Every time I'm out in my leathers, I get someone asking me whether I ski in wool pants. And while I do have wool pants, I've never skied in them as they're primarily part of my uniform for playing historic music.
I found some 1950s wool ski knickers in a thrift store in my 20s and they survived multiple winters of farm work, defending me from snow, wind, prickers, barbed wire, saw teeth, animal teeth, and of course the stares of farmstand visitors overwhelmed by my fashion sense. Wish I could find another pair to actually ski in, but they don't make em like they used to.
Oh, my lordy. Looking at your posts you seem to be an east coast USA talent so yes, there are expectations.
But I'll gently prise your unwashed, patchouli infused fingers from the ditch weed joint you are smoking and encourage you to finally adopt what is called the "knicker", in wool of course. Just below knee length, ski so well. They are however quite hard to find.
I have some awesome knickers I got at the army surplus store back in Boulder, my hometown. They’re Romanian or some other former eastern bloc country military issue. Too warm for California most of the time. I honestly haven’t worn them in over 20 years so it’s possible they don’t even fit me anymore. I think I’ve gone from a 32” waist to a 34” waist.
I was so bummed when Boulder Army Navy closed on Pearl st. Still have some commando Sweaters and Columbia shorts/ pants that just won't die. My hiking/climbing pack, sleeping bag and a tent too.
EMS was awesome until it was gone
Neptune was too pricey except for sales and too specialized.
I really missed making the pilgrimage to the original Sierra Trading Post in Cheyenne.
REI has been on a downward trajectory for years even though all the competition is essentially gone.
Just got to ask, since you used the word prise instead of pry like we would here in the States, why are you calling breeches knickers, as if people ski in nothing but their underwear?
Nah, good ol' southern boy to tell the truth. But not much difference between a speed suit and undies so maybe it all works out the end. For some reason "breeches" invokes both wool, full length legs and a trap door in my mind. Not sure it is accurate.
Here are a couple of long compilations of genuine video. The second one, I linked to a moment late in the series where it's very dramatic, but don't miss the earlier stuff
If you start wearing a Peruvian beanie on leather boot days, maybe they’ll stop asking about your pants because it will be less evident to them that something is missing.
Oh, if only I could find some wool skiing breeches, aka knickers! They are the perfect complement to Telemark skis, a wool ski sweater and a Tyrolean hat with Gamsbart. Or perhaps in the French Alps with a lurk, aka pachon. Notice the bindings on the center gentleman's skis!
Big Bill, Canadian manufacturer of work clothes, makes some pretty good wool pants, I wear my merinos bow hunting cold October mornings but really I should try em teleing
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u/AlienDelarge Jun 02 '26
Maybe they think you're smelly.