Skiers have been throwing underwear into trees since the 1950s

Ever spotted a tree mysteriously draped in underwear and wondered if you've stumbled upon nature's laundry day? You're actually looking at what skiers affectionately call a "panty tree" – a quirky mountain tradition that transforms ordinary evergreens into textile sculptures.

These unusual displays aren't naturally occurring phenomena. Instead, they're created by mischievous skiers who toss undergarments from chairlifts onto the branches below. According to a ski patroller from Aspen, Colorado, one of the first famous panty trees appeared beneath the Bell Mountain ski lift at Aspen Mountain during the 1980s. However, this cheeky chairlift custom may date back to the 1950s, making it a decades-old skiing tradition.

While the practice technically constitutes littering, many find these acci