Dane Campbell, 14, is decked out in slender-fitting retro-plaid pants and even groovier circle-frame glasses that would make John Lennon proud.
He is also about to strap into a snowboard and ride the runs at Eldora Ski Resort.
Call it the best in ski fashion of years passed, or just a good time, the third annual Boulder History Museum Retro Ski Day brought three dozen “cool” skiers to Eldora on Saturday.
Skiers in everything from faux Afros to DayGlo pants enjoyed giveaways, a costume contest and music.
“It’s a celebration of dressing groovy and the old roots of skiing,” said Chris Loven, 42, who had on oversize sunglasses. “I am trying to target the ’70s, but I’ve seen stuff from the ’80s and even early ’90s — including the old straight-edge skis.”
Others, such as Dane, who are only old enough to remember the DayGlo ski attire from the early 1990s, had to borrow their parents’ old ski clothes.
“These (plaid pants) are my mom’s,” Dane said. “I hope she didn’t wear this skiing, even though I like to dress funny (while) ‘boarding.”
Retro Ski Day was not just about silly colors or out-of-date skis, it was about history.
“The Boulder History Museum wants to show people that we are not like your grandmother’s attic. We have up-to-date exhibits,” said Julie Schumaker, the museum’s curator of exhibits.
“An event like this, in such a family-oriented place like the Eldora Ski Resort, is a great way to show you can have fun with history.”
At the museum’s booth near the ticket office, children were answering Boulder trivia questions in exchange for a free pass to the museum — a pass museum directors hope will build greater interest in the museum and in Boulder history.
Dane walked away with one of the day’s top honors. In an informal vote by applause, he was voted the day’s most grooviest kid.
While Dane said it was fun ‘boarding retro, he missed some of the conveniences of the modern snowboarder.
“I am just glad it was nice today because these pants aren’t very warm,” he said.
Anna Haislip: 303-954-1638 or ahaislip@denverpost.com
