It is with profound sadness that we share in the loss of Pepi Gramshammer, an icon of the skiing world, a giant in our community, a valued leader, and one of the most charismatic people we have ever known. Pepi was a visionary: he saw what Vail could become, it was he who spearheaded the efforts to bring the first Alpine World Ski Championships to Vail and Beaver Creek in 1989, and he was instrumental in these efforts again in 1999 and 2015. We simply could never have succeeded without him. Pepi was a stalwart supporter of the Vail Valley Foundation, and many times guided us to bigger, bolder visions of what we, and his beloved community, could accomplish. We will miss him, and forever honor him by continuing to seek the next great mountain adventure in everything we do. Our love and affection is shared in this time of grief with Sheika, and the Gramshammer family, and to all those who knew him.

As we mourn the loss of our dear friend and legendary ski racer Pepi Gramshammer, Sheika and the Gramshammer family have graciously selected three local organizations to which they wish donations in Pepi’s memory be directed. We at the Vail Valley Foundation and the Birds of Prey World Cup, along with the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Vail Health, are honored to be recognized by Pepi’s family in this manner. If in Pepi’s memory you are moved to support the Vail Valley Foundation, please be assured that according to the Gramshammer family’s wishes, your gift will be directed specifically to our annual Birds of Prey World Cup ski races, of which Pepi was so instrumental in bringing to the Vail Valley. Thank you for your generosity and for sharing in our love for Pepi Gramshammer.