Doug Pfeiffer

Doug Pfeiffer — ski instructor, technician, journalist and tireless advocate for the sport — is one of the legends of modern alpine skiing.

Born in 1927 in Quebec City, Pfeiffer began his ski career as an instructor in 1945 under the guidance of ski pioneers at Chalet Cochand, Que. He moved on to John Fripp’s ski school at Mont Tremblant in 1946 and, a year later, earned his ski instructor certification under Réal Charette at the Snow Eagles Ski School at Grey Rocks Inn in Sainte-Jovite, Que.

In 1950, Doug moved to Squaw Valley, Calif., to apprentice with famed French ski innovator Émile Allais, originator of the “pure parallel” skiing technique. Three years later, he was named co-director of the ski school at Snow Summit, a developing resort near Los Angeles.

Always an eager student of skiing technique and a stylist in his own right, Doug was inspired by Dr. Fritz Reuel’s 1929 book Possibilities in Skiing. It fuelled his ongoing experimentation, including freestyle moves still in use today. His knowledge culminated in the 1958 publication of Skiing with Pfeiffer, described as “a ground-breaking how-to-ski book,” which included an illustrated chapter on freestyle skiing stunts.

Doug remained at Snow Summit for 10 years, coaching young athletes — several of whom would go on to represent the U.S. national and Olympic ski teams.

In 1963, he shifted direction, becoming national editor of the influential Skiing magazine. Three years later, he was appointed editor-in-chief of Skiing and three affiliated publications. A prolific — and often provocative — writer, his editorial leadership sparked industry-wide debate and reform. During his tenure, the magazine’s circulation grew from 100,000 to 480,000.

Doug was also a master promoter. He conducted open-ended radio interviews syndicated to nearly 500 stations, produced a “how to ski” television series, and was a regular speaker at ski shows across the U.S. By 1972, he was so well known he was chosen as a commentator for the nationally televised Killy Challenge series.

He played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and launching freestyle skiing competition — a format built for television that, over three years, helped transform and popularize the sport. It also created valuable marketing opportunities for the ski industry. Doug’s influence was so far-reaching he was once called “the voice of skiing.”

His friend Ben Rinaldo summed up his legacy: “Few people in the world of skiing, perhaps other than Sir Arnold Lunn, can claim to have invented a whole new way of expressing and satisfying a … creative human drive.”

While Doug’s public profile was immense, his behind-the-scenes contributions were equally significant. In 1961, he was a founding director of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA), serving until 1966. Before that, from 1952 to 1961, he was president and examiner for the Far West Ski Instructors Association, where he restructured certification standards and helped lay the groundwork for national recognition.

In 1987, Doug was inducted into the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame and, in 1998, in its 50th anniversary issue, Skiing credited him with being one of the 25 most influential people in the sport in the previous half-century.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1945 – Began ski instruction career at Chalet Cochand, Que.
• 1946 – Joined John Fripp’s ski school at Mont Tremblant, Que.
• 1947 – Earned ski instructor certification under Réal Charette at the Snow Eagles Ski School, Grey Rocks Inn, Sainte-Jovite, Que.
• 1950 – Apprenticed with Émile Allais at Squaw Valley, Calif.
• 1953 – Named co-director of the ski school at Snow Summit, Calif.
• 1958 – Published Skiing with Pfeiffer, a groundbreaking instructional book that included freestyle skiing techniques.
• 1961 – Founding director, Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA), serving until 1966.
• 1963 – Appointed national editor of Skiing magazine.
• 1966 – Became editor-in-chief of Skiing and three affiliated publications.
• 1972 – Served as commentator for the nationally televised Killy Challenge series.
• 1970s – Played key role in conceptualizing and launching freestyle skiing competitions.
• 1987 – Inducted into the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame.
• 1998 – Named one of the 25 most influential people in skiing in the previous half-century by Skiing magazine.

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.