Page 15 - Winter Park 75 Years

Gothic, Silverton, Grand Lake, and Gunnison. Regardless, as the wintertime populations of these towns dwindled, so too did their snow sports. The contests held in the deep snows of Colorado’s mountains were local events and by the 1890s, little attention was given to the sport of skiing in Colorado. It was not until 1911 that the sport would capture the attention of Coloradans and become a serious draw for tourists in the western United States.
In October 1911, under the guidance of Swiss immigrant John Peyer, the citizens of Hot Sulphur Springs began planning a winter sports carnival to be held in their town in December. Taking advantage of the railroad connection Hot Sulphur Springs had since 1905, it was hoped the summer resort town could bring guests to its empty hotels and restaurants in the winter. At that time the railroad climbed perilously over the Continental Divide, crossing at
Left: Karl Howelson is on the far left. GCHA
Top right: Karl Howelson ski jumping at the 1912 Hot Sulphur Springs Winter Sports Carnival. GCHA
Bottom right: John Peyer on a sled at the 1912 Hot Sulphur Springs Winter Sports Carnival. GCHA
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