Louis Grimes

Louis Grimes started to ski at the age of 8-years and came into prominence in the 1920s, first through his involvement in the instruction of juvenile and junior racers and later, by 1924, as a cross-country racer in the Ottawa-Gatineau region as a member of the Ottawa Ski Club. He was the three-time winner of the annual City of Ottawa cross-country ski championships in 1924, ’25 and ’26. From 1924 to 1930 he had creditable finishes in several Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA) Championship races placing in the top ten on four occasions. He also competed in a number of races in the USA.

In 1932, he was appointed Honorary Coach and Assistant Manager (working for the legendary Sigurd Lockeberg) of Canada’s Olympic Ski Team at the Third Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid, New York State. He also received an additional appointment as an official for the Olympic Ski Jumping events.

From 1932 until 1937 he was a member of the Technical Board of the Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA). He was subsequently appointed Vice-Chairman of the Technical Board – Central Division in 1939. He was also actively involved in the promotion of skiing by preparing and reporting competition results and skiing news for publication in eastern Canadian newspapers. He became a founding member of the Gatineau Ski Zone in 1934 and served as its Chairman from 1935 to 1937.

In addition to these responsibilities, he served as a Director of the Ottawa Ski Club during its years of rapid expansion and rising prestige in the world of skiing. In 1932, he became associated with the prestigious Seigniory Club in Montebello, Quebec and directed ski operations there until 1957.

Ten years later, in 1967, he became involved as a Director in the founding of the Canadian Ski Museum in Ottawa. With the establishment of the Honour Roll of Canadian Skiing in 1979, he was elected Committee Chairman overseeing the first inductees at an historic gala event on 18 March 1982 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Leadership, competitive drive, the pursuit of excellence, compassion for others and an attention to detail were among other commendable attributes which characterized the many unselfish contributions Louis Grimes made to the betterment of skiing in Canada.

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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