Carl Hovelsen is the legendary Norwegian skier whose athletic career is highlighted at the age of 26 by his performances at the Holmenkollen Ski Festival in 1903. In this national competition Carl won the 50k Nordic Ski event and also the Nordic Combined. For these victories he was awarded the Holmenkollen Medal as the outstanding athlete of the tournament.
He emigrated to the United States in May of 1905, landing in New York on Jun 2, and then continuing on to settle in Chicago. During his stay there Carl became connected with Barnum and Bailey Circus which promoted his "Ski Sailing" demonstrations as "The Perilous Scandinavian Winter Sport". He was billed as "Capt. Carl Howelsen" and "The Flying Norseman". In 1907 these exhibitions were seen by over four million people during the circus' nationwide tour, including shows at Madison Square Garden in NY. Carl would also co-found the Norge Ski Club in the Chicago suburb of Fox River Grove. This club celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005 and continues to train young skiers in the sport of ski jumping.
In 1909 Carl headed west, longing for terrain that would accommodate his love of the outdoors and winter skiing activities. He first settled in Denver, CO, and while visiting the small mountain towns with friends, he came upon the area of Steamboat Springs in 1913. Taken by the deep snowfall and the beauty of the mountains, Carl would stay in this location for the next nine years. He organized the first Winter Carnival in 1914 to bring the joy of recreational skiing to all who attended. His enthusiasm for skiing would influence many people to take to the slopes, and began an annual event that celebrated its 98th year in 2011.
Carl's passion for ski jumping would prompt him to oversee the construction of a ski jump in Steamboat in 1915. Christened "Howelsen Hill" in 1917, many of the world's longest jumps occur on this hill over the next several years. Today, this facility has seven jumps and is used to train the US Olympic ski team. Over many years the surrounding area would become a ski complex, including Nordic and Alpine ski trails, a terrain park and an ice arena. Also in 1915, Carl helped establish the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Dedicated to training junior and adult skiers, this club has produced many Olympians.
In the fall of 1921 Carl returned to Norway to visit his aging parents. He was married to Anna Skarstrom in 1922 and would become a proud father the following year. Content to be close to his family, and the skiing traditions of his homeland, Carl remained in Norway until his death in 1955. He would continue to ski jump until 1948 at the age of 71.
On February 6th, 2009 the City of Steamboat Springs unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Carl Howelsen in honor of his many contributions to the area. In 2010, US Winter Olympians, Bill Demong and Johnny Spillane decorated Carl's statue with their medals upon their triumphant return from Vancouver. This statue can be found at Howelsen Place, at the corner of Lincoln and Seventh in downtown Steamboat.
He emigrated to the United States in May of 1905, landing in New York on Jun 2, and then continuing on to settle in Chicago. During his stay there Carl became connected with Barnum and Bailey Circus which promoted his "Ski Sailing" demonstrations as "The Perilous Scandinavian Winter Sport". He was billed as "Capt. Carl Howelsen" and "The Flying Norseman". In 1907 these exhibitions were seen by over four million people during the circus' nationwide tour, including shows at Madison Square Garden in NY. Carl would also co-found the Norge Ski Club in the Chicago suburb of Fox River Grove. This club celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005 and continues to train young skiers in the sport of ski jumping.
In 1909 Carl headed west, longing for terrain that would accommodate his love of the outdoors and winter skiing activities. He first settled in Denver, CO, and while visiting the small mountain towns with friends, he came upon the area of Steamboat Springs in 1913. Taken by the deep snowfall and the beauty of the mountains, Carl would stay in this location for the next nine years. He organized the first Winter Carnival in 1914 to bring the joy of recreational skiing to all who attended. His enthusiasm for skiing would influence many people to take to the slopes, and began an annual event that celebrated its 98th year in 2011.
Carl's passion for ski jumping would prompt him to oversee the construction of a ski jump in Steamboat in 1915. Christened "Howelsen Hill" in 1917, many of the world's longest jumps occur on this hill over the next several years. Today, this facility has seven jumps and is used to train the US Olympic ski team. Over many years the surrounding area would become a ski complex, including Nordic and Alpine ski trails, a terrain park and an ice arena. Also in 1915, Carl helped establish the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Dedicated to training junior and adult skiers, this club has produced many Olympians.
In the fall of 1921 Carl returned to Norway to visit his aging parents. He was married to Anna Skarstrom in 1922 and would become a proud father the following year. Content to be close to his family, and the skiing traditions of his homeland, Carl remained in Norway until his death in 1955. He would continue to ski jump until 1948 at the age of 71.
On February 6th, 2009 the City of Steamboat Springs unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Carl Howelsen in honor of his many contributions to the area. In 2010, US Winter Olympians, Bill Demong and Johnny Spillane decorated Carl's statue with their medals upon their triumphant return from Vancouver. This statue can be found at Howelsen Place, at the corner of Lincoln and Seventh in downtown Steamboat.
Carl Hovelsen is the legendary Norwegian skier whose athletic career is highlighted at the age of 26 by his performances at the Holmenkollen Ski Festival in 1903. In this national competition Carl won the 50k Nordic Ski event and also the Nordic Combined. For these victories he was awarded the Holmenkollen Medal as the outstanding athlete of the tournament.
He emigrated to the United States in May of 1905, landing in New York on Jun 2, and then continuing on to settle in Chicago. During his stay there Carl became connected with Barnum and Bailey Circus which promoted his "Ski Sailing" demonstrations as "The Perilous Scandinavian Winter Sport". He was billed as "Capt. Carl Howelsen" and "The Flying Norseman". In 1907 these exhibitions were seen by over four million people during the circus' nationwide tour, including shows at Madison Square Garden in NY. Carl would also co-found the Norge Ski Club in the Chicago suburb of Fox River Grove. This club celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005 and continues to train young skiers in the sport of ski jumping.
In 1909 Carl headed west, longing for terrain that would accommodate his love of the outdoors and winter skiing activities. He first settled in Denver, CO, and while visiting the small mountain towns with friends, he came upon the area of Steamboat Springs in 1913. Taken by the deep snowfall and the beauty of the mountains, Carl would stay in this location for the next nine years. He organized the first Winter Carnival in 1914 to bring the joy of recreational skiing to all who attended. His enthusiasm for skiing would influence many people to take to the slopes, and began an annual event that celebrated its 98th year in 2011.
Carl's passion for ski jumping would prompt him to oversee the construction of a ski jump in Steamboat in 1915. Christened "Howelsen Hill" in 1917, many of the world's longest jumps occur on this hill over the next several years. Today, this facility has seven jumps and is used to train the US Olympic ski team. Over many years the surrounding area would become a ski complex, including Nordic and Alpine ski trails, a terrain park and an ice arena. Also in 1915, Carl helped establish the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Dedicated to training junior and adult skiers, this club has produced many Olympians.
In the fall of 1921 Carl returned to Norway to visit his aging parents. He was married to Anna Skarstrom in 1922 and would become a proud father the following year. Content to be close to his family, and the skiing traditions of his homeland, Carl remained in Norway until his death in 1955. He would continue to ski jump until 1948 at the age of 71.
On February 6th, 2009 the City of Steamboat Springs unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Carl Howelsen in honor of his many contributions to the area. In 2010, US Winter Olympians, Bill Demong and Johnny Spillane decorated Carl's statue with their medals upon their triumphant return from Vancouver. This statue can be found at Howelsen Place, at the corner of Lincoln and Seventh in downtown Steamboat.
He emigrated to the United States in May of 1905, landing in New York on Jun 2, and then continuing on to settle in Chicago. During his stay there Carl became connected with Barnum and Bailey Circus which promoted his "Ski Sailing" demonstrations as "The Perilous Scandinavian Winter Sport". He was billed as "Capt. Carl Howelsen" and "The Flying Norseman". In 1907 these exhibitions were seen by over four million people during the circus' nationwide tour, including shows at Madison Square Garden in NY. Carl would also co-found the Norge Ski Club in the Chicago suburb of Fox River Grove. This club celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005 and continues to train young skiers in the sport of ski jumping.
In 1909 Carl headed west, longing for terrain that would accommodate his love of the outdoors and winter skiing activities. He first settled in Denver, CO, and while visiting the small mountain towns with friends, he came upon the area of Steamboat Springs in 1913. Taken by the deep snowfall and the beauty of the mountains, Carl would stay in this location for the next nine years. He organized the first Winter Carnival in 1914 to bring the joy of recreational skiing to all who attended. His enthusiasm for skiing would influence many people to take to the slopes, and began an annual event that celebrated its 98th year in 2011.
Carl's passion for ski jumping would prompt him to oversee the construction of a ski jump in Steamboat in 1915. Christened "Howelsen Hill" in 1917, many of the world's longest jumps occur on this hill over the next several years. Today, this facility has seven jumps and is used to train the US Olympic ski team. Over many years the surrounding area would become a ski complex, including Nordic and Alpine ski trails, a terrain park and an ice arena. Also in 1915, Carl helped establish the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Dedicated to training junior and adult skiers, this club has produced many Olympians.
In the fall of 1921 Carl returned to Norway to visit his aging parents. He was married to Anna Skarstrom in 1922 and would become a proud father the following year. Content to be close to his family, and the skiing traditions of his homeland, Carl remained in Norway until his death in 1955. He would continue to ski jump until 1948 at the age of 71.
On February 6th, 2009 the City of Steamboat Springs unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Carl Howelsen in honor of his many contributions to the area. In 2010, US Winter Olympians, Bill Demong and Johnny Spillane decorated Carl's statue with their medals upon their triumphant return from Vancouver. This statue can be found at Howelsen Place, at the corner of Lincoln and Seventh in downtown Steamboat.
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