Tourfolio

There are many ski myths and folklore that give rise to the Great North American Bra Trees. Some people argue that began as a panty tree and evolved into a bra tree. Other people argue that it began on Chair 4 at Vail Mountain. Those that don’t agree with Vail say it started on the Bell Mountain Chair at Aspen. While all of this is still debated within the skiing community, the important thing you are probably wondering is; Why do these trees exist? and how do undergarments end up on the tree?

Flickr.com (glennharper)

History of the Bra Tree

A ‘bra tree‘ is usually a single tree found at a ski resort with all sorts of colored lace and sport bras. The start of the bra tree is debated between within the skiing community as well as if the panty came before the bra (similar to the chicken or the egg). The most common theory is that the bra (or panty) tree was started as a trophy mantle of sorts for local male skiers to collect a prized undergarment from a ski bunny after some heavy after skiing apres drinking in the 1960s and 1970s. I can’t argue the fact that some – well most – men are pigs as we do brag about our female conquests. So why not have a tree that can collect these so the stories can be told for years to come as we ride on the chairlifts with friends? Makes sense to me! The other somewhat fun way that bras end up on trees is to have daring girls rip their own bras off in-front of their friends to add to the collection. Now how do these bras actually get on the trees so it doesn’t look too awkward? These bra trees ‘grow’ in areas that are accessible by chairlift, meaning that the tree must be directly next to or under a chairlift so;
(a) A girl can easily rip her bra off with ’some privacy’ and slingshot it into the trees; or
(b) A guy can quickly rip out the bra and throw it onto the trees as he laughs at his friends who are weeping in jealously.

Environmental Issues with Bra Trees

While many of skiers and snowboarders might enjoy these bra trees, there are some that don’t. As most ski resorts reside within U.S. National Forests, some park rangers argue that flashy colored bras with shiny objects can keep birds from nesting in trees. Others argue that these bras take away from the natural beauty of the local environs – the snow covered trees, the mountains peaks and the winter animals. I leave it up to you readers to see if you approve or disapprove of these decorated trees.

Flickr.com (Giorgio Constantine)

Ski Resort Bra Tree Locations

For those looking to add to the collection of bras to a nearby bra tree, look no further. I’ve put together a quick list of the locations of each bra tree that I’ve been told about in North America. If I’m wrong or missing any, please feel free to leave a comment below. They are as follows;

• Alta, UT – Supreme Lift
• Breckenridge, CO – Falcon Lift
• Camelback, PA – Stevenson Express
• Copper Mountain, CO – American Flyer
• Crested Butte, CO – Keystone Quad
• Jackson Hole, WY – Apres Vous Chair
• Killington, VT – Skye Peak Quad
• Mammoth, CO – Chair 5 Triple
• Mount Snow, VT – Northface Challenger
• Snowbird, UT – Gadzoom Express Chair
• Steamboat Springs, CO – Storm Peak Express
• Vail, CO – Orient Express Lift (in China Bowl)

Disclaimer: This is for the male readers. Please note that there is nothing attractive with mens underwear so please refrain from throwing your clothing on these trees covered in sexy lingerie. Thank you!

Want to share your theories of the bra tree? Or do you have any hilarious stories relating to the bra tree? Let us hear it!