the advanced or intermediate skier. Now, anyone can go where no one could go before and look good doing it…
I whole heartedly endorse the ODYSSEY SKI. I plan to carry the ODYSSEY in my operation. Any Ski Area, Heli Skiing Operation, or Performance Shop would be crazy not to do the same.
Thank you Coni and Paul for a sneak peak at the ODYSSEY, a ski thats time is coming…
Sincerely, Matt Mahoney – Rental Shop Manager
*****
May 6, 1994
Submitted by: Sherman L. Knight
Expert Skier
My name is Sherman L Knight. I am a fully certified ski instructor with PSIA – Northwest. I have been skiing since 1970, and typically ski 25-35 days each season.
Over the last several year, I have performed on snow testing and evaluation for several manufacturers. During that time, I have tested and evaluated over 45 different pairs of snow skis. Size range varing from 200cm, to 212cm. The parameters that testers n this industry report performance on are as follows:
- East of turn entry.
- Ability to hold a turn once initiated.
- Comparative analysis of turn radius.
- Adaptability to various snow/terrain conditions.
- Turn exit.
- Overall ride quality.
Dimensions in ski designs are critical. A few centimeters in length and millimeters in width or sidecut can dramatically change the performance of a ski.
The industry has stayed within a relatively constant range when it comes to dimensions for the past several decades. The width of skis both in shovel and waist have progressively become narrower for quicker edging and turning. The traditional length of recreational alpine skis has been between 190cm – 205cm with waist 61mm – 67mm.
I have tested the Wide Short Skis (Odysseys) over the last two ski seasons. I have extensively tested three different prototypes of varing lengths and width. (one prototype length 163cm, shovel 118mm, waist 99mm, tail 113mm) (Second prototype length 167cm, shovel 110mmm, waist 89mm, tail 104mm) (Third prototype length 159cm, shovel 112mm, waist 81mm, shovel 105mm).
My experience with traditional short but narrow skis left me with significant skepticism when I was first requested to evaluate the Odyssey. The trend in ski design was not pointing towards a Wide Short Ski, in fact, it was doing just the opposite.
Traditionally, skiers are led to believe that short skis are “unstable” at high rates of speed. I have not found that to be true with the Odyssey. I have skied with the popular “short ski” of the late 70’s. It was popular during that time to have a ski similar to the length of the Odyssey, but with a traditional width of 65mm. Those skis performed extremely well in certain, but limited, conditions. I found the Odyssey is not hampered by the limitations of conditions, and will ski runs and slopes where the traditional short skis won’t go.
While evaluating the Wide Short Ski, it was interesting to notice how much interest the skis evoked from skiers because they are so different from what is typically seen on the slopes. Evaluating these skis, I would typically have two pairs. I would usually invite another ski instructor or ski school chaperone to ski with me or provide both pairs for evaluation by other skiers.
The comments received by the intermediate level skiers were amazing. The Odyssey ski offers a unique for a skiing not available with skis of traditional length and width. The comments ranged from, “It is an incredibly easy ski to turn, to comments like, “ I wasn’t tired at the end of the day.” The most common and interesting statement from intermediate skiers was that they skied on trails and runs that they were afraid to try on traditional skis.” This willingness to try new, more challenging runs than you normally wouldn’t try on traditional skis is a direct result of how easy the skis turn and how stable one feels.
Several examples should be given. First, traditional length skis must be constantly “driven” in the direction that you wish to go. Especially in crud, tracked, or heavy snow, traditional skis are easily bumped off course and must be continuously steered. We refer to the tracks and crevices in snow as “gremlins”. They require you to constantly adjust your weight and balance requiring you to often fight the ski rather than skiing with it.
The Odyssey was different. The “gremlins” were gone. A ski of the length and width of the Odyssey is not as hampered as traditional length and width skis are in tracked conditions. The intermediate skier, instead of fighting the skis, for the the first time is left with the sensation that all he has to do is “think” the ski in the right direction.
As an example of its high-speed stability, I entered a ski school race at the end of the 93-94 season. Although it was a short course, the time on the Odysseys was a full half-second quicker than any other ski instructors in the race. The Odyssey handled the high rates of speed with ease. The instability typically encountered with a short but narrow ski was not there. The ski did well in all snow conditions, powder, crud, etc.
Although the ski likes to carve, making it useful for advanced and intermediates, the pivoting ability of the ski, I believe, makes it unique. Because of its short length, coupled with its wide base (and therefore lower friction per square inch under the foot), the ski pivots extremely easily. For skiers with weak abdominal muscles, or generally poor physical condition, or aging, this ski has tremendous benefits. The amount of effort necessary to turn the ski is extremely minimal.
Another area where I was pleasantly surprised was the ski’s ability to handle wide-radius turns. Typically, long skis are necessary for this type of turn. However, I found this ski amazingly smooth and stable in wide-radius maneuvers. Short-radius maneuvers were comfortable and “rebound” well. A skier with strong rebounding capability can “work” this ski very well.
Based upon my prior experience of testing many skis, as well as my 25 years of experience as a skier, I have formed a belief that these Wide Short Skis were designed directly contrary to the industry standards set for stability and speed. I was genuinely surprised by the ability of the ski to outperform any short ski I have ever skied before. Obviously there was a significant amount of research and development spent on obtaining the right combination of the above factors..
Respectfully Submitted by : Sherman L. Knight
*****
May 7, 1994
Submitted by : Howard W. Bade –
Mt. Baker Expert Skier
I am writing in regard to the Wide Short Ski known to me as the ODYSSEY. A ski designed and manufactured by Paul Nelson.
I have been skiing since 1966 an average of 30-35 days per season. I consider myself an expert skier with a first hand overview of the ski industry and how skis have evolved in the past 28 years. Until the 92-93 season my ski of choice had been 205cm alpine skis.
I was asked to demo and report on the performance of three different prototypes designed and manufactured by Paul Nelson. I must admit I was not expecting the performance the ODYSSEY’S provided. I was certain that the width was going to be awkward and then length unstable.
The performance of the ODYSSEYS was such a big surprise it actually left me without words to explain why or how they could have such comfort and ease in turning as well as providing stability at above average speeds. I noticed at the beginning of the season when I usually tired after a few hard runs, that I was able to go back and ski more. I’ve been skiing more runs per day with the ODYSSEYS than I did on my 205 alpine skis.
I am 42 years old and I’m once again able to keep up and pass many of the young “hotdogs” on the mountain. My two teenage kids fight over who gets to use the extra demos I’ve been testing. I’ve been able to ski terrain and conditions I started to avoid. Even my young son has become a “powder pig” due to the ODYSSEYS.
The most consistent thing I have noticed is that skiers seem to have a new sense of confidence while skiing on these skis. I have yet to find a skier that did not enjoy skiing this new ski.
I don’t know how Paul arrived at this combination that would have seemed to perform quite the opposite of what the industry would have expected. As I let others demo the skis they all are bewildered as to why this wide short ski is the easiest ski they have ever skied on.
I hope I am fortunate enough to continue to demo the new skis Paul develops…
Sincerely, Howard W. Bade