Page 17 - Winter Park 75 Years

The Hot Sulphur Springs Winter Sports Carnival was such a success it was decided to hold another carnival six weeks later and commit to making it an annual event. Thus, Colorado’s
ski industry was born. Following the first annual Hot Sulphur Springs Winter Sports Carnival, mountain towns throughout
the state started ski clubs, erected ski jumps, and planned winter carnivals. The focus of this early winter industry would be Nordic ski events. Alpine skiing would not appear in Colorado for another ten years.
As enthusiasm for winter sports grew in Colorado, spectators and participants alike were transported to events in mountain towns increasingly by trains. The Moffat Road brought thousands of people over the Continental Divide to the winter carnivals in Hot Sulphur Springs and Steamboat Springs. Sprouting new ski clubs from throughout Colorado would send competitors and accomplished ski personalities from throughout the nation to slide on the perfect snow Howelson had discovered in the heart of the Rockies.
A crowd gathered at the 1912 Hot Sulphur Springs Winter Sports Carnival. Karl Howelson can be seen in the back row on the left holding his trophy cup and skis. GCHA
Thirteen-year- old Horace Button waits to catch the train to Steamboat Springs at the Hot Sulphur Springs train station in 1915. GCHA
THE GRAND BEGINNING 15