Brothers Bill and Don Kirschner founded K2 in 1962 on Vashon Island, and were known for pioneering lighter fiberglass skis that quickly became popular with winter sports enthusiasts. The name K2 comes from the world's second-largest mountain, but it also refers to the two Kirschner brothers, Bill and Don. These skis were made by K2 and named after professional champion skier, Vladimir Peter "Spider" Sabich, Jr. (1945-1976). He was a member of the US Ski team on the World Cup circuit, competed at the 1968 Winter Olympics, and raced as a professional in the early 1970s, sponsored by K2. The donor of these skis received them from his father back in the 1970s. His father discovered them, apparently abandoned, sticking out of a snowbank on the side of the road. As skiing can be an expensive sport, the donor very much appreciated having these free skis and he used them on several Washington ski areas such as Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass, Mt. Baker, Crystal, and even Whistler in British Columbia, Canada.