Retro

Retro

Skiing from the 1930s - Early 2000s. Remember your pair of 210s, a t-bar ride, the family-run mountain and the collection of ski tickets hanging from your jacket. Did you plant your straight skis together, wear jeans and had never heard of a ski helmet? Whatever your decade, ski memories, nostalgia and stories of how and where we used to ski are shared here.

Collage of photos from Snow Ridge and Turin, NY in the 1950s — Snow Ridge memorabilia from the 1950s

Snow Ridge, Early Ski Mecca - Part II of My Ski Roots

Snow Ridge Ski Resort is known for natural snowfall, on the Indy Pass and recently celebrated their 80th season. I knew of Snow Ridge from family stories. I visited during their anniversary event to uncover details of my ski roots and left with an understanding of what makes this ski area special.

Retro

Magic carpet surface lift at Emery Park — A Magic Carpet gently helps skier up the hill at Emery Park in New York

My Ski Roots – Emery Park, a Family Beginner Area

Small areas for learning downhill skiing, once widespread, are now few and far between. Welcome to Emery Park. I returned to my ski roots and found it's still free and still about families sharing a successful first day on the slopes.

Retro

A pair of old leather ski boots circa 1960s in the snow

Ye Olde Ski Gear Leather Boots and Unadorned Skis

Have you skied in leather boots? Do you remember when skis were solid colors and had no designs on them?

Retro

Althlete performs a ski ballet competition move on 1 ski — Photo by permission - Alamy

Remember Ski Ballet? What Happened to It?

Ski Ballet, sometimes referred to as Acroski, featured alpine skiers in an on snow competition with nuances of figure skating or gymnastics. It was a demonstration sport in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics and later lost favor to newer snow sports.

Retro

collection of alpine skis circa 1990s to ealry 2000s — Note the "thingy" on the tips of these skis

What Does That Thingy on Your Skis Do?

What did these thingys on my ski tips do? Ski evolution has had so many updates to get skiers attention and purchases. There have been real advances an others did what?

Skiing

Skier wears jeans while skiiing downhill — Photo by Erik Mclean / Unsplash

Skiing in Jeans is Back in Record-Breaking Numbers

Remember Skiing in Jeans? Waterproof, insulated fabric have replaced jeans for most skiers. But skiing in jeans is back in record-breaking numbers.

Retro