12/02/2025
Happy 106th Birthday to the legendary Klaus Obermeyer!
Born December 2, 1919, Klaus has been shaping the ski world for more than a century with his creativity, innovation, and unmistakable mountain spirit.
Long before Obermeyer became a cornerstone of ski apparel, Klaus was a young boy in Bavaria, hand-making koogie pom-pom ties, colorful yarn ties worn by early skiers in the 1920s. That simple tradition followed him to Aspen in 1947, where he taught skiing for Friedl Pfeifer and, during the slow season, began selling those same pom-pom ties to local shops.
A few dozen hand-tied orders turned into hundreds, and even Hollywood icon Gary Cooper insisted on paying retail for one. That humble tie became the very first Obermeyer product, and the beginning of a brand that would go on to transform ski apparel forever.
Today, at 106, Klaus remains a symbol of innovation, passion, and joy in the sport. His legacy lives on not only through Obermeyer’s groundbreaking gear, but through his lifelong dedication to skiing’s culture and community.
We’re also proud to celebrate Obermeyer as a long-time sponsor of ISHA, supporting our mission to preserve and share the rich history of our sport.
Learn more about Klaus’s early story here:
https://www.skiinghistory.org/online-magazine/letters-klaus-luggi-stein-and-kokanee-glacier?check_logged_in=1
Happy Birthday Klaus!
