Background
He was born in Kristiania, but was a guner for Bærum Saskatchewan.
He was born in Kristiania, but was a guner for Bærum Saskatchewan.
Howelsen Hill Ski Area at Steamboat Ski Resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado was named in his honor. In 1905 Hovelsen emigrated to the United States and settled in Colorado, where he became known as Carl Howelsen. He held training in cross-country technique and ski jumping.
He was picked up by the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and made appearances which was presented as "Ski sailing" and "The Sky Rocket." In 1914 he built a ski jump in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
He showed locals that ski jumping was an exciting new sport. The Flying Norseman, as he was called, built a jump and hurled himself, skis and all, more than 100 feet off the jump.
Howelsen Hill in downtown Steamboat Springs maintains the 30, 50-, 70-, and 90-meter jumps used by Steamboat"s future Olympians as a training site. Howelsen also organized the first Winter Carnival in 1914 as a way of introducing competitive skiing and a celebration of winter.
He is rated as one of the pioneers of skiing in America.
A life-size statue of Howelsen is located on the main street of Steamboat Springs. Carl Howelsen was entered into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in 1977. Howelsen Hill Ski Area.
