Klaus Obermeyer Turns 98 Years Old

A big Happy Birthday goes out to Klaus Obermeyer, the iconic ski industry legend and founder of Sport Obermeyer, who turns a whopping 98 years old this Saturday, December 2.

Born in 1919 in the small Bavarian village of Oberstaufen, Germany, on a remote farm where he learned early on that everything can be put to use, Klaus fashioned his first pair of skis out of thin, flexible chestnut slats from an orange crate at the age of three. He made his way to United States in 1947 and became a ski school instructor in Aspen, Colo. It was this job that led to the founding of Sport Obermeyer.

Klaus still resides at his ranch on the Roaring Fork River and reportedly comes to work seven days a week, swims a half mile each day, skis all winter, plays tennis, practices Aikido, and has a smile and hello for everyone he meets.

Happy Birthday Klaus, and many more.

1950’s-Klaus modeling 1st down parka