An immigrant to Canada from Norway in 1929, Henry Sotvedt began his involvement in skiing soon after arriving in Canada, a passion that would last until his death in 1982. Considered one of the pioneers of skiing and ski jumping, Henry was Canada’s first Olympic ski jumping coach and Canada’s first FIS certified judge.

Henry was a successful competitor in the 1930’s and 1940’s including being the top Canadian in Nordic Combined at the Canadian National Championships in 1937.  He organized ski jumping clinics during the 1950’s, was Jumping Chairman for Canada (1959 – 1969), World Championship Judge (1962, 1966 & 1970) and a Canadian delegate to the FIS judging committee (1963 – 1969). In the 1970’s, he was a member at large for the Canadian Olympic Committee and was Vice President of the B.C. Division of the Canadian Ski Association for four years (1970-1974).  He also promoted Whistler for the 1976 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games bids.