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Piccadilly recently had its annual King Keyser night, where the ski shop hosts our group and offers us a big discount to shop for our ski and board needs that nights. One of the items of merchandise that King Keyser carries is Obermeyer. In speaking with Rick, King Keyser owner, he informed me that the founder of Sport Obermeyer is Klaus Obermeyer who will be 106 years old on December 2. On his 100th birthday he was still skiing. When he was 3 years old, he fastened orange crate boards to his boots and skied around his home in the Bavarian Alps in Germany. So he has skied for 100 years!  His father owned a sporting goods store which helped to pique his interest in sports. He grew up in Nazi Germany but didn’t support their views and knew he would have to leave. So one day when he thought no one was looking he just started to ski away. Two SS officers spotted him and pointed their guns at him. He was shot but his backpack got the worst of it and saved his life. However, he did break his leg. Someone found him and took him to a hospital where a nurse helped to get him proper care and hid him from the Gestapo.

He made it to the United States and settled in Aspen where he worked with his friend Freidl Pfeiffer at the Aspen ski school. He founded Sport Obermeyer in the attic of his home based on insights gained from his years of teaching. One of his first innovations was a down parka made from his goose-down comforter. In 1961 Sport Obermeyer opened its warehouse in Aspen producing the latest innovations in ski wear and ski products. Obermeyer is still in the forefront

of the ski industry. And FYI, he was a personal friend of Warren Miller.

Klaus still lives in Aspen with his wife and is often present at the office.  He believes the secret to his long life is positivity and keeping moving. He holds high regards for the next generation of skiers and innovators. He says, ”The biggest lesson in life is to get along with people very well.  It makes life nice and sweet.” Sounds like great advice for us all!  Thanks and happy birthday Klaus!    

Happy Skiing! Skimeister, Jackie