James « Jim » McConkey

Once described by Austrian ski legend Ernst Hinterseer as the “best all-round skier in the world,” Jim McConkey was among the first true “extreme” skiers, honing his considerable skills in the 1960s. Born in Barrie, Ont., in 1926, McConkey first slid down a small hill outside his family home on short skis with only toe straps. He went on to become famous for his deep-powder technique, aerial jumps and unconventional style that foreshadowed freestyle skiing. Known affectionately as “McConk,” he sought out challenging conditions — ice, crust and heavy snow — to refine his skills and was the first to conquer notorious gullies at Alta and Snowbird in Utah.

But McConkey was much more than a gifted skier. In 1945 he earned his assistant ski instructor designation through the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA), followed a year later by full certification under chief examiner Luggi Foegger at Lac Beauport, Que. From 1946 to 1949 he taught at the Snow Eagle Ski School at Gray Rocks Inn, Que. In 1948, while filming on the Athabasca Glacier with Foegger, he fell into a crevasse and was badly injured before being rescued by Austrian skier Toni Matt — an experience that became part of his legend.

Following his recovery, McConkey worked on the first chairlift at Mount Norquay, Banff, then taught in California and Utah, becoming a senior instructor with some of the most renowned ski schools in North America. In the 1950s and 1960s he taught at Alta, Utah, for Alf Engen, skied in films and appeared in photo shoots, and helped pioneer helicopter skiing alongside Hans Gmoser. Alta’s “McConkey Bowl” was named in his honour.

In the 1960s and 1970s, McConkey directed ski schools at Park City, Utah, and later at Todd Mountain (now Sun Peaks), B.C., where he also ran a ski shop and coached at summer race camps. In 1968 he was hired to run the ski school, shops and helicopter skiing at Whistler Mountain. He became a CSIA examiner for Western Canada and operated Whistler’s ski and rental shops until 1985, later continuing in public relations and helping develop the Japanese market.

McConkey’s blend of skiing excellence, instructional innovation and entrepreneurial spirit helped shape Canada’s ski industry and inspired generations of skiers to push beyond traditional boundaries.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1945–1946 — Earned CSIA assistant instructor designation; full certification under Luggi Foegger at Lac Beauport, Que.
• 1946–1949 — Instructor, Snow Eagle Ski School, Gray Rocks Inn, Que.; filmed on Athabasca Glacier; rescued after crevasse accident by Toni Matt
• 1948–1953 — Worked on first chairlift at Mount Norquay; taught at Badger Pass, Calif.; senior instructor at Gray Rocks; marketing and publicity at Mount Norquay
• 1953–1963 — Instructor at Alta, Utah, with Alf Engen; appeared in ski films and photo shoots; skied with Hans Gmoser; “McConkey Bowl” named for him
• 1963–1964 — Directed ski school at Park City, Utah
• 1964–1968 — Directed ski school and ski shop at Todd Mountain (Sun Peaks), B.C.; guest coach at Franz Gabl Mount Baker Summer Racing School
• 1968–1985 — Operated Whistler Mountain ski school, ski/rental shops and helicopter skiing operations; CSIA examiner for Western Canada
• Post-1985 — Continued in public relations for Whistler stores and opened Japanese market

Note: Information compiled from several sources; may not include all accomplishments. © Canadian Ski Museum & Hall of Fame. For personal/educational use only. All rights reserved.