Ah the good ol’ days of skiing. Bright, neon outerwear; creative facial hair; provocative advertising; backscratchers, daffies, spraffies; letting the mane fly free under bright blue skies; three-piece Raichle boots; gondolas built to resemble spacecrafts… There have been countless looks, trends, advancements and triumphs in skiing’s history, but all of them have resulted in or happened as a result of folks having fun in the snow. Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite vintage imagery from skiing’s past. Don’t get too nostalgic.
Aspen Snowmass
An Aspen Highlands ski patroller sending it over a 47-foot deck next to the patrol shack at the top of the Cloud Nine lift. Published in the Aspen Times on January 3, 1980. Photo courtesy of the Aspen Historical Society, Mary Eshbaugh Hayes Collection
The old Silver Queen gondola cresting the Ridge of Bell with the Gentleman’s Ridge run and Aspen in the background in February 1990. Photo courtesy of the Aspen Historical Society, Hodges Collection
Mammoth Mountain
The legendary Glen Plake at Mammoth Mountain. Photo courtesy of Mammoth Mountain
Ah, the daffy, a classic maneuver. Photo courtesy of Mammoth Mountain
Jackson Hole
The old Jackson Tram car. Photo courtesy of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
A black and white shot of Jackson patrollers Frank and Rod firing up the cannon. Photo courtesy of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
The Jackson Hole trail map for the 1966-67 ski season (click to enlarge image). Image courtesy of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Copper Mountain
Sun’s out, guns out. Photo courtesy of Copper Mountain
Shredding turns with the jagged Gore Range in the background. Photo courtesy of Copper Mountain
Mt. Bachelor
Snaking down Mt. Bachelor with the Three Sisters in the background. Photo courtesy of Mt. Bachelor
Loungin’. Photo courtesy of Mt. Bachelor
Whistler Blackcomb
Incredible illustration commemorating Whistler Mountain’s 20th Anniversary in 1985. Image courtesy of Whistler Blackcomb
Blackcomb: The Mile High Mountain. Image courtesy of Whistler Blackcomb
Squaw Valley
Squaw Ski Patrol atop the tram. There’s a bevy of top-notch mustaches in this photo. Photo courtesy of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
The last ride on the old KT-22 double chair before it was replaced with a quad in 2004. Photo courtesy of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
Snowbird
Harvesting powder underneath the tram on Silver Fox in the 1970s. Image courtesy of Snowbird
People forget that clothes used to be optional at Snowbird. Image courtesy of Snowbird
Brian Beck with the impeccable style. Photo by Richard Price, courtesy of Snowbird
Jay Peak Resort
Shredding pow underneath the iconic Jay Peak aerial tram. Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Get off with Mother Nature at Jay Peak. Image courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Mount Snow
Old school snowcats. Photo courtesy of Mount Snow
Eager skiers descend the Fountain Race Course. Photo courtesy of Mount Snow
Winter Park Resort
Winter Park ski patrollers lightin’ the fuse. Photo courtesy of Winter Park Resort
An aerial view of Winter Park in 1945. Photo courtesy of Winter Park Resort
Mt. Norquay
The 1972-73 trail map for Mt. Norquay. Image courtesy of Mt. Norquay
$4.50 lift tickets?! Image courtesy of Mt. Norquay
