1938: Founding Member of the CSIA
1939: First President of the CSIA
1939 and from 1945 to 1948: Chief Examiner
Wrote the first CSIA Manual
Manager of the 1948 Olympic Ski Team
Manager of the family business – Chalet Cochand Resort in Sainte-Marguerite, Quebec

Twice President of the CSIA: from 1958 to 1960 and from 1964 to 1966
Member of the National Technical Committee
Wrote the first French translation of the Manual
Interski Team Manager in 1965 at Badgastein, Austria
Interski Delegate in Aspen in 1968 and Garmisch in 1971
Developed the concept of ski equipment sponsorship for key CSIA people through his sport equipment distribution company
Director of the Mont-Plante Ski School for 15 years

Founding Member of the Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance in 1943, Chris held the very first secretary-treasurer position from 1949 to 1962. At that time, the Executive Director's position did not exist. This was considered the highest position, and in fact, Chris was also CSIA's first paid employee. His responsibilities included the administration of day-to-day business as well as assisting with Courses.

Chris has been a Member of the CSIA for 50 years! Needless to say, this is quite an achievement and undoubtedly reflects his tremendous love and passion for the sport. Chris was the 11th ski instructor to earn his Level 4 Senior Instructors Certification.
As a well-respected contributor and avid writer, Chris covered "Skiing in the Laurentians" in the Montreal Star.

Amongst his many career successes, Chris was also head coach of the "Université de Montréal Bleue et Or" Ski Team.

His involvement in the ski industry continued, as Chris became an Executive Committee member of the Canadian Ski Museum, based out of Ottawa during the late 1990s.

A Member of the Alliance since 1960, Wayne Bradford was Head Examiner in western Canada in the 1970s. Wayne was also part of the Interski Team in 1964 and 1968. Wayne played an instrumental role as the founder of the development of Technique and Modules for the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiers. At the time of updating this information (October 2005), Wayne is the Ski School Director at Kimberley Resort in British Columbia.

In 1948, Harvey Clifford became a Member of the Alliance. Between 1950 and 1962, Harvey held the position of Ski School Director in various stations across Canada and abroad, namely in Banff, Alberta; Sainte-Marguerite, Quebec; Ruapehu, New Zealand, and Mt. Snow, Vermont. Amongst his achievements, Harvey represented Canada at the 1948 Olympic Games in St. Moritz as well as the FIS Championships in Aspen, Colorado in 1950. Harvey, who was an inductee in the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame, passed away in 1982.

Conrad Guay has been a Member of the Alliance since 1968. He was the Ski School Director in Mont-Tremblant from 1975 to 1989. Interski counted Conrad amongst its team in 1975. Conrad also coached the Interski Team in 1983 and 1987. At the time of Conrad's induction into the CSIA Hall of Fame, he was coaching the National Ski Team.

Elton Erwin first became a Member of the Alliance in 1949. Elton is also a founding member of the Canadian Association of Disabled Skiers of which he was President for 16 incredible years. He was also an Interski delegate on three occasions. Inductee of the Laurentian Ski Hall of Fame, Elton teaches skiing and golfing at Gray Rocks, Quebec.

Ernie McCulloch became a Member of the Alliance in 1946. In the early 1950s, his career saw him win several prestigious ski races in North America, in the Quebec-Kandahar as well as the U.S. National Championships. Ernie also took with him, on numerous occasions, the Harriman Cup and won the Ryan Cup. Nominated as one of the first "Seniors" (Level 4) along with Réal Charette and Harvey Clifford, Ernie held the position of Ski School Director of the Mont-Tremblant Ski School between 1953 and 1969. In 1965, he was a member of the Interski Team. Ernie has also been inducted in both the U.S. and Canadian Ski Hall of Fame. He was Director and owner of the Blue Mountain Ski School from 1970 to 1980. Regretfully, Ernie passed away in 1987.

André Schwarz became a Member of the Alliance in 1970. In 1975 and 1979, André was a member of the Interski Team, and in 1983, he took on the position of Coach of the Interski Team. During the early 1970s, André was Ski School Director in Lake Louise. André presently owns and operates the Post Hotel in Lake Louise.

Member of CSIA’s National Board of Directors from 1975 to 1987
CSIA President from 1980 to 1987
Member of the National Technical Committee from 1968 to 1974
President of the National Technical Committee from 1972 to 1974
President of the lnterski 87 Committee - Banff, 1987
President of CSIA’s International Committee from the 1980s until now
Three-time Member of the lnterski Demo Team:
1971 Garmisch, Germany
1975 Czechoslovakia
1979 Zao, Japan
Member of the Interski Committee from 1983 to 1999
President of the Interski Committee from 1995 to 1999
Instructor – Sunshine Village from 1965 to 1968
Supervisor – Mt. Snow, Vermont from 1969 to 1971
Ski School Director at Big Vanilla, NY from 1971 to 1973
CSIA Chief Examiner in New Zealand from 1974 to 1976
Director of the Sunshine Village Ski Resort in Banff from 1977 to 1981
Partner/General Manager – Silver Star Mountain from 1981 to 1993

Member of CSIA’s National Board of Directors from 1964 to 1970
CSIA President from 1968 to 1970
Member of the National Technical Committee
Interski Delegate twice:
1971 Garmisch, Germany
1975 Czechoslovakia
Owner and Director of the Sunshine Village Ski School in Banff from 1958 to 1977
Founder of the Association for Disabled Skiers
Founding Member of the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS/ACSSH)
CADS President from 1976 to 1978
CADS General Manager from 1978 until now

Member of the CSIA National Board of Directors from 1965 to 1979
President of the CSIA from 1970 to 1974
National Technical Committee Member from 1965 to 1979
Chairman of the National Technical Committee in 1976
Four-time Interski Demo Team Member:
1965 Badgastein, Austria
1968 Aspen, Colorado
1971 Garmisch, Germany
1975 Czechoslovakia
Interski Team Delegate:
1979 Zao, Japan
1983 Sesto, Italy
Ski column writer in major local and national newspapers from 1964 to 1987
Instructor at Mount Baker, Washington from 1956 to 1960 and Mount Snow, Vermont 1961
Acted as Assistant Director: Mont-Tremblant from 1962 to 1964
Vice-President of Operations and Talisman, Ontario Ski School and Shop Owner from 1965 to 1990
Ski Professional and Boot Fitter at Whistler/Blackcomb from 1990 until now

1945 to 1955: Vice-President of the CSIA
CSIA Ski School Director (Training) from 1943 to 1949
In charge of the training courses for operating instructors
In charge of introducing CSIA training in Ontario and Manitoba

Member of CSIA’s National Board of Directors for six years
Member of the National Technical Committee in the 1970s
CSIA Level 4 Examiner
Five-time Member of the Demo Interski Team:
1965 Badgastein, Austria
1968 Aspen, Colorado
1971 Garmisch, Germany
1975 Czechoslovakia
1979 Zao, Japan
Ski School Director:
Mont-Orford, Quebec from 1962 to 1972
Manoir Saint-Castin, Quebec in 1973
Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec from 1976 to 1979
Ski Resort Director: Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec from 1980 to 1998

Member of CSIA s National Board of Directors from 1962 to 1966
Chair of the National Technical Committee from 1964 to 1969
Level 4 Examiner in the 1960s and 1970s
Interski Delegate Member:
1968 Aspen, Colorado
1975 Czechoslovakia
1979 Zao, Japan
Assistant Director in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec from 1960 to 1966
Assistant to the General Manager in Mont-Trembant, Quebec from 1965 to 1980
General Manager at Fortess Mountain, Alberta from 1983 to 1986
General Manager at the Osler Bluff Ski Club, Ontario from 1986 to 1998

George Hoffman, better known as “Bud”, joined the CSIA in 1963 after completing his ASI, and in 1966, he passed his CSI. Bud taught skiing at the London Ski Club. He joined the Beaver Valley Ski School in 1960, and the following year, became their Ski School Director until 1971. Bud became involved with the CSIA very early in his career. Bud was a member of the CSIA Board of Directors from 1963 to 1970 (serving as Secretary, Vice-Chairman and then Past Chairman). He actually originated the first CSIA ramp show. Bud also sat on the CSIA National Board for five years, serving in a variety of positions including Vice-President. During that period, Bud set up the first permanent CSIA National Office and personally supervised the first six months of its operation. That same year, Bud served as a delegate with the CSIA Interski Team held in Garmish, Germany.

Moreover, Bud originated the Level 1 Courses as we know them today. He sat on the committee that arranged government funding from the Ontario Government for these courses. He also served as the first Director for these courses for a number of years. Bud initiated the Molson Molstar Racing Program in Ontario with the assistance of Molson Breweries. This was the first citizen non-competitive racing in the province. Bud is also the Founder of Molson Park in Barrie, Ontario, a haven for cross-country ski enthusiasts.

As a Member of the CSIA Steering and Executive Committees, Bud set up the Ontario Ski Council and Sport Ontario (for Ontario). From 1969 to 1976, he served as the Full-Time Manager of the Southern Ontario Ski Zone. Notable National Team names include Podborski, Safrata, Gibson, Creed and Robbins. Bud subsequently hired Al Raine to come to Ontario to coach. In addition, Bud was the OSRA’s first Full-Time Manager. In 1976, Bud bought an old creamery in Beaver Valley and turned it into a ski shop and cross-country ski area.

At the time of his induction, Bud sat on the Beaver Valley Ski Club.

Doug joined the CSIA in 1972 upon completing the ASI course (Level 2) at Talisman Ski Club. Doug and his wife Debbie moved to the Kitchener area and both worked at the Chicopee Ski Club full-time for Peter Schwirtlich. From 1972 to 1978, Doug taught full-time and obtained his CSI (Level 3) and his CSCF Level 2. From 1974 to 1978, he was the Assistant Director of Chicopee.

In 1979, Doug became Director of Skiing at Glen Eden Ski Area in Milton, Ontario. At that time, Glen Eden was a small school with a few hundred lessons given per season. Under Doug’s direction and with a very dedicated staff, the lesson program grew over the next twenty-four seasons. In 2003, when Doug retired from the Glen Eden Ski Area, his school was teaching about 65,000 lessons per season with a professional staff of 250 ski and snowboard instructors.
Doug and Debbie with their two sons, Mark and Andrew, and their concession with Conservation Halton developed a staff of truly dedicated skiers and boarders that have moved on and are now being recognized for their involvement in the organization. These include nine Level 4s, Demo Team Members, Snow School Directors and many full-timers in the industry.

Along with running a successful business, Doug held important roles with the CSIA. From 1981 to 1987, he was a member of the National Board spending the last four of those years as Vice-President. In 1987, Doug attended Interski in Banff, Alberta as an Official Delegate of the CSIA.
In 1990, Doug was approached to see if he would return to the National Board, which he did, and held a position as President from 1991 to 1995. During this time, Doug and the CSIA Board of Directors brought snowboarding under the CSIA umbrella which was later to be called CASI. In 1995, Doug attended Interski, once again, in Japan, as President, and part of the official delegation.

During these periods on the National Board, Doug was very highly regarded for his ability, fairness and diplomacy in dealing with important issues. Doug was also proud of his relationship with the CSIA field staff and was always sensitive to their needs and those of the Membership.

Some of Doug’s achievements include his induction into the Ontario Hall of Fame in 1997.

Doug was inducted into the CSIA National Hall of Fame in the fall of 2001. Doug continued to work for the CSIA, as a Course Conductor, and as the Director of Development back where he started at Chicopee in Kitchener, Ontario. He also developed skiers through his business, The Phoenix Club.

Doug is very proud of his involvement with the CSIA, but especially of his family and their support over the years. Debbie and Mark are both Level 2 Instructors and A.J. (Andrew) is a Level 3 Instructor and a Level 1 Course Conductor. Doug would like to send an open invitation to all his past contacts to keep in touch.

Corrine grew up as a ski racer, when she won the famous Taschereau Race in 1953, which was at the time considered to be the "big" race in Eastern Canada for racers aged 18 years and under.

Level 2 Certification - Chantecler in 1954
Level 3 Certification - Chalet Cochand in 1955
Level 4 Certification – Mont-Tremblant in 1958

For four years, Corrine instructed for Ernie McCulloch at Mont-Tremblant during the mid 1950s.

Corrine married CSIA Chief Examiner, Heli Summeurar in 1957, and subsequently, instructed full-time at Mont-Sainte-Agathe, Mont-Orford, Mount Snow, Vermont, and Indian Head, Michigan.

Corrine also made the final cut for the 1965 Interski Team held at Badgastien, Austria.

In the late 1960s, Corrine became Ski School Director at Cuttle's, Mont-Tremblant Club, where she worked for five years. A real trail blazer, Corrine was the first woman to attain the CSIA "Senior" (Level 4) Certification and the first female to examine on CSIA Courses, where she started in Rossland, British Columbia. And so, Corrine examined on CSIA Courses for close to two decades (1958 - 1975).

Ski School Director at Big White, British Columbia
Ski School Director at Sunshine Village, Alberta
CSIA Level 4 Course Conductor
CSIA Course Director for all of Canada
Instrumental in starting the Examiners’ Training Program
Instrumental in starting the CSIA Courses in Lahr, Germany
Member of the Board of Directors
CSIA Vice-President
Mountain Guide (ACMG), worked for Heli-Skiing out of Golden and Revelstoke, British Columbia

Peter Schwirtlich took his first Level 2 Course at Gray Rocks in 1967. Without any experience, he failed. But Lorne McFadgen, at that time Director of Skiing at Talisman Ski Resort in Kimberley, Ontario, was the Course Examiner. Lorne needed full-time Instructors. Recognizing some talent in Peter, he hired him.

After some great training with Lorne, Peter took his Level 2 for the second time in 1968, this time at Mont Tremblant. He won that Course, getting the top marks out of all candidates.

The following year, 1969, Peter passed his Level 3 at Hidden Valley in Huntsville, Ontario, again taking top marks and winning the Course. At that time, Course winners were declared and presented with a trophy and other prizes.

Peter passed his Level 4 in 1972 at Mont Tremblant, on the second try, having failed his first attempt in 1971. In the fall of 1972, he became Ski School Director at Chicopee Ski Club in Kitchener, Ontario, a position he held there until 2003.

Soon after that, Peter received training from the CSIA to work on Courses. He started to examine in the fall of 1972, working on Level 2 Courses.

Peter became Eastern Technical Committee Chairman in 1975. By 1979, Peter was part of the National Technical Committee and went to the Interski at Zao, Japan as CSIA Photographer, Videographer and Technical Delegate. By that time he was qualified to examine at all levels.

Peter again attended Interski in Sesto, Italy, in 1983, then in 1987 served as Technical Committee Chairman, giving a speech on the Canadian ski technique at the Banff Interski. Peter became President of the CSIA soon after the Banff Congress, and held that position until late 1989, almost three years later.

He then became active in CASI, serving as Treasurer from 1994 to 1999.

Peter is now retired and lives and skis in Courtenay, B.C., on Vancouver Island.

1962 - 1979 CSIA Examiner
1965 - 1976 CSIA Technical Committee (Chairman from 1975-1976)
1969 - 1979 CSIA National Board Member
1975 - 1979 President of CSIA National Board
1971 Interski Team, Garmish, Germany
1975 Head of Canadian Delegation, Interski Czechoslovakia
1979 Interski Delegate, Zao, Japan

1974 - 1981 National Board Member
1988 - 1991 National Board Member
1979 CSIA National Board Vice-President
1978 - 1984 CSIA Technical Committee
1979 Interski Team, Zao, Japan
1983 Interski Delegate, Sesto, Italy
1987 CSIA Organizing Committee, Banff Interski
President of the CSIA International Committee
Founding Member of CSCF

1966 - 1979 CSIA Examiner
1971 - 1975 Chairman, CSIA Technical Committee
1972 - 1974 Member of CSIA National Board
1971 - 1975 Interski Team, Garmish, Germany; Czechoslovakia
1979 Interski Team Coach, Zao, Japan

1957 - 1980 CSIA & CSCF Examiner
1955 - 1970 CSIA Ontario Board
1968 - 1980 CSIA National Board
1968 - 1972 CSIA Technical Committee
1966 - 1986 Assistant Coach, National Ski Team Summer Camps
1969 - 1979 Tour Guide France, Italy and USA
Inducted into CSIA Ontario Hall of Fame

Doug is known as the guy who made “skiing” in Manitoba. He learned to ski by reading books as the CSIA wasn’t here yet. In 1951, Doug became President of the Varsity Ski Club at the University of Manitoba. In the 1960s, Doug was introduced to the CSIA when the Winnipeg Ski Club where he became an instructor and later on took the CSIA Level 2, was referred to as the ASI. Named Ski School Director at the Winnipeg Ski Club in the 1970s, Doug’s relationship with the CSIA strengthened as he was appointed Chairman of various Manitoba sub-committees and became the voice of the National Board of Directors’ Regional Committees.

His involvement as a National Board Member from 1976 to 1982 was instrumental as Doug was named Chairman of the Finance Committee in 1981-1982. Doug was also active in the restructuring of Regions with the CSIA, and ultimately, he was responsible for shaping the Central Region (SK, MB and NWO).

Doug’s involvement in the ski industry was diversified as Jerry Johnston (CADS) was the person who introduced him to teaching the disabled to ski. Working with the disabled became a very important part of Doug’s life. From 1974 to 2004, Doug was a member of CADS and during his long tenure, he was President of CADS. He assisted in creating the By-Laws, Constitution and Policies of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

In 1984, Doug was appointed “Chef de Mission” for the Canadian Team at the Winter Olympic Games for the disabled in Innsbruck, Austria.

Doug retired in 2003 at the young age of 80.

It is with great pride that Linda Crutchfield was inducted into the CSIA Hall of Fame. Born in Shawinigan Falls, Quebec on April 3, 1942, Linda Crutchfield’s impressive, multitasked career spans over 40 years, and might we add, several continents. Her involvement and dedication to the ski industry is considerable and so is her devotion as an overall athlete.

It is with great pride that we share with you some of Linda’s achievements over the past 10 decades. Linda’s career as an athlete spanned over 17 years in three separate sports:

Canadian National Teams:

From 1959 to 1965: Alpine Skiing in three events – Downhill, GS and SL
From 1965 to 1975: Water Skiing also in three events – Jumping, SL and Figures
From 1967 to 1969: Luge

On four occasions, twice as an athlete, Linda participated in different disciplines at the Olympic Games:

1960: Alternate – Alpine Ski Olympic Team, Squaw Valley, California, USA(Unfortunately, “Alternates” were unable to attend the Games)
1964: Alpine Skiing – Innsbruck, Austria in the SL, Downhill and GS
1968: Luge – Grenoble, France. Linda finished in 10th place and was recognized for Best Canadian Performance, Male or Female
1976: Assistant “Chef de Mission” in Innsbruck, Austria for the Winter Games
1976: Director, Observation Missions – Montreal, Canada during the Summer Games

Linda also participated in five World Championships:

1962: Alpine Skiing – Chamonix, France. She competed in the SL, Downhill and GS. 1965: Water Skiing – Surfers Paradise Gardens, Australia in the Jump and Slalom Categories
1969: Water Skiing – Copenhagen, Denmark in the Slalom and Tricks. She placed 5th in the Jump. 1971: Water Skiing – Banolas, Spain in the Jump and Tricks. Again, she placed 5th, this time in the Slalom
1973: Water Skiing – Bogota, Colombia in the Jump, Tricks and Slalom. Her most impressive achievements in Water Skiing include:

• First woman in Canada to jump over 100 feet in water skiing
• Fifth woman in the world to jump over 100 feet in water skiing

With such an extensive profile, Linda has also been honoured and inducted into four Ski Halls of Fame, namely;

1984: Canada – Ski Hall of Fame
1985: Laurentians – Ski Hall of Fame
1985: Saint-Maurice Valley – Ski Hall of Fame
1994: Quebec (Province) – Water Ski Hall of Fame. Since July 2002, Linda is President of the Laurentians Ski Museum

Her professional career brought her to become Director of six Ski Schools, including Mont-Avila and Saint-Sauveur in Quebec. For eight years (1971 to 1979), Linda examined on Courses across Canada as a CSIA Level 4 Examiner. From 1982 to 1983, Linda was Director of Sports and Recreation at the Alpine Inn and Auberge du Lac Lucerne in Sainte-Marguerite, Quebec. She also held the position of Director of Operations, responsible for Ski School, Marketing and Ticketing Activities at Ski Morin Heights, Quebec.

Since 1998, Linda has been a part-time Ski Instructor at the Mont-Tremblant Snow School. As stated earlier, these are just some of Linda’s many achievements and she should be very proud.

Linda Crutchfield can always be reached by email at the following addresses: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To summarize, Joe’s business successes have been many and quite diverse, namely in ski, golf, oil, land, and as a rancher!

In addition to these achievements, Joe’s involvement with the CSIA spanned over a 25-year period:
1967-1973: Member of the Alberta Committee Board of Directors
1971-1973: Chairman of the Alberta Committee
1971-1973 and 1982-1991: Served on CSIA’s National Board of Directors
1989-1991: President of CSIA’s Board of Directors

Joe was also a key Member of the Organizing Executive Committee for the 1987 Interski Event, which took place in Banff, Alberta. He was later appointed Delegate and “Chef de Mission” for the 1991 Interski Event in St. Anton, Austria.

Of course, Joe’s career within the ski industry was a fulfilling one. Here are just a few of the positions he held:

1959-1964: Volunteer Ski Patrol at Lake Louise Ski Area
1964-1969: Ski School Director and General Manager at Happy Valley
1970: Purchased a major share in Paskapoo (COP)
1984: Sold Paskapoo to the Calgary Olympic Committee for the 1988 Olympic Games
1987-1992: Owner/Operator of Fortress Mountain in the Kananaskis

John Hanna’s career in the ski industry is a long standing one. John first took his ASI in December 1961, and the following year, he completed his CSI. In the spring of 1963, he became a Senior Instructor.

His career with the CSIA prospered as he became a Demo Team member for the 1965 Interski Event, which was held in Badgastein, Austria and in 1968 in Aspen, Colorado. In 1971, John was Coach in Garmish Parterkirchen, Germany.

John was also a valued Member of our National Board of Directors from 1969 to 1975. He then became a Member of the TC Committee from the late sixties to the mid-seventies.

Guy’s involvement with the CSIA continued to flourish. For a decade, from 1970 to 1980, Guy was a Member of the CSIA National Technical Committee and simultaneously served three impressive terms as a Member of the National Board of Directors from 1971 to 1979. Meanwhile, in the 1970s, Guy closely worked with the CSCF and the CSIA Technical Committees to coordinate Course presentations and the overall administration of both organizations. On the international front, Guy was also involved as Coach and Demonstrator at the 1975 Interski Event, and in 1979, he held the position of Manager, and once again, Demonstrator. Guy’s astonishing ski career earned him a wide variety of significant positions such as:

National Alpine Ski Team (Canada) Men’s Coach 1968-1971
Japan National Ski Team - Olympic Technical Coach 1972

From a manufacturing perspective, Guy successfully introduced Descente Ski Apparel to the Canadian market in 1983, and from 1995 to 2003, he held the position of President and CEO of Descente North America, Inc.

Born on June 11, 1944, this Ottawa native graduated from Algonquin College, Ottawa, Ontario, in 1971 with a Business Administration, Major in Management, degree.

His first ski experience began at the tender age of four. Mike grew up skiing, and his many talents took him from cross country skiing to jumping and downhill at the Ottawa Ski Club at Camp Fortune, Quebec.

Mike began climbing the CSIA Certification ladder in 1962 after successfully completing his Level 2 Course (ASI) at Camp Fortune. Moving out West, he then took his CSIA Level 3 (CSI) at Sunshine Village, Alberta, in 1965, and passed his Level 4 in 1971. He also became a founding member of the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation (CSCF) in 1970, and presently holds his CSCF Level 3.

Moreover, Mike enjoyed a successful racing career from 1953 to 1965 with the Ottawa ski club and Gatineau Ski Zone. He also raced nationally, and was named to a 12-person roster, better known today as the Development Team. A famed Taschereau Race winner at Mont Tremblant in 1963, which at the time was the most important race for 18 years and under in Eastern Canada, Mike became a member of the Quebec Ski Team where he won the Canadian Junior Championships in Banff, Alberta. In 1974, he won the Western Molstar Pacesetters Race at Sunshine Village.

CSIA Involvement:
1968 – Observer at the Interski Congress held in Aspen, Colorado
1971 to 1998 – Level 1, 2 and 3 Course Conductor
Mid ‘70’s – Member of the Western Technical Committee
1974 (Approx) – Founding member of the Canadian Professional Ski School Association
1974 to 1975 – Chairman, Alberta Committee
1984 to1987 – Member of Interski ’87 Organizing Committee, event held in Banff
1985 to 1991 – Member of Alberta Committee, Finance Portfolio
1991 to 1999 – Member of the CSIA Board of Directors
1993 to 1995 – Member of the Executive Committee
1995 to 1999 – President of the CSIA

Ski Industry Involvement:
1962 to 1963 – Instructor, Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania and Camp Fortune, Que.
1963 to 1964 – Part-time Instructor, Camp Fortune, Que.
1965 to 1968 – Instructor, Sunshine Valley, AB
1969 to 1970 – Head Coach, Ottawa Ski Club
1970 to 1972 – Head Coach and Technical Director, National Capital Division, Ottawa
1972 to 1973 – Contract Instructor, Queenstown, New Zealand
1972 – Founding member of the New Zealand Ski Instructors Alliance NZSIA)

- Wrote the first manual for the NZSIA (based on CSIA methodology)
1972 to 1973 – Technical Chairman and National Course Director, NZSIA
1973 to 1977 – Ski School Director, Sunshine Village, AB
1978 to 1980 – Ski School Director, Paskapoo (COP), AB
1980 to 1991 – Part-time Instructor, Fortress Mountain, AB
1983 to 1984 – Manager of the 1984 Olympic Disabled Skiing Team, Insbruck Austria
2000 to 2003 – Part-time Instructor, Club Ski Banff, AB
2004 to 2006 – Private Ski Instructor, Fairmont Snow School, AB
1990 to 2006 – Member of Pro Work Shop team of instructors, Panorama, BC

An emotional Mike Wiegele, long-time CSIA Member, founder of the Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing and of the Canadian Ski Guides Association, accepted this plaque at the Hall of Fame event held at the Lake Louise Fall Convention.

Mike was inducted for his special contribution to the skiing and ski teaching profession in Canada.

Mike Wiegele was born in Austria in 1938, the same year the CSIA was founded. He grew up in the Austrian Alps and lived to ski and ski race. Mike came to Canada in 1959, where he instructed at Mont-Tremblant, Quebec in 1960-1961 and Sugar Bowl, California from 1962 to 1965.

Mike subsequently became Ski School Director and Ski Shop Owner in Lake Louise for eight years that is from 1965 to 1972. He also was given the contract to manage the Ski School at Canyon in Red Deer, Alberta.

Mike obtained his CSIA ASI Certification (equivalent to our Level 2) at Gray Rocks, Quebec in 1960 and proceeded to pass his CSI Certification (Level 3) in 1964 at Sunshine. Five years later, in 1969, Mike successfully completed the Level 4 Senior Instructor’s Course at Lake Louise.

The following year, in 1967, Mike married Bonnie and together they had a daughter Michele who has grown up and is now a key person in the family business, better known as Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing.

His achievements didn’t end here. In the early 1970s, Mike also founded the Banff Quikies Ski Club for young children, and with his wife Bonnie and other friends, they taught kids to ski and have fun. This later evolved into the Banff Alpine Racers, which continues to operate. They saw a real need in the Banff community and made it happen. During this period, Mike began exploring and studying various mountain areas for snow patterns and skiing potential. As we know, he found his haven in the Blue River, British Columbia region when Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing was founded in 1970.

From small beginnings, which actually started with no guests, Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing has developed into a full service 5-star year-round resort, which is one of the largest heli-skiing and year-round areas in the world. His clientele comes from all over the globe.

Mike also founded the Canadian Ski Guide Association (CSGA) in 1990, which has opened the door for Canadians to train to become ski guides and which introduced a new meaningful way to live and work in the mountains. He then initiated avalanche research in conjunction with the University of Calgary to gain additional knowledge and expertise in this field. Today, all of the heli-skiing operators participate.

Two books have been published on Mike and his heli-skiing operation. Mike is now writing a technical book on ski and mountain guiding. In addition, in 1978, Mike created the now famous Powder 8 World Championships, which he hosts each year at his Blue River Resort. He has hosted the Canadian Ski Team for summer speed training at Blue River for several years, at his own expense. Mike has continually encouraged Canadian CSIA members to join his world as well as the CSIA to broaden its brush in its certification criteria to include first aid, mountain skills and awareness to truly be a full certification in every sense of the word as required by mountain conditions.

In the fall of 2001, Mike invited key people from the CSIA to Blue River to develop the CSIA’s new Mountain Skills & Awareness Program to help the CSIA meet the new criteria for international certification and open doors for our members to pursue the heli-skiing way of life.

Mike Wiegele’s Awards and Merits Include:

• The Bravery Award from the Governor General of Canada.
• The Marshall Award for Excellence from the Canada West Ski Areas Association for his outstanding contribution to the betterment of the ski industry.
• Mike was inducted into the Canadian Honour Roll of Canadian Skiing for his outstanding input in the development of skiing in Canada.

Mike has an enthusiasm and passion for skiing that is unsurpassed and when he feels there is a need to improve or be innovative, he takes on the task whole heartedly. He still has plans to expand and develop his resort to offer more variety and facilities for people to enjoy, including surface lifts to expand the heli-skiing operation. He was asked a few years ago if he thought he still had time to fulfill all his development plans and his reply was simple and enthusiastic… “No problem… I just took out another 150-year lease on life”.

The CSIA wishes to recognize Mike for his tremendous contribution to the ski world and especially for his ongoing encouragement, help and guidance to the CSIA in its growth as well.

Martin Jean proudly presented a plaque Mr. Doug Roy, Snow School Director for their 45 years of successful business.

History:
• In the early 1960’s the era of the Montreal Ski Train was coming to an end. The autoroute did not exist resulting in slow travel even to the closest resorts in the Lower Laurentians. Skiing was available mainly to families with ski chalets
• Snowy Eagle Ski School was founded in December 1962 by Rod Roy and became one of the first traveling ski schools in Quebec. Rod was a Physical Education graduate from McGill University and was a high school teacher in St-Laurent for 33 years
• Skiing immediately became more accessible to children from non-skiing families
• The name was changed to Rod Roy Ski Schools in 1969
• Virtually every ski hill in the Laurentians has been part of the Rod Roy programs including long forgotten resorts like Carling Lake, Mont Fugère, Mont Castor, Sun Valley and Yvon Coutu
• The first season there were only 32 Members & 4 Instructors using one school bus. Today there are 1200 members & 85 instructors using 25 deluxe coach buses

Philosophy & Objectives:
• Safety. Parents are entrusting Ski Rod Roy with their child from the moment they get on the bus in the morning until their return in the evening
• Fun. Skiing and snowboarding lessons are not a sixth day of school. The emphasis is on having fun on the slopes
• Learning. Using the teaching techniques of the CSIA and CASI

Three programs were developed to meet the needs of the skiers:
• Ages 6-10 in full-supervision programs with lessons all day at smaller resorts
• Ages 10-13 with half-day lessons and some free-ski time at mid-sized resorts
• Ages 13+ with the option of half-day lessons or free-ski time all day visiting the larger resorts in Quebec and Vermont
• New programs evolved as the industry changed including snowboarding programs for teens, adult programs, u-drive family programs and in recent years a parks & pipe course

Rod’s passion for skiing continues to this day. He averages 60 ski days a year, and remains involved with the ski school as on-hill ambassador reminding everyone that there is no such thing as a bad ski day.

Snow Hawks Ski & Snowboard School - 2023

• Founded 40 years ago in 1984 and still operated by Mitch Gorski and his wife, Heather Siderson.
• Developed the Travelling Ski School business model in Ontario.
• Largest Travelling Ski School in Ontario via growth and acquisitions.
• Snow Hawks has introduced literally thousands of people to the sport of skiing.
• Trained and oversight of 2000 plus Ski Instructors since its start. 
• Delivers Instructor Training Program for advanced skiers aged 14+ by CSIA Level 3 & 4’s.
• All Snow Hawks Ski Instructors are CSIA trained & certified!
• Similar award presented to the Rod Roy Ski School in 2006 as Special Contributor in Quebec.

“Of all the prizes and honorary distinctions I’ve received, this is certainly the most significant one for me, because I know pretty well how much time and effort it takes to achieve a Level 4,” stated an emotional Nancy Greene during her speech in front of CSIA Members.

Among her thirteen World Cup victories (the most by a Canadian) and numerous championships and Olympic medals, Nancy Greene has also been presented with an impressive list of awards and honours including:

Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of the Dogwood (British Columbia’s highest Award)
Canadian Athlete of the Year in 1967 and 1968
Amateur Athletic Union “Female Athlete of the Year”
B’nai B’rith “Woman of the Year”
BC Ambassador of Tourism
Whistler’s Citizen of the Year (with husband Al)
Honorary Doctorate of Laws, University College of the Cariboo
Canadian Female Athlete of the Century
HALVA International Skiing Award

Nancy is also a member of the National Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Honour Roll of Skiing, BC Sports Hall of Fame, US Ski Hall of Fame and she is the Honorary Chair of the Nancy Greene Ski League.

Nancy and her husband Al are now living in Sun Peaks, where Nancy is the Ski Resort Manager, a partner of the Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge, and where she plays a significant role within the National Speakers Bureau. Nancy also continues to cooperation with Rossignol Skis which allowed to win several competitions.

The CSIA was very proud to present Nancy Greene with this honour, and is greatly appreciative of all her efforts that have truly helped the Canadian Ski Industry evolve on so many levels.

Bernard became a Member of the CSIA in December of 1963 when he obtained his ASI Level 2 at the Cochand Cottage. Three years later, in 1966, Bernard completed the CSI Training Session (Level 3). He was a volunteer builder involved in developing and financing Ski Québec and Ski Canada.

1983-1994 Vice-President, Marketing for Ski Canada at the time of the Crazy Canucks
Mille-Aide Club and support to athletes.
1990-1991 Obtained the J. Réal Boulanger Trophy from the Association des stations de ski du Québec for contributing to the development of the ski sport.
1998 Trophy for exceptional contribution during meetings at Ski Schools in Mont-Tremblant (1938-1998).
Director of several ski schools in Quebec:
Domaine de Rougemont, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Rouville
Villa Bellevue, Mont-Tremblant
Mont-Bélair, Mont-Sauvage, Val-Morin
Mont-Shefford, Station Owner
1999-2000 President of the Gold Medal Club (Currently Governor).
1996 Obtained the Spatule d’Or for contributing to the development of ski competition.
Founder of the University Circuit in cooperation with student sports.
Former Governor and Administrator of Quebec University Sports Award of Merit.
1995 Laurentians Hall of Fame Inductee.
Ski Quebec Ambassador.
Throughout his various contributions, Mr. Bernard Trottier participated in giving Canadian athletes more than a million dollars in bursaries.
It is with great pride that the CSIA awarded Bernard Trottier with this honour to thank him for his past and present efforts in ensuring that the Canadian ski industry continues to help future generations.