Skiing and Kilts

[Canuck]

If you put tiger balm on your middle (wee) knee you would disrupt the satsquatch mating season with all of your screams of agony going down the hill.

Exactly!!! Maybe I should stay in the chalet and have another wee dram to warm me knees up eh?

[Riverkilt]

Ozone,

Lots of good ideas...don't know if it would hedge the bet, but my thought would be to wear some knee protectors like the skate boarders, or gardners, or construction workers, or infantry does.

Seems like when skiing that the bare knees would take a lot of chill from breaking the wind at that level. Knee protectors would take the hit of the wind and help keep the front of your knees warmer.

Or baseball catcher's shin protectors with their knee guards. Point is to protect from the wind chill.

Never mind what you look like...win the bet! ;)

Ron

[ozone]

You guys are too cool for words! I cant believe the fast response. Well, I grabbed my gear and my wife says I dont look too ridiculous except for the helmet and goggles. So I guess I will dispense with those when the time comes. She had the bright idea of pulling the kilt hose farther up than usual and having just a wee bit of thermals showing betwixt the top of the knee and the edge of the kilt. I think I may have to go with thermals of some sort since it gets to -20 deg F at the top of the bowl. Dont worry, I want pictures of this event as well, so I will post them likely around January or February depending on conditions.

Incidentally, Ozone is the name of one of the runs at the bowl and it tops out at about a 44 deg angle.....lots of fun when there's powder and you arent too concerned about a controlled free-fall :-) Anyone interested in joining me is welcome to wander over to Colorado; we have a spare room.

[Graham]

STOP IT ROBERT, STOP IT, no more mention of leather kilts, I can't stand it, my head hurts, I'm going crazy.

Anyway, I've just spent $2000 on a guillotine and laminating machine for my business, no leather kilts for a while

[flyv65]

I've never ever been on ski's, but I think I would add it to my short list of things not to do in a kilt, along with motorbike riding, parachuting and bungie jumping.

.

Ahem. I had just finished washing my Honda Blackbird and decided to take a quick spin around the neighborhood to "blow dry" the bike. I geared up somewhat-helmet, gloves, yard boots, tank top and, (pregnant pause), my UK. I tucked the apron under, rolled down the driveway and then down the street.

If I might offer a word of advice: Tuck the back under if you're dressing Regimental (I forgot about the draft up the back...flipped the pleats up to my shoulder blades and scared the neighbors' kids).

Bryan...live and learn, eh?...

[GMan]

Ozone,

It has been several years since I have skied anywhere in Aspen, in fact it was BK (before kilt). That offer does sound tempting.

[James]

Suggest you read the memoirs of the late actor- David Niven-about skiing downhill in light stage ski kit-and fate of what he called his 'best friend'!

Back in 70's it was not unusual for instructors to ski kilted on Cairngorm; and there are those delightful fun pictures on the Austrian site.

But 12000 feet-and powder--I applaud your courage-but do think you should have continued taking the tablets!

For taking into account any wind chill as well as wind effect of skiiing: I;d suggest to hell with any tradition and wear normal ski kit under kilt.

Good luck.

James

[Hamish]

Like Graham, I have never been close to a pair of skis let alone been ON them and, of course, I know nothing of ski-ing. (Oh, sorry! I just remembered, I was in Whistler, and I did get to ride on the ski chair-lift up on Vancouver's Grouse Mountain - but these happened last month, August!!)

However, it seems to me that if one is going to wear long-johns/thermals/ski-tights or whatever under the kilt, there is little point in wearing the kilt when ski-ing in the first place!

Just the opinion of someone who lives in a part of the world that very seldom sees snow....

[JBfromBS]

Great idea Dreadbelly! In fact, any petroleum product should protect the knees from direct exposure to the cold air, and help prevent frost nip, but only for a fairly short time. The added benefit of the menthol in Tiger Balm should help some.

I personally would be very leery about putting something like that on my legs while kilted, it seems like it could possibly stain or damage your kilt where it would come into contact. But I hope you get a good method figured out, and we definitely need some pics when you do! Good luck!

Joe

[JackK]

With all the soft snow flying about while skiing powder I'd think that a few bits a tad higher up than your knees getting frozen should be more of a problem. I would think the leggings or tights would be the best approach. Than again spring skiing would be good, except for the corn snow rash being somewhat painfull.

Jack