There are plenty of images floating around the internet of people skiing in cowboy hats. Former Olympian Billy Kidd helped make this look famous. Old images of skiers at western ski resorts display the popularity of this trend, particularly among the 50+ crowd.

The rise of ski helmets likely contributed to the decline of cowboy hats. That said, you can still observe the adventurous soul trying for this look in 2021. This is especially true in areas with a high number of Texans or oil barons.

Here at Unofficial Networks, we may not be qualified to judge matters of fashion, but a cowboy hat is simply not practical for skiing. A hat with a big wide brim would surely catch the wind and dislodge the hat. Sure, many of these hats have a string or leather strap to keep the had from flying off your head, but it would certainly dislodge at speed. How can you focus on straight-lining your favorite chute if your hat is bouncing around and the retaining strap is choking you?

One could assume that if you are skiing with a cowboy hat, you are more into the scene and style as opposed to chasing cold snow. Your ears are left totally exposed and could be subject to frostbite. Cowboy hat skiers are likely the kind of people who show up to the hill around 11:30 AM when things soften up. Wearing a cowboy hat at 8:30 AM when it’s 13-degrees out doesn’t seem like a viable option.

Next time you encounter a skier wearing a cowboy hat it might be nice to have a discussion on the matter. Maybe they might have some valuable insight that we have not considered.

Images from: Colorado Snowsports Museum Facebook Page, Steamboat Resort Facebook Page, Visit Colorado Facebook Page 

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