Gerald F. Groswold has an illustrious background in skisport. He built an enviable record in downhill and jumping competition. Later, Jerry helped establish a training program for youngsters. In 1959, he was elected to the Winter Park Recreational Association Board of Trustees.

Gerald Groswold was introduced to skiing at age 5 by two avid, skiing parents. His father was the manufacturer of Groswold skis, actively involved in the development of Aspen and Arapahoe Basin and later became involved in the development of the Winter Park Area in Colorado.

Groswold was a first-class competitor in his younger years. He had an enviable record in downhill and jumping competition which began at the old Hot Sulphur Springs Winter Carnival in 1938. In 1949 as a high school senior, he competed on a four-man team representing Colorado at the Western States Championships held at Sun Valley, Idaho. The team placed 1st; Groswold placed 4th overall in the combined (downhill, slalom and jumping). As a member of the Western State College Team, Jerry became the Southern Rocky Mountain division G.S. champion in 1950. In 1952, his competitive career came to an end upon his entrance into the University of Denver Law School.

In 1957,Groswold, Harold Sorenson and Marvin Crawford, at the urging of Steve Bradley, took over the jumping training for youngsters and developed a program that produced more members of the U.S. Ski Team than any other program at the time.

In 1959, Groswold was elected to the Winter Park Board of Trustees, becoming chairman of the board in 1969. He was named president and chief executive officer of Winter Park in 1975.

Under Groswold’s guidance, many innovations were initiated at Winter Park but none more important than the program for handicapped skiers. Winter Park, under the direction of Jerry, has opened the door to the world of skiing for the handicapped on a scale never imagined at the program’s beginning and has given countless thousands of disadvantaged the thrill of skiing.

The program began in the 1969-1970 season with Hal O’Leary as its director. From a modest beginning of 23 students, O’Leary and five volunteer instructors, the program today has expanded to include nearly 1,000 volunteers with an annual budget of more the $2,500,000.00.

In 1980, the National Handicap Recreation and Sports Association assembled and sent to Geilo, Norway the first Handicap Olympic Team properly representing the United States. Groswold was pleased to be a part of that team as team leader and personally raised about 70% of the almost $100,000 necessary to send the team.

Gerald Groswold was elected to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame in 1986.