OLIN Brand Snow Skis:
OLIN: American Industrial Innovation on Snow
Born in the 1960s in Middletown, Connecticut, USA
TL;DR — For Collectors
- American ski brand tied to industrial materials science and the U.S. ski boom era
- Best known for the OLIN Mark Series: a model family that covered racing, cruising, powder, and moguls
- The Mark IV and Mark IV Comp are the headline collectibles—especially for freestyle and bump-ski history
- The Mark VII stands out for honeycomb-core construction and lightweight performance
- OLIN’s ski business was sold to Anthony Industries (K2’s parent at the time) in 1989 and the name was later phased out
From Industrial Materials to Moguls: The OLIN Story
OLIN occupies a distinctly American corner of ski history: a brand associated with industrial engineering and materials know-how arriving on the slopes during the sport’s rapid expansion in the 1960s and 1970s. Rather than emerging from an Alpine cottage industry, OLIN’s story is often told as an “outsider” entry—Connecticut-based manufacturing paired with a performance-first mindset.
For collectors, the appeal is twofold: (1) OLIN’s clean, technical identity in a transitional era of ski construction, and (2) the enduring reputation of specific Mark Series models—especially the skis tied to moguls and early freestyle energy.
The Mark Series: A Full Quiver Philosophy
The Mark Series became OLIN’s signature. The lineup was designed to give skiers purpose-built options—race-oriented skis, long-turn cruisers, and shorter, more aggressive skis that excelled in bumps. This model-by-model clarity is one reason OLIN remains highly “collectible by category”: you can collect Mark Series skis as a coherent set, or chase one standout model with a specific use-case legacy.
Mark IV and the Freestyle Turn
The Mark IV family (including the Mark IV Comp) is the center of gravity for most collections. The turned-up tail and lively, “rowdy” bump performance made these skis cultural objects as much as sporting gear—especially when mogul skiing and early freestyle identity were forming. For many collectors, an orange Mark IV-era ski is instantly recognizable wall art that also carries serious on-snow history.
Exit and Consolidation
By the late 1980s, ski industry consolidation accelerated. In 1989, the OLIN ski business was sold to Anthony Industries (the parent company of K2 at the time). As brands and product lines consolidated, the OLIN name on skis was eventually phased out—making surviving Mark Series examples a finite, era-specific collectible.
Collector's Guide: Key OLIN Models
| Model/Era | Years | Significance | Collector Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark I | 1960s–early 1970s | Early flagship all-mountain identity; clean, technical graphics | Medium |
| Mark II / Race Variants | 1970s | Performance-focused series members tied to race-room culture | Medium–High |
| Mark IV | Mid-1970s | Iconic mogul/freestyle-era ski; early turned-up tail influence | Very High |
| Mark IV Comp | Mid- to late-1970s | Refined Mark IV feel; commonly sought as the “nicer” Mark IV experience | Very High |
| Mark VII | 1970s | Honeycomb-core construction; lightweight, sweet-performance reputation | High |
Why Collectors Care
OLIN skis capture an American “cross-industry” moment: industrial materials thinking, bold graphics, and a model lineup that mirrored how skiers actually skied—racing gates one day and smashing moguls the next. The Mark Series, especially the Mark IV family, is a collector magnet because it sits at the intersection of performance, culture, and recognizable design.
Because the brand name was eventually phased out after late-1980s consolidation, surviving examples are time-capsules of a specific period in North American ski history—making condition, originality, and provenance particularly important for serious collections.
Got Vintage OLIN Skis?
If you have a pair of vintage OLIN skis you’d like to sell, authenticate, or simply learn more about, we’d love to hear from you. We’re always looking to expand the archive and connect with collectors.
Email us: mike@longskistruck.com
Please include clear photos (tops, bases, tips, tails, bindings, and any stamps/markings) and any known history or provenance.
Provenance & Authenticity
When evaluating vintage OLIN skis, authenticity is mostly confirmed through the details collectors love: original graphics, correct construction cues, period-correct bindings/mount patterns, and consistent model identifiers. Condition matters, but so does “honest originality”—especially on Mark IV-era skis where heavy use was common.
- Model identifiers: Confirm the exact Mark Series model name/graphics for the era.
- Construction cues: Compare sidewall/laminate details and core claims to known Mark Series norms.
- Bindings and mounts: Period bindings and clean mount patterns support authenticity and timeline placement.
- Graphics integrity: Look for original finishes and intact, era-consistent ink and color.
- Collector context: Any documented owner history, photos, or shop tags increase historical value.
- Structural condition: Watch for delamination, edge separation, and base compression—especially near tips/tails.
If you’re unsure about a pair, contact us at LongSkisTruck™ and we’ll help you place them in the right era with collector-grade context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What made OLIN skis different from other brands?
OLIN skis are closely associated with industrial materials science applied to skiing during the American ski boom. The Mark Series emphasized consistency, durability, and model-specific performance for racing, cruising, and moguls.
What is the most collectible OLIN ski?
The OLIN Mark IV and Mark IV Comp are the most collectible models, prized for their popularity in the 1970s and their early turned-up tail design that influenced freestyle and mogul skiing.
Did OLIN invent the twin-tip ski?
OLIN did not invent the modern twin-tip, but the Mark IV family’s turned-up tail is widely regarded as an important precursor to later freestyle and twin-tip design trends.
What happened to the OLIN ski brand?
In 1989, Olin’s ski business and worldwide rights to the OLIN name for skis were sold to Anthony Industries (parent of K2 at the time). The OLIN name was later phased out as product lines consolidated.
Sources & Further Reading
- International Skiing History Association — Technology (Seth Masia and Mark IV context) — Mark IV era context and ski-technology history
- Los Angeles Times (Sept. 2, 1989): Anthony Industries buys Olin Ski — Acquisition and consolidation reporting
- UPI (May 22, 1981): Olin Ski settlement coverage — Contemporary reporting on legal settlement
- Vintage ski collector community references and firsthand accounts
