Hall of Famer
Fred Hall
Affiliated Discipline(s):
Alpine, Cross-Country, Jumping
Date of Birth / Death:
1903 - 1998
Hometown:
Toronto, ON
Active Career Period:
1920-1936
Induction CSHF:
1983
Induction Category:
Alpine, Cross-Country, Jumping, Official, Builder
Fred Hall was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1903 and started skiing in 1920 in an area near the Old Beltline right-of-way in the Don Valley. In 1922, he moved his ski activities to High Park and in 1924 became a charter member of the Toronto Ski Club. In 1926 he was appointed Chairman of Trails at the new Summit property of the Club. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art, he drew and made up a colored trail map of the area that was used by Summit skiers for years.
Later he designed many of the covers for the “Ski Runner” the local publication of the Club. He edited the “Ski Runner” from 1929 to 1936 making it one of the most popular ski publications in Canada. His writing ability and sense of humor was much appreciated by skiers of that era.
1933
He designed the Thorncliffe ski jump for the club and used it as a competitor for several years
1936
He was elected President at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA) in Toronto on February 21.
Upon his appointment to the CASA, he discovered that the association had no money and the clubs were badly divided in terms of how the CASA should operate. During the next several years his leadership and hard work developed the organization into a well-financed national body.
After the Germans invaded Norway in the early days of World War ll, the National Ski Associations in North and South America withdrew from the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) and formed the Ski Union of the Americas. Fred Hall was elected its first President. Later, and by then deeply involved in technical defense work at Petawawa, Ontario, he was forced to resign from both positions.
Fred Hall was an Honorary Life Member of the Toronto Ski Club the International Ski Federation the National Ski Association of America and the Southern Ontario Division of the CASA. He was also Honorary President of the Toronto Ski Club.
Over many years Fred Hall contributed much to the cause of skiing in Canada and his efforts could be described as being largely instrumental in making the organization of skiing in Canada the vital force it is today.
Please Note: The ski information gathered here is compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments.
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[L to R]: Doug Firth, Harry Pangman, Fred Hall, Betty Grinnell, Rae Grinnell. CSHFM Collection.
Fred Hall (right) with son at Lake Louise, AB. CSHFM Collection.
1988 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony [L to R]: Robert Gooch, Ross Larway, Fred Hall. CSHFM Collection.
1988 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony [L to R]: Robert Gooch, Ray Grinnell, Ross Larway, Fred Hall, Mrs. Pangman, Harry Pangman, Louis Grimes. CSHFM Collection.
1983 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Calgary Petroleum Club [L to R]: ?, Fred Hall, Martha Thompson. CSHFM Collection.
1983 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Calgary Petroleum Club. [L to R]: Mart Karnahan, Senator Ray Perrault, Fred Hall, Louis Grimes. CSHFM Collection.
Fred Hall (podium) received the award made to Roger Langley, who was the 1st American inducted to the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame, with recognition for his organization of the American Ski Patrol, and assistance & experience in forming a similar well recognized service to Canadian skiers. Unfortunately, ill health prevented his attendance & he was represented by American skiing friend, Ed Newell (right). CSHFM Collection.
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