15 ’80s Ski Resort Trends That Have Melted Away
Here are 15 once-iconic ‘80s ski resort trends that were cool on the slopes but have since disappeared from the winter scene.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
The 1980s brought a burst of boldness and eccentricity to ski culture, from neon ski suits to disco-fueled après-ski parties. While these trends helped define an era, most have vanished with changes in technology, fashion, and social norms. Today’s resorts may be sleeker and more efficient, but they’ve lost some of the quirky charm that made the ‘80s ski scene unforgettable.
1. Day-Glo Ski Suits
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Back in the 1980s, neon ski suits were everywhere on the slopes. Brands like Descente and Nevica lit up Aspen and Tahoe with electric pinks, greens, and yellows. Today, those bold colors are more retro costumes than performance wear, replaced by muted technical gear.
2. Hot Dog Skiing
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Also known as freestyle skiing, hot-dogging featured tricks, flips, and flashy stunts before the sport was formally organized. Competitions in places like Squaw Valley drew big crowds, with skiers rocking tight pants and headbands. Now, the style lives on only in YouTube montages and the early roots of Olympic freestyle skiing.
3. Après-Ski Disco Nights
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Après-ski in the 1980s meant shoulder pads, fog machines, and Donna Summer blaring through chalet speakers. Resorts like Stowe and Vail hosted neon-lit discos where ski boots stayed on and fondue flowed. Today’s après scene leans more toward craft cocktails and acoustic sets than dancefloor glitter.
4. Ski Ballet
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This niche sport combined skiing with figure skating and dance, performed to music on gentle slopes. It was even a demonstration sport at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Though mesmerizing in its time, it faded by the late ‘90s, leaving behind VHS tapes and a handful of nostalgic fans.
5. CB Radio Ski Communication
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Before cell phones and walkie-talkies, groups of skiers kept in touch with CB radios. It wasn’t unusual to hear “Breaker 1-9” echoing from someone’s fanny pack in Snowbird or Killington. These days, apps and Bluetooth headsets have replaced the static-filled squawk boxes.
6. Mogul Mania
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In the 1980s, mogul skiing was a rite of passage, with resorts shaping giant fields of tightly packed bumps for thrill-seekers. Resorts like Mary Jane in Colorado became famous for them. Now, fewer skiers take on the punishment of the moguls, and terrain parks have taken over as the daredevil zone.
7. Retro Ski Pins and Patches
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Skiers used to decorate their jackets with enamel pins and embroidered patches from every resort they visited. It was a way to wear your ski resume on your sleeve, quite literally. These days, digital check-ins and Instagram geotags have taken over that role.
8. Pastel Rental Gear
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Rental shops in the ‘80s were stocked with clunky boots and pastel skis in colors like lavender and baby blue. Names like Olin and Hart were printed in cursive across the tops. Modern rentals focus on performance over fashion, and those pastel relics have mostly been retired to garage sales.
9. Swatch Watches and Lift Tickets on Zippers
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Every cool skier in the ‘80s wore a chunky Swatch watch and clipped their lift ticket to their jacket zipper. The lift ticket would flap in the wind as they sped downhill. With RFID and mobile passes now standard, zipper-flap culture is mostly gone.
10. One-Piece Snowsuits
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Stylish yet impractical, the one-piece suit made getting dressed for the slopes easy, but bathroom breaks were a nightmare. Brands like Bogner and Obermeyer sold them in metallics and geometric patterns. Today’s skiers prefer the flexibility of separates and more breathable fabrics.
11. Cheesy Ski Lodge Arcade Rooms
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Ski lodges in the ‘80s often had small arcade rooms with games like Galaga, Pac-Man, and Pole Position. It was the go-to hangout for kids while parents nursed hot toddies. Now, most lodges focus on spas or lounges, and arcades have largely disappeared.
12. Bubble Chairs Without Covers
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Many early bubble chairs offered little more than the novelty of their rounded design, with no weather shielding or insulation. They looked futuristic but were icy and uncomfortable on windy rides up. Modern bubble chairs come with heated seats and actual protective domes, making these early versions obsolete.
13. Cigarette Breaks on the Slopes
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It wasn’t unusual to see skiers light up on the chairlift or take a smoke break mid-run, especially in Europe. Cigarette ads even featured skiers as symbols of rugged cool. As health awareness grew and smoking bans swept in, this once-common habit became taboo.
14. VHS Ski Instruction Videos
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Before YouTube tutorials and GoPros, skiers learned techniques from VHS tapes by instructors like Lito Tejada-Flores. These tapes were sold at ski shops and sometimes played in lodge lobbies. Now, online content has taken over, and VHS is strictly for collectors.
15. Ski-In Movie Nights
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Some resorts hosted ski-in outdoor movie screenings, where skiers would huddle in snow gear to watch films on temporary screens. Popular in the ‘80s for family nights or spring events, they offered a unique mountain experience. With stricter safety rules and changing tastes, these gatherings faded out.