Jozo Weider

Born in Žilina in 1908, in what is now eastern Slovakia and was then part of Czechoslovakia, Jozo Weider’s life was destined to be tied to the mountains. In his early 20s, he built a chalet in the remote Carpathian Mountains, which remained his home throughout the 1930s. There, he earned a living as an innkeeper, mountain guide and photographer.

At age 31, Jozo travelled to Britain to promote tourism for his resort. He was still in Britain when Germany invaded Czechoslovakia in the spring of 1939. An urgent telegram to his wife enabled her to leave with their one-year-old son and join him in England, where they applied for political refugee status. That summer, the family emigrated to Canada, facing a difficult life as settlers in the frontier community of Peace River, Alta.

Later in 1939, Jozo moved east to Quebec, where he worked as a ski instructor at the Château Frontenac and taught skiing at the Alpine Inn in Sainte-Marguerite. There, he met Peter Campbell — later appointed to the Senate — who was involved in developing a ski area at Collingwood, Ont. Campbell became Jozo’s financial partner and supporter for much of his career.

Arriving in Collingwood in the spring of 1941, Jozo’s legendary enthusiasm and tireless work ethic quickly became apparent. Under his leadership, Blue Mountain grew into one of Canada’s largest and most dynamic ski areas, boasting 28 trails and 15 lifts over 800 acres of escarpment land.

Shortly after Jozo’s death in 1971, the Collingwood Enterprise-Bulletin wrote: “There are very few men born with the gift of vision, perseverance and physical ability that this undertaking (Collingwood) required. It has always been difficult to consider Jozo a Canadian… He was a citizen of the world, in mind, in knowledge and in experience. However, he was a great promoter of Canadian life, good to Collingwood, and good for Collingwood. Jozo influenced creative and innovative thinking, swayed opinions and often influenced decisions.”

Jozo’s influence extended beyond Collingwood to the broader world of international skiing, reflected in the successes of Canadian alpine stars who grew up at Blue Mountain, including Todd Brooker, Liisa Savijärvi, Kellie Casey and Ernie McCulloch, the long-time director of the ski school.

The history of the Blue Mountain ski area was later documented by Jozo’s son, George, in Blue Mountain (The Boston Mills Press, 1990).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1908 – Born in Žilina, Slovakia (then Czechoslovakia)
• 1930s – Built and operated chalet in the Carpathian Mountains; worked as innkeeper, mountain guide and photographer
• 1939 – Emigrated to Canada as a political refugee with his family
• 1939 – Worked as ski instructor at Château Frontenac and Alpine Inn, Sainte-Marguerite, Que.
• 1941 – Began development of Blue Mountain, Collingwood, Ont.
• Grew Blue Mountain into one of Canada’s largest ski areas: 28 trails, 15 lifts, 800 acres
• Influenced generations of Canadian skiers, including Todd Brooker, Liisa Savijärvi, Kellie Casey and Ernie McCulloch
• 1971 – Died, remembered as a visionary builder of Canadian skiing

Note: The information gathered in this biography was compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments. Copyright © Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum. For personal and/or educational use only. All rights reserved.