Skiing’s 96-year-old miracle man | CNN

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Sports

Skiing’s 96-year-old miracle man

Updated 8:03 AM EST, Fri December 18, 2015
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Klaus Obermeyer is still going strong -- at the age of 96. The German-born entrepreneur counts skiing as his major passion.
Klaus Obermeyer is still going strong -- at the age of 96. The German-born entrepreneur counts skiing as his major passion.
Obermeyer moved to Aspen in Colorado in 1947 and soon set up his Sport Obermeyer company -- in the attic of his house.
Obermeyer moved to Aspen in Colorado in 1947 and soon set up his Sport Obermeyer company -- in the attic of his house.
Sport Obermeyer
He would teach at Aspen's ski school during the day then beaver away at night on his business ideas.
He would teach at Aspen's ski school during the day then beaver away at night on his business ideas.
Sport Obermeyer
One of his biggest inventions was the down parka, fashioned from a goose down comforter. Here he models it in 1964.
One of his biggest inventions was the down parka, fashioned from a goose down comforter. Here he models it in 1964.
Sport Obermeyer
His other inventions include the aluminum skiing pole, mirrored sunglasses and a suntan lotion that offered protection even at a high elevation.
His other inventions include the aluminum skiing pole, mirrored sunglasses and a suntan lotion that offered protection even at a high elevation.
Sport Obermeyer
The skiing turtle neck was another of Obermeyer's creations.
The skiing turtle neck was another of Obermeyer's creations.
Sport Obermeyer
"Most companies have copied us -- we were the first ones with so many things," Obermeyer told CNN's Alpine Edge show.
"Most companies have copied us -- we were the first ones with so many things," Obermeyer told CNN's Alpine Edge show.
Klaus Obermeyer
One of Obermeyer's mottos is: "Being old is not an excuse to be lazy." He can't be accused of that. He still tries to ski every day, though he probably can't replicate moves like this one from 1949.
One of Obermeyer's mottos is: "Being old is not an excuse to be lazy." He can't be accused of that. He still tries to ski every day, though he probably can't replicate moves like this one from 1949.
Obermeyer began skiing at an early age, this picture taken in 1922 when he was aged just three. He moved to Colorado before he was 30.
Obermeyer began skiing at an early age, this picture taken in 1922 when he was aged just three. He moved to Colorado before he was 30.
Obermeyer could have patented his many innovations, and made mountains of cash, but chose not to. "We love skiing and we want to share it with people," he explained. "You don't want to get hung up on money, you want to make things good."
Obermeyer could have patented his many innovations, and made mountains of cash, but chose not to. "We love skiing and we want to share it with people," he explained. "You don't want to get hung up on money, you want to make things good."
Sport Obermeyer

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