Oh, and I also know one tele-skier here who used kneepads as a way to keep his legs warm when caught in a snowshower wearing shorts, but there are better ways to keep warm.
It actually works quite well. And in colder weather, the knee pads over the long johns (but under pants, not shorts!) add a degree or two to the comfort zone.
I also like kneepads for the ability to sit kneeling in wet snow or slush without getting more than an outer layer wet. Better than sitting on my pack. So I wear them sometimes for snowboarding too.
I don't always wear them. I have kicked myself in the knee during a fall once or twice, and it hurts less with knee pads.
