Hall of Famer
William B. Thompson
Bill Thompson was one of Canada’s most influential figures during the formative years of organized skiing in the country.
From 1934 to 1936, amid political turbulence between eastern and western factions, he served as president of the Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA), founded in 1921. His leadership was pivotal in healing this divide, expanding the national organization from 19 to 62 clubs across Canada. Working with western leaders Kennington Hague and Nels Nelson, Thompson helped develop an improved organizational structure, establishing a national “zone” system that continues in modified form today.
In 1934, he affiliated organized skiing with Canada’s governing body for amateur sport, the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada (AAU of C), securing official recognition for CASA as the country’s skiing governing body. During his presidency, he created a “Committee on Ski Instruction,” which later became the independent Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (CSIA), responsible for ski instruction programs across Canada.
Thompson also chaired the Canadian Olympic Ski Team Committee, overseeing funding for the national team sent to the 1936 Olympic Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany—the first Olympics to feature separate slalom and downhill alpine events.
As a competitor, Thompson represented Canada at the 1928 Olympic Winter Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland, competing in the 18-kilometre cross-country event where he placed 37th—the first Canadian to finish.
Born in Montreal, Que., on May 18, 1905, William Thompson was a founding member and the first president of the renowned Red Birds Ski Club, affiliated with McGill University. He served as honorary coach of the McGill University Ski Team from 1929 to 1936 and was team captain in 1926 and 1927. During the same period, he was secretary of the International Intercollegiate Winter Sports Union.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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1923 – 1st, Montreal high schools annual cross-country and relay skiing championships; member of winning Westmount High School team
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1924–27 – 1st, Montreal Annual Mount Royal cross-country ski race (three consecutive years); 5th, ski jumping, International College Skiing Championships
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1925 – 1st and 3rd, ski jumping; 3rd, annual Dartmouth Winter Carnival
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1926 – 1st, Annual College Week Ski Championships, Lake Placid, N.Y.
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1927 – 1st, Annual College Week Ski Championships, Lake Placid, N.Y.; 2nd, annual Dartmouth Winter Carnival; 2nd overall, Canadian Championships, 10-mile cross-country
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.
H.P. Douglas – far left W.B. Thompson – 2nd from left. CSHFM Collection.
1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games [L to R]: W.B. Thompson, Merritt Putnam, Sepp Muehlbauer (captain of Swiss team), H.P. Douglas (manager), Gérald Dupuis. CSHFM Collection.
![1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games [L to R]: H.P. Douglas (manager), Gérald Dupuis, W.B. Thompson, Merritt Putnam,?, Sepp Muehlbauer (captain of Swiss team).](https://skimuseum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/sm_P2003-4-55_OWG_1928.jpg)
1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games [L to R]: H.P. Douglas (manager), Gérald Dupuis, W.B. Thompson, Merritt Putnam,?, Sepp Muehlbauer (captain of Swiss team). CSHFM Collection.
W.B. Thompson near finish line of 18km cross country skiing event at 1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games. CSHFM Collection.
W.B. Thompson on board RMS Arabic travelling to 1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games. CSHFM Collection.
W.B. Thompson on board RMS Arabic travelling to 1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games. CSHFM Collection.
W.B. Thompson on board RMS Arabic travelling to 1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games. CSHFM Collection.
From Paris to London, on way to 1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games. W.B. Thompson, Merritt Putnam. CSHFM Collection.
From Paris to London, on way to 1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games. W.B.Thompson – 2nd from left Merritt Putnam – far right. CSHFM Collection.
![1928 Canadian Olympic Ski Team [L to R]: Leonard Lehan, Gérald Dupuis, W.B. Thompson.](https://skimuseum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/sm_81-9-1-2_LLehan_GDupuis_WBThompson_1928_OWG.jpg)
1928 Canadian Olympic Ski Team [L to R]: Leonard Lehan, Gérald Dupuis, W.B. Thompson. CSHFM Collection.
1928 Canadian Olympic Ski Team [L to R]: Gérald Dupuis, Leonard Lehan, W.B.Thompson, Merritt Putnam, H.P. Douglas (manager). 1927-28 Canadian Ski Annual.
![1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games [L to R]: W.B. Thompson, Sepp Muehlbauer (captain of Swiss team), H.P. Douglas (manager), Gérald Dupuis.](https://skimuseum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/sm_P2003-4-37_WBThompson_Muehlbauer_HPDouglas_GDupuis.jpg)
1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games [L to R]: W.B. Thompson, Sepp Muehlbauer (captain of Swiss team), H.P. Douglas (manager), Gérald Dupuis. CSHFM Collection.
McGill Intercollegiate Team Seigneury Club [L to R]: Col. Bovey, W.B. Thompson, Bob Patterson, W.Billingsly (manager), Bill Ball, Ray Stott (snowshoer), Jack Houghton, Peter Renold, Walter Dorken, Col. Stack. Front row: Frank Campbell, Bill Tait, Major Forres, ?, ?, Ron Deaton c. 1933. Associated Screen News Limited / F8060-46.
W.B. Thompson – far left. CSHFM Collection.
[L to R]: Rae Grinnell (inductee), W.B. Thompson, and Canadian Ski Museum Chair, Bill Tindale, at 1987 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Photo A. Irwin.
![1983 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony [L to R]: W.B. Thompson, Fred Hall's son](https://skimuseum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/sm_83-29-1-27_WBThompson_FredHalls_son_1983CSHF-e1621621379648.jpg)
1983 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony [L to R]: W.B. Thompson, Fred Hall’s son. CSHFM Collection.
1983 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony [L to R]: Sage German, W.B. Thompson, Martha Thompson. CSHFM Collection.
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