Lorne O’Connor

Lorne O’Connor’s lifelong commitment to alpine skiing—as a national competitor, instructor, official and international race director—made him a respected leader in Canadian and international ski sport.

Lorne’s involvement in skiing spanned decades, with influence at nearly every level of the sport.

By 1961, he was already a certified Level IV instructor and Level II coach with the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation. That same year, he was appointed a director and vice-president of the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA). While serving with the CSIA, he also led several prominent ski schools: Blue Mountain Resorts in Collingwood, Ont. (1961–65), Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood, Ore. (1965–67), and the Mount Hood Summer Racing School (1965–67). He was named a life member of the CSIA in 1986.

From 1968 to 1970, Lorne served as executive director for Vancouver’s bid to host the 1976 Olympic Winter Games—a bid that was ultimately unsuccessful, with the Games awarded to Innsbruck, Austria. During that time, he also authored the Official Canadian Ski Technique, published in 1968.

From 1971 to 1976, he worked as technical director of the Canadian Ski Association, travelling across the country to upgrade the technical skills of race officials and event organizers. Beginning in 1973, he also served on Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) subcommittees, including those responsible for alpine courses and homologation standards.

One of his most impactful contributions came during the preparation for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Alta. Lorne guidance was instrumental in ensuring the success of the alpine skiing events.

As a FIS homologation inspector, he served on juries for elite-level races around the world, including several world championships. In 1989, he was named technical delegate for all women’s events at the World Alpine Ski Championships in Vail and Beaver Creek, Colo.

Earlier in his career, Lorne O’Connor competed internationally for Canada in 1958 and 1959, racing in downhill, giant slalom and slalom across Europe in Austria, France, Germany, Norway and Switzerland. He was also selected to the Canadian alpine team for the 1960 Olympic Winter Games in Squaw Valley, Calif., but was unable to compete due to injury.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1957 – 1st place, giant slalom, Grouse Mountain, Vancouver, B.C.; 1st place, downhill, Red Mountain, Rossland; 2nd place, giant slalom, Daffodil Cup, Mt Rainer, Washington, USA
• 1958 – 2nd place, downhill, Golden Rose, Mt. Hood, Oregon, USA
• 1959 – 1st place, downhill, Golden Rose, Mt. Hood, Oregon, USA
• 1960 – 1st place, giant slalom, Heather Cup, Mt. Baker, USA; 1st place, downhill, Golden Rose, Mt. Hood, Oregon, USA
• 1961 – 1st place, slalom, Tyee Slalom, Grouse Mountain, Vancouver; 1st place, GS, Ryan Cup, Mt. Tremblant

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.