A winter wonderland on the nursery slopes is captured in this beautiful clip from 1931. Josephine Patricia Campbell, known as Pat (who married John Dermot Campbell in 1930) is part of the group, lining up at an idyllic resort. Many of the group are wearing tweed suits for skiing and even the ladies are wearing ties. 

The film was probably shot by John Dermot Campbell and it is part of the Campbell Family Collection.

A shift from cross-country to downhill skiing in the 1880s made the Alps the new centre of the skiing world. The adrenaline rush of gliding down a mountainside had more appeal that skiing across level terrain for many. In 1924, the first Winter Olympics were held in France and by the late 20’s skiing, a sport of the European elite till at this point, was growing in popularity.

Much like today, ski fashion was a big element of the sport for many, especially as skiing gained popularity and ski clothing hit fashion magazines. Women began wearing trousers similar to those worn by men, and many attribute the development of ‘sport clothing’ to women’s trousers becoming the norm today.

There are several skiing clips within the Campbell Family Collection.