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January, 2025

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J-Skis. Who, what, where, when, why.

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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,302
http://signup.jskis.com/?r=https://www.newschoolers.com/readnews/43528/The-Jason-Levinthal-Q-A?c=latest&o=2

Im thinking a breaking bad based ski brand. The Walter Whiterooms will be the pow ski.
Oct 3 2013 9:09AM
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BigScaryLarry
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 2,732
inb4 ninthward sucks but i have had really good luck with my ninthwards so i recommend the ninthward B Murdah. 300 bucks a pair, durable and a chubby 92 underfoot
Oct 6 2013 8:00PM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
engineering.

Really Jason needs to hire some chemical engineers to design a base material that is faster, and way more durable than HDPE or UHMWPE.

a coreshot-proof base that still slides well on snow would easily be worth an extra $100 for a pair of skis.

Also some pre-rounded edges to avoid burrs, pant leg rips, and catching on rails would be a very nice feature on a pair of new park skis.
Oct 6 2013 8:15PM
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Session
Posts: 5404 - Karma: 22,511
If there was a better base material it would have been made

Buy better ski's and you won't have to worry as much about core shots.

99% of skiers are not looking for rounded edges.
Oct 6 2013 9:02PM
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 5996 - Karma: 3,648
old thalls used to have rounded edges and no one cared. May as well start with edges if you are jumping and then if you only ski rails you have the option of filing them off.

And I was being sarcastic about the marketing degree. Obviously everyone would be pumped to make $300 skis that are bombproof.
Oct 6 2013 9:06PM
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Saga.
Posts: 3812 - Karma: 45,337
I could be wrong here but I believe the reason some skis have such soft base material is because it affects the flex pattern of the skis. If you have a super tough base material it will create a stiffer ski. Which is fine if thats what you're going for. And yes maybe there is a way to engineer a new material that is the best of both worlds.
Oct 6 2013 9:41PM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
99% of skiers don't hit rails

for the niche market that park skis fill, de-tuned edges could be an important feature.

sure the regular all mountain guy wants sharp edges, but I think the average park skier doesn't mind the loss of grip, especially if it helps prevent damaging his skis on rails.

I've found keeping my edges smooth with a gummy stone prevents stress fractures (edge cracks) which lead to edges ripping out.

I honestly think it could be a selling point if you show people that smoothing out the edges actually protects them if they are going to be sliding on metal.

Oct 6 2013 10:27PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
I did a full research project on UHMWPE and its use and skiing along with alternatives that could work for my materials class last semester. You're pretty much out of luck unless you want to spend huge money.

The "easiest" fix is much higher purity polyethylene. This allows you to pack more grains into the same space and in the end get higher crystallinity.

The other method is using some sort of ethylene copolymer. This isn't just a mix it in with the poly late in the manufacturing phase, this is adding the copolymer during the polymerization process. This method has been used a bit with golf balls.

The issue is your balance of properties. Stiffness and toughness can always be increased, but you'll lose some elasticity.

And at the end of the day, the customer base that demands this type of product is extremely small. Small enough where a thicker base and just better ski manufacturing processes in general make a durable "enough" ski.
Oct 7 2013 12:10AM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
Yeah, I'd assume a ski made with a truly bulletproof base would have to be ridiculously stiff, not ideal for park use.

I'm sure the technology will improve eventually, composites and plastics are being researched and improved, and we'll see even crazier plastic constructions as 3D printing evolves.

I can't wait until coreshots are a thing of the past, and you can ride out an urban rail onto asphalt without grimacing.
Oct 7 2013 1:20AM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14535 - Karma: 11,051
I would like to see grind plates come back like Line used to put on the ski blades way back. I've never skied them, but I wonder if it would be feasible on a normal length pair of skis.
Oct 7 2013 5:59PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,145

Fuck you and your Elizabeths, newcomer. It ain't about that. What's it about?

Two words: Ostness Dragons.

(just kidding why would he start a new company just to do re-hashes of old Line models)

Oct 7 2013 6:10PM
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 5996 - Karma: 3,648
Didn't the 1260s with the pimp graphics have them?
Oct 7 2013 6:36PM
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SteveStepp
Posts: 9529 - Karma: 20,653
Mehh. I cant really support this unless they send me and my friends skis/money
Oct 7 2013 7:35PM
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Jahoe_Stuyve
Posts: 415 - Karma: 2,506
I would hope for a grass roots start up, if he truly is going for the microbrew ski a new team of up and coming riders would be too sick. So much unseen talent is out there with their own style.
Oct 8 2013 12:34AM
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Session
Posts: 5404 - Karma: 22,511
Probably not looking for Am's.
Oct 8 2013 12:46AM
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Stainr
Posts: 1186 - Karma: -1,150
dode, i loved my edges filed down from factory, i think 06 were the tire tracks?? fuckin loved those skis..
Oct 8 2013 6:42AM
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JsNeagle
Posts: 1405 - Karma: 1,577

Oct 8 2013 11:15AM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,302
I for one would be super stoked to see Candide ride for J. I feel like Candide's style has never really worked with any of the skis hes had, and he's never had to really design his own high quality ski (Coreupt doesn't count). If Jason could let him design a ski and have total control like he did with Pollard, you would end up with one sick pow stick. Plus it seems like their attitudes towards skiing are very similar; the inspiration and close ties to snowboarding, using the whole mountain as a park, the idea that skiing is a sum of all the elements opposed to freeskiing, big mtn, racing, moguls, etc each being their own sport.
Oct 8 2013 2:49PM
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Ghini
Posts: 2263 - Karma: 3,002
Haha I really like how J keeps the hype alive, from his Facebook:

Holy crap! Check out this new UV flat bed printer we just got in at the factory this week. First tests are looking insane!! Magazine quality printing direct to the plastic top and base. Skys the limit now!!!

Click for larger image

He already has a factory??
Printing directly to the plastic top and base???


Oct 9 2013 10:35AM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
HYPE!
Oct 9 2013 11:18AM
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Turkelton
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 8,558
I want to see some good photos on skis now
Oct 9 2013 1:19PM
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R.Fahey
Posts: 8602 - Karma: 539
If he wants to have an idea and a ski to consumers within 8 weeks, he'll need to minimize the amount of things he outsources. If he has total control and a great relationship with a manufacturer (or even his own presses) he'll be able to pump out a new model every other month.

And to the kid who mentioned Candide. The idea for J's business seems the opposite of what you'd put Candide on your team for. If you put Candide on your team and have him design a ski, you'll need to sell thousands and thousands of pairs in order for it to be a worthwhile investment. The whole point of J is limited quantities and frequently changing concepts.

If he took a Traveling Circus type crew that does weird shit on skis, it would align with his brand vision I think.

And, J, if you read this you should do a web series similar to Signal Snowboard's "Every Third Thursday". Not only is that a killer marketing tool, but I think one day it will lead to a product that has a place in the market.
Oct 9 2013 1:28PM
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Faction
Posts: 336 - Karma: 15,966
You'd be surprised on how Candide is involved in the development of his skis !
From product design, choice of materials, topsheets design etc.. He's testing a lot of prototypes, give us constant feedbacks on the skis and get to check out the production process and talk to the engineers in the factory. They really are what he wants to ride, and they turn out pretty amazing.

Anyway, super curious to see what Jason will bring to the table ! My personal call would be fully customizable top sheets with quality printing on it..!
Oct 9 2013 1:47PM
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00000000
Posts: 11075 - Karma: 82,508



Videos somewhat relevant.
Oct 9 2013 3:16PM
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~bagelz~
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 1,067
nick micnutt
Oct 9 2013 5:16PM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
YES.

1:10-1:25
and the rest of the edit.
Oct 9 2013 9:00PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,410
"You have been a pioneer in the ski industry in the truest sense of the word. After taking Line from a garage to a global scale, if you could go back in time to the very beginning, what would you do differently?" -ckk

"I also would have outsourced 100% of ski production from day one (instead of start a ski factory). I would have kept R&D in-house for fast development but I almost went out of business a couple of times spending too much money trying to be a manufacturer. There were plenty of other ski factories already that could have built product for us saving me tons of time and money that I could have re-focused on the bigger more unique work I needed to accomplish." -JLev

Also, the printing. He'll print directly onto the laminated side of the base material, not the running surface of the base. If you printed on the running surface it would be stripped away with the first base grind. Either or can be done with the topsheet; how it's done will usually be dependant on the topsheet material.
Oct 10 2013 1:40AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,410
http://signup.jskis.com/?r=https://www.facebook.com/

Soon.
Oct 14 2013 9:46PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,302
lol just noticed the announcement will be at 420.
Oct 14 2013 11:03PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
I hope these are soft and @ 95-105 in the waist.
Oct 14 2013 11:11PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,302
4 min!
Oct 15 2013 4:16PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,410
Move that bus?
Oct 15 2013 4:24PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,302
at least 4 min late. Bus isn't moving yet.
Oct 15 2013 4:25PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,410
Eh, he's probably doing a few down to the wire things. Understandable.
Oct 15 2013 4:26PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,302
or he got really high and forgot.
Oct 15 2013 4:31PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
Ellis Brigham carry them I think
Oct 15 2013 4:33PM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,223
BOOM! Just got my email. Anyone want to buy a pair of 185 Opus from me real quick?
Oct 15 2013 4:35PM
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1337
Posts: 31064 - Karma: 29,404
can I has an email too please?
Click for larger image
Oct 15 2013 4:44PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,302
yeah dog post the link and ill buy your opuses for $10.
Oct 15 2013 4:48PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14535 - Karma: 11,051
No email :( going out to dinner at 5:30, skis'll be sold out by then fuuuu
Oct 15 2013 4:48PM
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STAUSS
Posts: 8232 - Karma: 3,311
i havent got mine yet :(
Oct 15 2013 4:49PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5077 - Karma: 43,055
Me neither and on FB he said it was delayed...
Oct 15 2013 4:50PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,302
From jason's fb:

slight delay! blaming it on the interewbez. Email w/secret domain will be going out shorty. thanks for your patients!



Oct 15 2013 4:50PM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,223
Click for larger image
Oct 15 2013 4:52PM
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a_burger
Posts: 5247 - Karma: 20,886
BLACK STEVE!
Oct 15 2013 5:12PM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,223
http://jskis.com/collections/all-skis
Oct 15 2013 5:12PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14535 - Karma: 11,051
IT'S ALIVE
Oct 15 2013 5:14PM
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1337
Posts: 31064 - Karma: 29,404
redirects to the launch page
Oct 15 2013 5:14PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,302
the link will only work if you get the email. So stepp right up and buy a pair!!!
Oct 15 2013 5:20PM
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