Fred Urquhart

As president of the Laurentian Zone from 1946 to 1948—the years immediately following the Second World War—Fred Urquhart was instrumental in reviving an almost dormant zone into a thriving hub for ski racing, securing its position as Canada’s leading area for competition during that era.

Urquhart helped develop internationally recognized races such as the Ryan Cup, the Taschereau and the Kandahar, which offered unprecedented levels of quality and intense competition thanks to his organizational skills.

His abilities were quickly recognized. In 1947, he was elected president of the Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA), a role he held until 1949. In the post-war period, when CASA was in disarray, Urquhart’s leadership helped the organization recover and look forward to the future with confidence.

After retiring, he managed one of the largest and most successful national alpine teams ever sent to compete internationally, in Aspen, Colo. One of the team members, Ernie McCulloch—later described as “skier of the half-century”—finished fourth in the giant slalom.

Urquhart also founded the Ptarmigan Ski Club, focused primarily on ski racing. In 1947, four club members placed in the top 10 at the Canadian championships. Competitors from the club raced across North America with such success that the best were selected to represent Canada at the 1948 Olympic Winter Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and on the Fédération internationale de ski (FIS) team in 1950.

In the early 1950s, working with his close friend, the legendary Herman Smith-Johannsen, Urquhart helped introduce the Jackrabbit League, a training program designed to encourage young skiers to take up cross-country skiing.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1946–48 – President, Laurentian Zone, Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA); revitalized the zone after the Second World War.
• 1947–49 – President, CASA; led the organization’s post-war recovery.
• 1947 – Founded the Ptarmigan Ski Club; four members placed in the top 10 at the Canadian championships.
• 1948 – Ptarmigan Ski Club athletes represented Canada at the Olympic Winter Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
• 1950 – Ptarmigan Ski Club athletes named to the Canadian FIS team.
• Early 1950s – Co-founded the Jackrabbit League with Herman Smith-Johannsen to promote cross-country skiing for youth.

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.