Bob Gilmour

Bob Gilmour enjoyed a rich and varied involvement in the ski industry, excelling as a competitor, instructor, coach and ski organization director.

Bob was a proud member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team from 1959–1962, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport. He competed on the Europa Cup circuit during the 1960–61 season and was considered one of the top alpine ski racers in the Laurentians and, arguably, all of Canada.

As a junior competitor, he won the Colonial Airline Trophy in 1951 and 1952, and again in the senior division in 1956. In 1961 and 1962, Bob took on the role of manager for the Canadian national team, further demonstrating his leadership and commitment to the sport.

After retiring from competition, he embarked on a long and successful career in the ski industry. From 1962 to 1981, he worked with the Harvey Dodds Company, serving as general manager from 1971 to 1981 and later founded and operated Gilmour Sports from 1981 to 1993.

As an instructor, Bob was named Instructor of the Year in 1994 and 1995 at the Mont Tremblant Ski School in Quebec. He also coached more than 150 young racers as head coach of the Mont Tremblant Club Performance (Nancy Greene League) from 1994 to 1996.

Bob led the Mont Tremblant “Gate Bashers” during that same period, with many of his athletes achieving top results at major events, including selection to the national A and B teams.

He also served for more than 20 years as a director of the National Ski Industry Association, and from 1993 to 1999, participated in the Canadian Ski Industry Association’s “demonstration days” at Mont Tremblant.

Following his retirement from business, Bob returned to Mont Tremblant and its ski school, where he continued to teach and inspire new generations of skiers in the sport that defined his life.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1951: Awarded the Colonial Airline Trophy, Junior division
• 1952: Awarded the Colonial Airline Trophy, Junior division; 1st place, Quebec Provincial Championships
• 1953: 1st place, combined events, Canadian Junior Championships; 1st place, Taschereau Downhill race (Quebec), Junior division; 1st place, Laurentian Zone (Quebec) Downhill Championship
• 1955: 3rd place, combined events, Quebec Kandahar races
• 1956: Awarded the Colonial Airline Trophy, Senior division; 3rd place, slalom, Quebec Provincial Championships, Senior division; 3rd place, combined events, Quebec Provincial Championships, Senior division; 1st place, combined events, Quebec Kandahar races
• 1958: 2nd place, slalom, Quebec Kandahar races, Senior division; 3rd place, Ryan Cup Giant Slalom (Quebec); 1st place, Laurentian Zone (Quebec) Downhill Championship
• 1959: 1st place, slalom and downhill events, Canadian Championships, Senior division; 1st place, Giant Slalom Championship, Jay Peak (Vermont, U.S.)
• 1960: 1st place, Mount Baldy Downhill; competitor at Roche Cup (Aspen, Colorado, U.S.); competitor at Sun Valley Downhill (Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S.); competitor at Alta Downhill (Alta, Utah, U.S.)
• 1961–1962: Member, Canadian International Olympic Committee; manager, Canadian national alpine ski team
• 1961–1970: Director, Laurentian Ski Zone (Quebec)
• 1980–1993: Director, Canadian Sports Credits Association
• 1994: Appointed to Canadian Ski Museum, Ottawa, Ont.; named Instructor of the Year, Mont Tremblant Ski School (Quebec); began coaching Mont Tremblant Club Performance (Nancy Greene League); began coaching Mont Tremblant Ski Club “Gate Bashers”
• 1995: Named Instructor of the Year, Mont Tremblant Ski School (Quebec); continued coaching Mont Tremblant Club Performance and “Gate Bashers”
• 1996: Final year coaching Mont Tremblant Club Performance and “Gate Bashers”

Note: The information gathered in this biography was compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments. Copyright © Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum. For personal and/or educational use only. All rights reserved.