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105 Years of Ski History: Klaus Obermeyer on The Powell Movement

  • Writer: Andrea Hamilton
    Andrea Hamilton
  • 3 hours ago
  • 2 min read

In this two-part podcast episode, Klaus Obermeyer — ski innovator and legend — shares his incredible life story in a conversation with Seattle's own Mike Powell on The Powell Movement.


At 105 years old, Klaus Obermeyer is more than a ski industry legend — he’s a true innovator with a life story that’s nothing short of incredible. Growing up in Germany, escaping the Nazis, and eventually settling in Aspen, Klaus’s contributions to skiing are legendary: from inventing the down jacket and ski brakes to mirrored sunglasses and sunscreen for skiers.


In a special two-part episode of The Powell Movement, Seattle host Mike Powell dives deep into Klaus’s remarkable journey.


Part One- Early days in Germany, Sun Valley and Aspen. Listen here





Part Two- Innovations and Obermeyer Sport. Listen here.




From his Wiki page Among Klaus's many innovations, some of the most notable are:

  • The quilted down parka, stitched together from his own down comforter.

  • The first mirrored ski sunglasses from vaporized metal.

  • The first nylon windshirt.

  • With Friedl Pfeiffer, the first high-altitude suntan lotion.

  • A dual-layer ski boot, the first with a warm liner and rigid exterior shell.

  • The first turtlenecks with elasticized collars.

  • The 2-prong ski brakes.


Follow Mike's THE POWELL MOVEMENT


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ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM SNOWBOARDING

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SKI REX MEDIA | Ski Rex Media, LLC


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Send us your favorite snow pod.


Thanks!


Andrea


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