Harry Pangman

Harry Pangman was a pioneering competitor, organizer and advocate for cross-country and alpine skiing in Quebec, contributing to the sport at every level for more than four decades.

It was only after graduating from McGill University that Pangman began skiing competitively — winning his first Quebec 18-kilometre cross-country race in 1931. The following year, he represented Canada at the 1932 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y., placing 35th in cross-country and becoming the first Canadian to finish the event.

While excelling as a competitor, Pangman also stood out as a dedicated organizer and leader in the ski community. He served with distinction at the club, zone, provincial and national levels.

In 1928, he co-founded the Red Birds Ski Club and served as its secretary-treasurer. As president from 1934 to 1936, he helped shape the club’s legacy and chaired the Laurentian Zone of the Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA).

Among his key contributions, Pangman arranged financing and helped cut alpine racing trails across the Laurentians — including at Mont Tremblant — for CASA’s Laurentian Zone in 1934. Two years later, alongside the late Dr. W.L. Ball, he helped establish the first Ski Instructors’ Alliance in the region.

From 1937 to 1939, Pangman served as eastern vice-president of CASA. His most notable national role came as chair of the Canadian selection committee for the 1948 Olympic Winter Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

In 1975, he helped organize a special Sunday morning ski train on the Canadian Pacific Railway from Montreal to St-Jovite, Que., in honour of Canadian ski legend Herman “Jackrabbit” Smith-Johannsen’s 100th birthday.

A thoughtful advocate for the sport, Pangman also contributed articles to the Canadian Ski Annual, including New Trails Developed in the Laurentians (1934) and Get Out and Run (1935).

Career Highlights

• 1931 – First place, Quebec 18 km cross-country championships
• 1932 – First place, Quebec slalom championships, Seigniory Club, Que.; first place, downhill, Quebec Kandahar, Mont Tremblant, Que.; second place, slalom, Quebec Kandahar, Mont Tremblant, Que.
• 1933 – Fourth place, International University Ski Championships cross-country, St. Moritz, Switzerland; coach of McGill ski team and member of winning five-person relay team at St. Moritz championships
• 1935 – Second place, 50 km cross-country race, Laurentian Zone, Que.
• 1936 – Team manager and coach, Canadian men’s and women’s teams, Olympic Winter Games, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
• 1937 – Second place, 18 km langlauf, Laurentian Zone, Que.; first place, 18 km langlauf, Ste-Agathe, Que.
• 1938 – First place, Quebec 18 km langlauf, Lac Beauport, Que.
• 1939 – Second place, slalom, Quebec championships
• 1940 – First place, downhill and slalom combined, Quebec championships, Mt. Baldy, Que.

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.