Francois Pichard, O.C.

From 1933 until the late 1970s, François Pichard’s contribution to skiing in Quebec was unparalleled.

In 1933, he founded the Club de ski Le Montagnard de Lévis and, the following year, played a key role in forming the Saint Lawrence Valley Zone of the Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA). He served as its president for 11 years, from 1939 to 1949, and again in 1970, vigorously promoting the development of the sport — especially competition.

In 1937, François was a director of the Quebec Winter Sports Association, established to develop Mont St-Castin. In 1944, he helped evaluate Mont Ste-Anne for competition, identifying potential slalom and downhill courses for the 1947 Canadian ski championships. He later presided over those championships, held at Mont Ste-Anne, Lac Beauport and Valcartier.

He continued to play a key role in the development of Mont Ste-Anne. In 1964, he participated in evaluating potential trails and ski lift routes. In 1967, he coordinated Nordic events when Mont Ste-Marie hosted the Canadian Winter Games. He also chaired the coordinating committee for World Cup alpine events in 1969, 1971 and 1973, and held the same role for the Canadian ski jumping events in 1970. In 1979, he served as chief of protocol for the World Junior Nordic Championships, also at Mont Ste-Anne.

From 1944 to 1946, François was involved in developing a 60-mile ski trail system between Lac Beauport and Mont Ste-Anne known as “La Piste du Caribou.” The system was later abandoned due to lack of use.

From 1945 to 1951, he served as vice-president of both the CASA and the Canadian Olympic Association. In the latter role, he was responsible for selecting Canada’s Nordic team for the 1948 Olympic Winter Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland. During his time with CASA, he also helped found the Gaspé Zone.

In 1950, François was a founding member and acting president of the Quebec Division of CASA, serving as its vice-president in 1963 and as a director in 1969. He also represented Canada at several Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) events in Europe.

From 1955 to 1957, he served as president of the Society for the Advancement of Skiing in Quebec. For 10 years, he held executive roles — and taught — with a society promoting ski trails in Quebec. The group provided about 125,000 hours of free instruction to youth aged eight to 14 on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City.

From 1969 to 1970, François was president of Skibec, originally known as the St. Lawrence Valley Ski Zone. In 1971, he founded Quebec’s junior ski jumping organization and spent many years developing ski school programs for children in the province.

For his decades of voluntary service and contributions to sport, François was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1979.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1933 – Founded the Club de ski Le Montagnard de Lévis.
• 1934 – Helped establish the Saint Lawrence Valley Zone of the Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA).
• 1939 – President, Saint Lawrence Valley Zone, CASA.
• 1937 – Director, Quebec Winter Sports Association; contributed to development of Mont St-Castin.
• 1944 – Evaluated Mont Ste-Anne for competition; identified courses for 1947 Canadian ski championships.
• 1947 – Presided over Canadian ski championships at Mont Ste-Anne, Lac Beauport and Valcartier.
• 1944–46 – Developed “La Piste du Caribou” ski trail system between Lac Beauport and Mont Ste-Anne.
• 1945–51 – Vice-president, CASA and Canadian Olympic Association; selected Canada’s Nordic team for 1948 Olympic Winter Games.
• 1950 – Founding member and acting president, Quebec Division, CASA.
• 1955–57 – President, Society for the Advancement of Skiing in Quebec.
• 1963 – Vice-president, Quebec Division, CASA.
• 1964 – Evaluated trails and lift routes for Mont Ste-Anne.
• 1967 – Coordinated Nordic events for Canadian Winter Games at Mont Ste-Marie.
• 1969–70 – President, Skibec (formerly St. Lawrence Valley Ski Zone).
• 1969, 1971, 1973 – Chaired coordinating committee for World Cup alpine events at Mont Ste-Anne.
• 1970 – Chaired coordinating committee for Canadian ski jumping events.
• 1971 – Founded Quebec’s junior ski jumping organization.
• 1979 – Chief of protocol, World Junior Nordic Championships at Mont Ste-Anne; named a Member of the Order of Canada.

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.