The former Olympian was still skiing in March. 1:00 pm, May 12, 2021 ×
George Hovland of Duluth stands with his ski gear in front of the chalet at Snowflake Nordic, the business he started in 1993 on Rice Lake Road. The cross-country ski center includes more than 15 kilometers of trails and has become a gathering place for skiers in Duluth. (Derek Montgomery / 2009 File / News Tribune)
DULUTH George Hovland grew up skiing in Duluth and never stopped.
When he was 18 months old, his parents taught him to ski on the snow bank in their front yard. By 11, he had launched himself off the Big Chester ski jump. And by 25, was on the U.S. cross-country team at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo.
The former Olympian was still skiing in March. 7:39 pm, May 10, 2021 ×
George Hovland of Duluth stands with his ski gear in front of the chalet at Snowflake Nordic, the business he started in 1993 on Rice Lake Road. The cross-country ski center includes more than 15 kilometers of trails and has become a gathering place for skiers in Duluth. (Derek Montgomery / 2009 File / News Tribune)
George Hovland grew up skiing in Duluth and never stopped.
When he was 18 months old, his parents taught him to ski on the snow bank in their Chester Parkway front yard. By 11, he had launched himself off the Big Chester ski jump. And by 25, was on the U.S. cross-country team at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo.