Hall of Famer
Jim Hunter
“Jungle” Jim Hunter rose to worldwide fame in the 1970s with his fearless, daring style on the race course, setting the standard for a younger generation of downhill skiers who later became known as the “Crazy Canucks.”
A member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team from 1970 to 1977, Hunter delivered consistent results in World Cup races, finishing in the top 10 on 17 occasions between 1972 and 1977. He excelled in both downhill and combined events, with seven top-10 finishes in downhill and five in combined. His best result came in 1976 when he placed third at the famed Lauberhorn World Cup in Wengen, Switzerland. In 1972, he became the first Canadian male skier to win a world championship bronze medal in the combined (downhill, giant slalom and slalom) at Sapporo, Japan, awarded by the International Ski Federation (FIS).
Hunter represented Canada at two Olympic Winter Games, competing in Sapporo in 1972 and Innsbruck, Austria in 1976. His influential style and pioneering spirit left a lasting impact on Canadian downhill skiing, inspiring future generations to push the boundaries and excel in the sport.
On June 18, 1977, he received the John Semmelink Memorial Award from the Canadian Ski Association for sportsmanship, conduct and ability that best represented Canada in international competition.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 1971 — 1st giant slalom, Canadian Nationals, Whistler Mountain, B.C.; 3rd giant slalom, Roch Cup, U.S. National Competition.
- 1972 — 3rd combined, Winter Olympic Games, Sapporo, Japan; 3rd downhill, World Cup, Wengen, Switzerland; 2nd combined, World Cup, Kitzbühel, Austria; 3rd dual slalom, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que.; three-time gold medallist (giant slalom, slalom, combined), Canadian Nationals, Bromont, Que.
- 1977 — 1st giant slalom, Canadian Championships, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que.; 2nd slalom, Canadian Championships, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que.; 1st combined events, Shell Cup Canadian National Championships, Mont-Sainte-Marie, Que.
Note: Information compiled from several sources; may not include all accomplishments. © Canadian Ski Museum & Hall of Fame. For personal/educational use only. All rights reserved.
Canadian Olympic Alpine Ski team at 1976 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria [L to R]: Jim Hunter, Jane Helder (physiotherapist), Kathy Kreiner, Andrzej Kozbial (alpine program director), Laurie Kreiner, Ken Read, Betsy Clifford, Dave Murray, Scott Henderson (head coach-men), Wayne Gruden (coach), Luc Dubois (manager), Robert Safrata, Lynden McIntosh (coach), Dr. Bernie Lalonde (head coach-women). Alpine Canada Alpin.
Jim Hunter (right). Alpine Canada Alpin.
‘Jungle’ Jim Hunter signing autographs for ski fans. Alpine Canada Alpin.
‘Jungle’ Jim Hunter. Alpine Canada Alpin.
Jim Hunter. Alpine Canada Alpin.
![National Alpine Ski Team c.1970 [L to R]: Brodie Lut (coach), Jim Hunter, Steve Podborski, Dave Murray, Gary Aiken, Dave Irwin, Ken Read, Scott Henderson (coach).](https://skimuseum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/sm_75-15-1-5_National_Men_Ski_Team-e1620155761822.jpg)
National Alpine Ski Team c.1970 [L to R]: Brodie Lut (coach), Jim Hunter, Steve Podborski, Dave Murray, Gary Aiken, Dave Irwin, Ken Read, Scott Henderson (coach). Canadian Ski Association – Alpine Office / Lolly Moss.
Jim Hunter (inductee) and Nancy Greene at 1987 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Photo A. Irwin.
Jim Hunter (right) with Canadian Ski Museum Chair, Bill Tindale, at 1987 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Photo A. Irwin.
1971-72 National Alpine Ski Team [L to R]: Nancy Greene, Reto Barrington, Russel Goodman, Diane Culver, ?, Doug Woodcock, Carolyn Oughton, ?, Derek Robbins, Diane Pratte, Paul Carson, Peter Bellos, Virginia Honeyman, Doug Temple, Luc Dubois (coach), Rick Hunter, Betsy Clifford, Aidan Ballantyne, Mike Culver, Judy Crawford, Al Raine (alpine program director), Jim Hunter, Robert Butler (coach), Don Lyon (coach). McLeod and Yee Photography / 9600-04.
National Alpine Ski Team 1971-72 [top row]: Doug Woodcock, Betsy Clifford, Judy Crawford, Kathy Kreiner, Diane Culver, Laurie Kreiner, Carolyn Oughton, Diane Pratte, Virginia Honeyman, Russel Goodman [middle row]: Luc Dubois (coach), Don Lyon (coach), Robert Butler (coach), Al Raine (Alpine Program Director) [bottom row]: Peter Bellos, Aidan Ballantyne, Jim Hunter, Rick Hunter, Doug Temple, Mike Culver, Derek Robbins, Reto Barrington, Paul Carson. D. Richard Houlding Photography, Toronto.
National Alpine Ski Team – October 1972 in Stelvio, Italy [L to R]: Carolyn Oughton, Virginian Honeyman, Kathy Kreiner, ?, Laurie Kreiner, Karen Cloutier, Diana Gibson, ?, Judy Crawford, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Mike Culver, ?, ?, Russell Goodman, ?, ?, Peter Ballos, ?, ?, ?, Jim Hunter, ?, ?, ?, ?. Alpine Canada Alpin.
How an unusual training method turned a farm kid into an Olympic Alpine Skier | Words of Olympians
In “Jungle Jim”, alpine skier Jim Hunter explains how a chance encounter with an Olympic legend inspired him to accomplish the impossible.
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