Peter Duncan

Born in Sherbrooke, Que., Peter Duncan joined the Canadian national alpine ski team in 1960 at age 16 and competed nationally and internationally for the next decade before retiring in 1970. Known for his sense of humour and leadership, Duncan was elected team captain by his national teammates during the final years of his competitive career.

He represented Canada at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, competing in all men’s alpine skiing events. He returned for the 1968 Winter Olympics, once again racing in all alpine disciplines.

Upon retiring, Duncan received the John Semmelink Memorial Award, given to “the skier who through sportsmanship, conduct and ability best represents Canada in international competition.” He later served as an Olympic torchbearer during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

Outside of competition, Duncan has maintained a deep connection with Mont-Tremblant. He still skis there, especially savouring January when snowmaking combined with natural snowfall provides excellent conditions. His affection for the mountain is tied to personal history: his father, Charlie Duncan, cleared the “Duncan” trail with his own hands in earlier years of Tremblant’s development. Duncan remembers that he could ski it blindfolded.

He also recalls being coached by Ernie McCulloch, head of Tremblant Ski School in the 1950s, and remembers how trails were once groomed on snowshoes, shovel in hand—small details that mark the mountain’s evolution in everything from snowmaking to ski gear and clientele.

Duncan has pursued several roles beyond athlete: pro skier, TV ski commentator and businessman. He says that for him skiing has always meant a lifestyle rather than just a sport.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1962 — Competed for Canada at the FIS World Championships, Chamonix, France
• 1964 — 10th place in combined downhill and slalom, Winter Olympics, Innsbruck, Austria; Canada’s top male alpine competitor at the Games; first place in Adams Memorial and Quebec Kandahar races
• 1965 — First place, Peter Campbell Memorial event
• 1966 — First place, GS race in Bariloche, Chile; fifth place, Du Maurier slalom
• 1967 — Placed in the top 15 in 13 major events, including first place in the Quebec Kandahar
• 1968–69 — Earned top International Ski Federation (FIS) rating among Canadians; highest FIS points awarded to a Canadian since the system’s introduction
• 1969–70 — Won the prestigious Roch Cup — first Canadian male in 17 years to do so — with a first-place finish in downhill and third in slalom
• 1986 — Inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame, Athlete category
• 2010 — Torchbearer, Winter Olympics torch relay

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.