While crepes and ski racing aren’t typically thought of in relation, Winter Park local Tom Gulden makes the combo work with his restaurant Goody’s Mountain Creperie at Winter Park Resort.
Gulden, a former ski racer, now uses his talents and experience as an instructor at the Ski and Ride School, a sponsor of the Middle Park mountain bike team and as the youngest Alpine Examiner in the country for the Professional Ski Instructors of America.
“Tom’s twin passions are skiing and biking, and he mentors the youngsters of the Valley wherever he can,” read his nomination. “Tom is in his 12th year of teaching skiing and biking at the Resort and Goody’s continues to be a major attraction for guests and locals alike.”
What problem would you like to solve?
Helping this community to grow into a more sustainable and year round community. I feel like we are on the cusp of making the next step and we will require some difficult decisions as we decide how to improve attainable housing, healthcare, education and year round employment.
Where do I see myself in 10 years?
Continuing to help develop people to achieve their goals; whether it be employees in my restaurant looking to open their own establishment, ski instructors to be the best skiers and teachers they can be, or the next generation to become future leaders.
Who is your hero and why?
Bill Gates – He was an inventor and businessperson who has fundamentally changed the world that we live in, for which he was rewarded monetarily and has gone on to use that money to change the world all over again through his philanthropic efforts.
What is it about your generation that sets it apart?
The generation to which I belong grew up having access to the internet and essentially all of mankind’s knowledge has been at our fingertips. My generation doesn’t value rote knowledge but rather creative ways to put the world’s knowledge to use.
Why did you choose Grand County?
It’s natural splendor, the passionate people, opportunities for recreation and its proximity to a major international airport.
How do you like to play in Grand County?
An after-work mountain bike ride in the Idlewild trail network, a sunset skin to the Broome Hut with my wife, and an 8 a.m. tele down Outhouse on a powder day.
What kind of future do you see for your industry?
The population is demanding quality, health, locally grown and expertly prepared food, yet we aren’t seeing matched supply in the expert people who grow and produce our food. I hope to see us place more value in the people who make the food we eat every day so that we can continue to see the growth in the interesting and healthy food section of the industry.
If you could change one thing about Grand County, what would it be?
Some of the things that makes Grand County great are our pioneer spirit and rugged individualism. As many great people live in this County, if we could create a unified vision and focus our efforts in the same direction, we would be unstoppable.