top of page
Search

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

  • Writer: Andrea Hamilton
    Andrea Hamilton
  • May 21
  • 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


Here are some other Snow Pods:



BLISTER | Blister



WHERE TO SKI | Home | Where To Ski


ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM SNOWBOARDING

Apple pod link Also on Spotify and iHeartRadio.


SKI REX MEDIA | Ski Rex Media, LLC


Snoqualmie Pass, WA interviews, news you can use, local happenings, trail updates, and weekend weather.


Send us your favorite snow pod.


Thanks!


Andrea


Comments

bottom of page