There was a time when neon ruled the slopes. When goggles came a poor second to Wayfarers. When a bomber jacket over skin tight leggings was the height of snow style, and the mighty one-piece was everywhere. Yes, the 1980s were a golden era of ski fashion – the louder the better.

John Cusack and Diane Franklin showing some 80s ski style in the classic ‘Better Off Dead’
We’re not going all the way back there – for example, you wouldn’t want to turn the clock back on some of the technical advancements in snow outerwear. Modern gear is generally better insulated and has more of the features you take for granted, from gaiters to goggle wipes. But just as the nu-rave thing is influencing streetwear, ’80s design is having something of a revival in ski and snowboard fashion. Whether it’s a neon jacket, a pair of tight pants or just a simple pair of ray-bans, channel your inner ’80s child and style it out. And if you’ve got the real thing, there’s never been a better time to wear it. Own that one-piece, we say.
Check out the slideshow for some of the best 80s looks in our Whistler hall of fame, both vintage originals and new gear.
Get the look:
Nikita Coldplay jacket – ’80s bad-taste print and bomber jacket detailing. Nothing whatsoever to do with overrated British rock bands.
Airblaster Freedom suit (flick through the catalogue to find it) – 21st century neon from the undisputed kings of lurid snowboard clothing. Particularly popular with the Korean crowd in Whistler.
Westbeach Thirty pants – limited edition ‘heritage’ design, looking back to the ’80s to celebrate the 30th birthday of the Canadian brand.
North Face Jitterbug jacket – ’80s colours and on-trend puffy shape.





















Call me traditional, but I think ski fashion means keeping warm and dry on the slopes whilst looking good – in that order of importance. Style matters, but never at the expense of basic performance – if you’re too cold, your ski day is going to be short and not so sweet. It’s a no-brainer, right?