Curating a vast collection of ski paraphernalia is a labor of love – as well as good business.
In 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter unearthed one of the most astonishing treasures the world had seen – the tomb of King Tut. As Carter peered into the dusty 3,000-year-old Egyptian burial chamber, his benefactor Lord Carnarvon anxiously asked the million-dollar question.
Do you see anything?
Yes, replied the awestruck Carter. Wonderful things!
This is rather what a visit to Vintage Ski World in Carbondale, Colorado feels like — a fantastical voyage through time and space where you can touch, see, and even purchase the wonderful things that span the sport’s golden ages.
Vintage Ski World’s owner and chief curator Richard Allen is something of a swashbuckling ski junkie. More Indiana Jones than Howard Carter, tales of his Rocky Mountain skiing exploits and treasure-hunting adventures date back to the 1950s.
“Over the years, I’ve amassed one of the largest collections of ski equipment and memorabilia in the world. This includes over a thousand pairs of skis and more than 10,000 pieces of vintage ski clothing, accessories, and works of art,” says Allen proudly.
Part brick-and-mortar boutique, part online shop, part museum, Vintage Ski World is a jaw-dropping storehouse of ski history. From 150-year-old handmade wooden Scandinavian skis, to Willy Bogner Senior’s outfit from the 1936 Winter Olympics framed in a shadowbox direct from Germany’s Bogner Museum, to an original Aspen 1970s watercolor by acclaimed American painter Cecile Johnson – nearly anything and everything for the ski enthusiast can be found in this alpine Aladdin’s cave.
“We also have old snowshoes, vintage Snurfers, and shot skis for sale. In two lockers next door we have 10,000 pieces of vintage clothing with all the accessories including scarfs, hats, gloves, knicker socks, goggles, and sunglasses. We even have vintage 1970s Killy Bolle mirrored sunglasses and the bubble goggles made famous by James Bond in Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” says Allen.
Almost the entire collection of alpine clothing and equipment is for sale. On occasion, it’s also available for hire. Vintage Ski World has been Hollywood’s go-to ski rental shop for years.
“One of our biggest rental contracts was providing the film Hot Tub Time Machine with most of its wardrobe and equipment, which was such a fun collaboration. Another of my favorite rental projects was working with HBO’s Mad Men, for which we did two episodes. One was a scene where Don Draper’s ad agency had picked Howard Head as an account. We supplied them with two pairs of unmounted Head skis. The other was providing clothing and boots for an episode that involved a ski trip where the family had all the ski clothing and boots on the kitchen table getting ready to go to Aspen,” says Allen.
The shop’s eye-catching alpine artifacts also attract the attentions of big players in the fashion world, including mega-brands like Ralph Lauren.
“We love to collaborate with companies like Polo Ralph Lauren, who regularly rent or purchase items for their ads or their window displays. For a time, every time Abercrombie opened a new store, they would purchase over 20 skis and snowshoes for display and props for that location,” says Allen.
After 47 years of collecting, Allen says managing Vintage Ski World is now his prime focus, leaving the treasure-hunting aspect to a group of elite pickers and antique dealers across the United States and Europe. Staying put also gives Allen time to reflect on what pushed him to make retail skiing his labor of love and life’s work.
“I have always been drawn to the old wood skis. The craftsmanship as well as the patina always got my attention. These old skis were handmade by master carpenters out of beautiful woods like hickory, pine, maple, and ash. My customers also seem to have a fond connection and memories of their old equipment. When they see equipment that they previously owned in our showroom museum, they light up and smile. We get to hear so many stories about people’s fond memories of skiing with their families and friends, and this provides me with a connection that is very special,” says Allen.
“Some folks come to find their favorite vintage ski patches, pins, and stickers from ski areas they enjoyed. Others are excited to find posters and photos of the past they thought were long gone, but now they can decorate their homes with images they remember with special meaning. Hey, you know what they say: One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” Allen adds with a grin.
