Dave Pym

Dave Pym’s exceptional contributions to skiing in Canada have significantly influenced the country’s growth as an elite snowsport nation.

Over the past 60 years, Dave has worn many hats in Canadian skiing. Growing up in Vancouver, he discovered an old pair of Gresvig wooden skis in a friend’s shed in his early teens. He taught himself the basics on Hollyburn Mountain, where he first saw alpine ski racers training, and later at Mt. Seymour, where he watched U.S. star Bud Werner in his prime.

In 1970, Dave took his children to Mt. Seymour for a sunny winter afternoon and leased a log cabin. The family quickly became involved in the Nancy Greene Ski League drawn in by their shared love of the sport. Outspoken and engaged, he soon became involved in the revival of the then-declining Mt. Seymour Ski Club, serving as president. He was encouraged by Billie Bartley in the Division office, as well as Canadian Ski Hall of Fame members Lorne O’Connor and Dr. Peter Andrews.

Dave’s willingness to contribute — combined with his knowledge and passion for skiing — led to roles as a race official in the Du Maurier, Pontiac Cup and other alpine races prior to the arrival of the World Cup in Canada. He became involved in training alpine officials and went on to lead the training and assignment of alpine Technical Delegates (TDs) in Canada for 15 years.

He became the first North American invited to serve as TD at the famed Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbühel, Austria — a role he held for three consecutive years, an unprecedented achievement in the heart of European downhill skiing.

When Canadian skiing needed representation on key International Ski Federation (FIS) committees in the late 1980s, Dave answered the call, serving on several alpine technical committees. He was also the men’s alpine TD at the 1998 Nagano Olympic Winter Games.

Dave chaired Alpine Canada Alpin’s Canadian Olympic Winter Games evaluation team, tasked with assessing all proposed Canadian locations for 2010, and served on the ACA board.

The Canadian Snowsports Association recognized Dave’s contributions by presenting him with the Pat Ramage Award in 2001–02, as well as a special award in June 2002 “in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the sport of skiing in Canada and throughout the world.”

Alongside his ski achievements, Dave co-founded and built a world-leading risk management firm, later acquired by a major company. The sale allowed him to dedicate more time to organizing ski activities and applying his legal and insurance expertise to snow sport programs. He served as Managing Director of the Canadian Snowsports Association for 20 years, continuing in the role until the fall of 2024 and remaining actively involved until his passing in January 2025.

A former racer, ski instructor, ski patroller, coach, volunteer, ski club executive, race organizer, international committee member, and a go-to source for snowsport  knowledge, Dave dedicated his life to advancing the development and safety of snowsports in Canada and beyond.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1970s–80s – Race official for Du Maurier, Pontiac Cup and other alpine events; trained alpine officials; led training and assignment of alpine Technical Delegates (TDs) in Canada for 15 years
• 1980s – Represented Canada on multiple International Ski Federation (FIS) alpine committees
• 1990s – First North American appointed as TD for the Hahnenkamm downhill, Kitzbühel, Austria; served in role for three consecutive years
• 1998 – Men’s alpine TD, Olympic Winter Games, Nagano, Japan
• 2001–02 – Received Pat Ramage Award from the Canadian Snowsports Association
• 2002 – Honoured by CSA with special award “In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the sport of skiing in Canada and throughout the world”
• 2000s – Chaired Alpine Canada Alpin’s Canadian Olympic Winter Games evaluation team; served on ACA board; Managing Director of Canadian Snowsports Association

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.