Last weekend, the "celebrities" were town for some race event called the American Ski Classic. Only the celebrities were of a lower grade this season for some reason. There were ski legends like Billy Kidd and Klaus Obermeyer (pictured right), but no real stars of note unless you count Bobby Kennedy, jr. For whatever reason, the Classic is off the celebrity map this year.

Saying that, it was very cool to see Klaus Obermeyer ski. Mr. Obermeyer is a skiing pioneer (see the box below). I saw him and a few of his racing colleagues on Saturday morning when I played hooky from work to catch 45 minutes or so of the races at Golden Peak. I was right on the course taking picture. It was amazing to be that close to skiers going that fast. Some of the better racers, the ones ripping through all the gates, were skiing by so fast they would litterally blow by me. Mr. Obermeyer, being in 80s, didn't blow by anybody but he was still impressive and an inspiration to everyone in attendance. I'd like to be able to walk without assistance when I'm 80 not to mention strapping on a pair of skiis and be able to hold my own in a handicap race.

Bavarian born Klaus Obermeyer started skiing on homemade runners, made from a wooden citrus crate at age three. He became an engineer in automobile and aircraft manufacturing but escaped Nazi Germany in 1947 and came to America. He arrived in Aspen, via Sun Valley and through various travels with movie mogul Warren Miller, where he initially taught skiing for $10 per day for Friedl Pfeifer.

He soon discovered his students were uncomfortable with the quality of their clothing, sun glasses and lack of sunscreen, and quickly developed ski products such as the down parka and a line of revolutionary ski clothing that has remained at the top of the market for the past 50 years. His passion for quality and public relations has resulted in a multi-million dollar company, still under his leadership at 77 years of age.

He was awarded the distinguished Halva International Skiing Award in 1996 for his outstanding contribution to skiing.

from Colorado Ski Museum - Ski Hall of Fame