1960's Instructor Jacket | Unofficial Gear Review

Before Squaw was blue they were purple, before they were purple they were blue...

Check out this Squaw Valley ski instructor jacket from the early 1960′s. Taking a look back at the technology available back in the day, it’s quite remarkable just how far we’ve come…and at the same time how far we haven’t. Just take a look, this jacket has a number of the most desirable features of the latest and greatest technical outerwear offered for 2013! (Albeit with much more sophisticated materials) The current instructor issued jackets have made such little headway, I think I’d prefer this1960′s jacket!

Technical Features:

Goose down – no synthetic materials here!
Powder belt to prevent upskirt snow
Drawstring for cold necks
Two pockets!

The original powder skirt

Technical outerwear was far ahead of it’s time in the early ’60′s. Who needs a powder skirt when you can have a powder strap?? This innovative feature both keeps the jacket from riding up and (somewhat) keeps the snow from getting in. Also note the close knit insulated inside - keeping things warm but light at the same time!

The original Squaw logo

Hate the new Squaw logo? Me too. But I must admit, I think KSL needs to look to Squaw’s heritage and bring back the original logo above…The thing resembles more a portrait than a logo and quite simply makes me want to get out there and go ski.

Of course the collar includes a draw string in order to keep that neck warm when the weather gets inclement. Forget about the new wave BOA draw string system or synthetic elastic cord…the post-olympics pre-Vietnam instructors implemented the rough and ready braided wool…something that won’t snap on you, get bound up, or ever malfunction.

The premiere supplier of outerwear

What do y’all think? Is this jacket ahead of it’s time or what?? Goose down insulation keeping things light, waterproof layering, dual pockets for carrying at least your chap stick, along with a plethora of other features. The original Squaw Valley jacket was and possibly still is THE jacket to have!