Quebec Air Force
Freestyle skiing in Canada was flourishing in the 1970s to the early 1990s, setting the stage for a motivated, creative and talented group of freestyle skiers from Quebec.
Hall of Famer
John Eaves
Affiliated Discipline(s):Freestyle
Hometown:Montreal, Que. / Toronto, ON / Calgary, AB
Active Career Period:1974 - 1982
Induction CSHF:1988
Induction Category:Freestyle, Freestyle Aerial
Son of Canadian Olympic skier Rhoda Wurtele, John Eaves was born in Montreal in 1953. John started skiing at age 2 and raced in the Laurentian Zone until age 13. He then competed professionally in freestyle skiing from 1973 to 1982 and won 42 World Cup events. He also won three World Aerial Skiing titles and three World Combined titles.
In terms of international competition, John Eaves was, arguably, one of the most successful skiers to represent Canada in the freestyle disciplines. He won 6 World Championships:
1977
Combined Freestyle Overall title
1978
Aerials and Combined Freestyle Overall title
1979
Aerials and Combined Freestyle Overall title
1980
Aerials
The 1980 – 1982 seasons were the years before his retirement but his results reflect no decline in his ability to compete at the world level. In 39 events during this period, he placed in the top 15 on 30 occasions.
Following retirement, he entertained audiences world-wide with his spectacular stunt skiing in, most notably, the 1981 film, ”For Your Eyes Only” when, as a double for actor Roger Moore playing the famous 007 spy hero James Bond, he skied down the iced bobsled run at Cortina, Italy at speeds of nearly 120 kilometre per hour.
In the film, White Magic, his talent was put to the test when he was required to ski icebergs in Iceland, skiing down 50 degree faces of 200 to 300 feet of sheer ice on skis modified with special “sawtooth” edges to allow them to grip.
In 1988 John Eaves produced and skied in his own film ”Skiers Dream”.
In 1995, John Eaves doubled for Jackie Chan in a film called First Strike. This time his stunts were performed on a snowboard. One of the dangerous stunts saw John jumping from a cliff and grabbing the skids of a hovering helicopter.
You will know John Eaves’ unique jump in front of a wall of fire in “Fire and Ice” — but John Eaves did a lot more great stunts for Willy Bogner’s movies. See below the video of the best of the best.
Please Note: The ski information gathered here is compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments.
Copyright © 2021, Canadian Ski Museum. For Personal/Educational use only. All Rights Reserved.
John Eaves in Action video
Willy Bogner Film // Best of John Eaves: John Eaves did a lot more great stunts for Willy Bogner's movies. Here's the best of the best.
John Eaves. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
John Eaves. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
John Eaves. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
John Eaves. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
John Eaves. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
John Eaves. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
John Eaves. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
John Eaves is 3rd from left, below the ‘Labatt’ sign. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
John Eaves wins 1978 Labatt Freestyle Combined event at Mt. Ste-Anne, QC. R. Bowie places 2nd. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
Inductee John Eaves and mother Rhoda Wurtele-Eaves (right) at 1988 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CSHFM Collection.
Rhoda Wurtele and (son) Inductee John Eaves at 1988 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CSHFM Collection.
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