This article is undated but it may have been written in the 1930s. The author, Myrtle A. Cook, was a renowned Canadian track and field athlete who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, winning gold in the team relay event with three team-mates. Cook turned to journalism after her athletic career and was a sports journalist for forty years, writing for the Montreal Star. She continued her involvement with international sport throughout her life, and was involved in eleven Olympic Games, first as a competitor, then as coach, manager and reporter.
Color and Romance for Ski Enthusiasts Fostered by Designers of Smart Costumes; Problem of What to Wear This Season Solved
By Myrtle A. Cook
Nature is beckoning with all its glorious winter trimmings. The ski minded turn to thoughts of what to wear.
A survey of the latest costumery for the enthusiasts of the gliding blades and a glance over the northern ski trail maps, will answer both questions.
Those who take their skiing merely as a recreation, perhaps with the idea of reducing the waist line or serving to introduce a very attractive ensemble to an admiring ski-partner, will have no difficulty in locating “just the thing” at any of the stores who help to sponsor skiing by operating a well stocked ski-shop for the convenience of the customers. There is a plenitude of new styles to please the girlish fancy as well as to satisfy the more conservative ideas of the male exponents.
Girls who like the autumn tinge of orange and brown will be delighted with a model noted in a window last week. It was a neatly tailored brown suit with smart buttons in leather, and orange beret-style hat, orange socks and scarf. It looked delightful through the glass. On a living model, it should be even more attractive. Another in navy with a smart grey swede (sic) belt and matching hat, struck one as being ultra chic. Reds, too, occupy the limelight this season and not a few startling models in bright green – enough to make the neighbors green with envy, perhaps. An all-white ensemble also showed promise of popularity with its added trimmings of zipper fastenings and contrasting black accessories.
Smart to the point of sophistication was another suit in the University of New York violet shade. It was tailored in a one-piece effect topped by an exceedingly tricky white woollen Peter Pan collar – something new and original in a ski costume and a model which as soon as it makes its debut outdoors, will immediately catch the eye of those within view.
Models and more models are ready for the pleasure-skiing girl. The real problem comes when the competitive enthusiast starts her hunt for equipment. It must be warm but light if she is to hike over the many hazardous trails without burdensome trappings in the shape of flying scarfs, hats that will not stay on and mits (sic) equally contrary. The girl who wishes to ski in competition must be as lightly clad as the weather will permit, thus she seeks a costume less weighty and in most cases, of a more sombre hue, although not necessarily without attraction.
One suit ostensibly for competition struck us as being entirely fitting for the purpose. It was a model of navy slacks, a white light woollen jersey blouse open at the neck, a red sash just to add a touch of color contrast. Most competitive skiers do not bother about a hat. Sometimes a bright band around the hair suffices, other times, nothing whatever is worn on the head. A light top coat went with the costume just described in case of a too stiff breeze. Without or without the top coat, this costume was very acceptable for competitive events, especially for slalom and downhill racing.
Another costume offered for consideration from a competitive angle was that in brown blanket cloth. It was a one piece affair with a zipper down the front. Although it presented comfort to the skier and is absolutely “snow tight”, it might easily offer a problem if the wearer happened to fall and be injured. Having to climb out of the entire suit in order to get to an injured member might cause delay where speed was essential in the best interests of first aid.
What to wear can be answered by a visit to the stores. Look all the costumes over. Find the one best suited to your tastes and skiing inclinations and then delve into the map marking the trails.
Where is the best ski country? The devotees all have their pet ski paradises. Opinions vary, but all will agree that there are many spots in the Laurentian range which are happy skiing grounds to all who wander there. Ski trails for the novice and trails for the experts who usually like them steep, not too straight, abound in and around this winter playground.
All through the Laurentian range can be found comfortable inns which cater to the comfort and desires of the skiers.
Having answered the question of what to wear, it only remains for the skier to don his or her suit of armor and sally forth in search of adventure.
The Laurentians beckon and promise interesting sport for all.
Source: The Canadian Ski Museum