Gordon was born on July 26, 1934 to Jack and Marian Arwine. Gordon was a member of the Mountaineers and became an Eagle Scout in 1953. He served our country in the Navy and Naval Air Reserves for 8 years. He was a radar technician on the USS Midway.
He became interested in skiing while attending Lincoln High School. He became a PSIA Certified Level 2 ski instructor in 1955, Level 3 shortly thereafter, and taught skiing for 42 years. He Supervised for Jack Nagel ski school. When Crystal Mountain opened in 1962, Jack moved his ski school and the Arwines followed. They eventually purchased 40 shares of Crystal Mt. Founders Club Stock to help the area financially. He was an inspirational skier. Everybody wanted to ski like Gordy! He has been a clinician, Crystal Demo-Team Member, Technical Director and Level 1 Examiner.
Eventually, they purchased the Ski School from Jack in 1979, renaming it Star Skiers. It ran as one of the best in the Northwest for 25 years. Their 3 daughters, Dana, Laurel and Noel, all competed in ski races and taught skiing. Gordy was elected to two terms on the Board of Professional Ski Instructors of America and was a certified member of PSIA for 60 years achieving alumni status.
Both Gordy and his wife Sharon were inducted into Crystal Mt. Founders Club Hall of Fame in June, 2005. They each served as President of Capital Ski Club. Gordon really enjoyed skiing in Sun Valley for the Ancient Skiers reunion week. In 2013, Crystal Mountain named a ski run after him: Upper Arwines and Lower Arwines. In his later years, he helped build their dream house on Harstine Island, WA. He lived there up until just before his passing. He was a wonderful person and a friend to everyone.