Thor and Gerald Groswold
Born in 1895 on a farm in Norway, Thor Groswold grew up on skis. He immigrated through Ellis Island in 1923 and soon moved to Denver to study business and accounting at the University of Denver. Five years later, he married Bernice Brandt, also a good skier and ski jumper with Norwegian heritage. During the Depression, Thor and Bernice raised two sons, Thor Jr., and Jerry. In 1932, his frustration with inadequate ski equipment led Thor to open his own business, the Thor Groswold Ski Company.
Thor did more than sell skis; he was a ski enthusiast who worked diligently to introduce the industry to Colorado. He was involved with establishing Ajax Mountain in Aspen, Monarch Ski area near Salida, Arapahoe Basin, Camp Hale, and the 10th Mountain Division. Thor was active in the Winter Park Ski Area launch and involved himself and his sons in helping clear some of the original trails.
Born in Denver and raised in Littleton, Jerry attended the University of Denver for his Bachelor's Degree, Juris Doctorate, and MBA. In 1975, Jerry continued the family legacy and took the helm as President and CEO of the Winter Park Recreational Association. During his tenure, he implemented major ski area expansions like the development of Mary Jane, and under his leadership, the resort grew from an annual average of 360,000 skiers to over 1 million.
Many significant contributions to the community can also be credited to Jerry. He was a leader in the creation of the Colorado Tourism Board. He was an initiator of the National Sports Center for the Disabled, which began in 1970 for a small group of Children’s Hospital patients with amputations and has evolved into the largest and most successful outdoor therapeutic recreation agency in the world.
Thor did more than sell skis; he was a ski enthusiast who worked diligently to introduce the industry to Colorado. He was involved with establishing Ajax Mountain in Aspen, Monarch Ski area near Salida, Arapahoe Basin, Camp Hale, and the 10th Mountain Division. Thor was active in the Winter Park Ski Area launch and involved himself and his sons in helping clear some of the original trails.
Born in Denver and raised in Littleton, Jerry attended the University of Denver for his Bachelor's Degree, Juris Doctorate, and MBA. In 1975, Jerry continued the family legacy and took the helm as President and CEO of the Winter Park Recreational Association. During his tenure, he implemented major ski area expansions like the development of Mary Jane, and under his leadership, the resort grew from an annual average of 360,000 skiers to over 1 million.
Many significant contributions to the community can also be credited to Jerry. He was a leader in the creation of the Colorado Tourism Board. He was an initiator of the National Sports Center for the Disabled, which began in 1970 for a small group of Children’s Hospital patients with amputations and has evolved into the largest and most successful outdoor therapeutic recreation agency in the world.