With April 1 approaching, skiers and snowboarders worldwide are preparing for the biggest day of the year—Gaper Day.
What is Gaper Day?
“Gaper” alludes to the gap between your helmet’s bottom and the goggle’s top. The bigger the gap, the bigger “Gaper” you are. Sometimes, Gapers are also referred to as Jerries or someone who is acting like a big goof. People with big forehead gaps between the helmet and goggles are designated as Gapers because they look somewhat goofy with a Gaper gap. Another explanation is the acronym “Guaranteed Accident Prone on Every Run.”
The origins can be traced back to the 80s and 90s when the typical final ski season day for most resorts was April 1. In this period, the holiday was called “Ski in Jeans Day.” Ski junkies and beginners began to hop on the trend of skiing in jeans, and the holiday grew in popularity. As the tradition evolved, jeans gave way to retro outfits and costumes, officially transforming into Gaper Day around 1996.
Today, Gaper Day has become a rite of passage for mountain town residents and visitors. Participants embrace the spirit of silliness, donning everything from neon wigs and retro ski gear to shorts and even speedos. The goal is simple: look as ridiculous as possible while having the time of your life on the mountain.
Many renowned ski resorts across North America have embraced this quirky tradition. Jackson Hole in Wyoming has become synonymous with Gaper Day celebrations, often coinciding with its Rendezvous Festival. Other popular destinations include Arapahoe Basin, Brighton, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Park City, Steamboat, Vail, and Whistler Blackcomb.
The appeal of Gaper Day lies in its ability to bring together skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels in a judgment-free environment. Everyone is encouraged to embrace their inner gaper for one day regardless of their abilities on the slopes. It’s a chance to let loose, try new things, and celebrate the end of another successful ski season, usually in the sunshine.
Skiers have very much embraced the goofball mentality of Gaper Day by:
- Dressing in jeans
- Wearing 80s-inspired ski clothes
- Sporting massive gaper gaps
- Drinking enough to let the true inner gaper out of its shell
How Do I Participate?
It’s easy to participate in Gaper Day. All you need is a wacky outfit, a group of friends, and a willingness to embrace the absurd. Many use this opportunity to swap their usual gear, trying out snowboards or vintage snow blades for added hilarity.
That’s it!
On Instagram, #GaperDay is already going viral. People from all over the world are posting with the hashtag to prepare for April 1. Undoubtedly, any ski resort near you will have some Gaper Day celebrations.
As Gaper Day continues to grow in popularity, it has become more than just a day of skiing in ridiculous outfits. It’s a celebration of mountain culture, a way to poke fun at the sometimes-serious world of skiing, and a chance to create lasting memories with friends.
To join in on the fun, you must show up and be a menace for the day. For skiers and snowboarders, this is not a challenging task!
While the tradition remains strong, it’s worth noting that some resorts have begun to distance themselves from the official “Gaper Day” moniker due to concerns about promoting irresponsible behavior. However, the event’s spirit lives on, with many skiers and snowboarders continuing to celebrate in their unique ways.
Makes total sense.
We make fun of others who don’t dress or act like “we” do. Then on April 1st we encourage everyone to dress like these fools, get drunk & tear up the mountain with your friends. If every resort is having a “make fun of others day” I’m all in. We all know that I’m WAY better than you at making fun of others. I’m going sledding, skiing and the lifestyle has been ruined by this type of shit.
I realize my OCD is showing, but it should be spelled Gapper, like rapper. Not Gaper like a raper.