Why is That Tree Covered in Bras and Beads at the Ski Area? - SnowBrains

"Every ski resort seems to have that one tree covered in bras, beads, boots, panties, and whatever people choose to toss on it. Many refer to it as the "panty tree." There have been conflicting reports that debate when, where, and why panty trees came to be, so today, we must try to piece together the puzzle. Our earliest theory seems loosely backed by factual evidence and more so of a tall tale."

"To uncover the second theory, we will travel back to the 1980s, when the first panty tree was rumored to sit under the Bell Mountain lift on Aspen Mountain. This report comes from the veteran Aspen Mountain ski patroller Tim Cooney. As the story goes, someone threw a rather large bra onto the branch of an aspen tree under Lift 5 (the Bell Mountain chair)."

"At one time, the tree sported 40 to 50 bras and panties. Many believe it was a sign of rebellion, classic skiers fighting "the system." During that time, particular types of underwear were outrageous to others. Perhaps it was a message to the previously male-dominated ski industry that women are here to shred too. Ski patrol threatened to chop down the tree and revoke the ski passes of underwear/bra-shedding skiers."

Panty trees are trees at ski resorts decorated with bras, panties, beads, boots, and tossed items. One theory traces the practice to the 1960s as symbolic proof of conquest after nights out. A more documented origin places the first notable panty tree under Aspen Mountain's Bell Mountain lift in the 1980s, where a large bra bearing a vice president's name was tossed onto a branch. That tree held 40 to 50 garments and became a rebellious statement against the male-dominated ski industry. Ski patrol threatened removal; when the Bell Mountain chair was discontinued the original tree was cut down, but a new tree continued the tradition and the idea spread to resorts such as Vail.

Read at SnowBrains