For some people, it doesn’t matter how tech-informed or well-researched today’s ski apparel is — nothing can replace the fashion of the “golden age of skiing” when skiers were decked out in neon from head-to-toe.
Sylvia Areny and her wife, Lise, are among those people. They’re the founders of the aptly-named One Piece Ski Suit Rentals, which rents retro ski gear to those looking to hit the slopes themselves and people hosting ski stagettes, bachelor parties, birthdays and even team-building corporate events.
After years of careful selection by Sylvia and hours of fine weaving and sewing by Lise, the pair have amassed a curated collection of more than 230 neon, one-piece suits and 150 jackets suitable for the slopes. There are also countless accessories for use as photo booth props like fanny packs, headbands, sunglasses, goggles, shot-skis and vintage skis. The one-piece suits range in size from kids to XXL and hail from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Standard suit rentals are $40 for up to five days while premium suits are $60 for a five-day rental (the 20 premium suits are extra bright and come in matching pairs and sets). All suit rentals require a deposit ($200 for standard suits and $300 for premium suits). Once customers have made a selection online, they contact One Piece by email to set up pick-up and drop-off appointments from the company’s Calgary location (or to arrange shipping outside of Calgary).
Finally, when donning your nostalgia-inducing neon number, there’s really only one rule to adhere to: make sure you don’t go near any campfires. Campfire smell, burn holes and other rips and tears will incur an additional fee. Propane fire pits are okay though, so après-ski drinks by a fire are still possible.
403-969-9261, onepieceskisuit.ca, @onepieceskisuit