Roger Langley

Roger Langley’s interest in skiing began in 1924 when, as a teacher at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts, USA he set up a slalom course on a hill close to the school which led to the establishment of the first junior ski program in the United States. At that time, alpine competition, both Downhill and Slalom, was virtually unknown outside of Europe. From this beginning came a long and distinguished involvement in the sport spanning over four decades.

An American, he showed a keen interest in the development of skiing in Canada.

From 1936 – 1953, he attended most of the meetings of the Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA) forging formidable bonds of friendship and mutual cooperation. In turn, delegates from the CASA would attend the annual meetings of the United States National Ski Association (NSA), exchanging ideas and both giving and receiving advice. One of the most beneficial ideas emerging from the relationship was the idea that launched the Canadian Ski Patrol System.

It was during the National Downhill and Slalom Championships held in Stowe, Vermont in March 1938, that Roger Langley met Charles Minot (“Minnie”) Dole, chair of preparations for the event. From that meeting came the idea for a National Ski Patrol which quickly became a reality. (It was the US National Ski Patrol system which supplied the men for the 10th Mountain Division, famed mountain troops of World War ll.

During the war years, Langley served his country on a committee advising the War Department on matters concerning winter warfare and equipment.) Shortly after, with the help and advice of Minot Dole, Douglas Firth launched the Canadian Ski Patrol System (CSPS) with Roger Langley becoming the 14th member of the CSPS.

Positions held
1925
Member of the United States Eastern Amateur Ski Association (EASA)

1929
Elected Vice-President of the United States Eastern Amateur Ski Association (EASA)

1930
Delegate to the US National Ski Association convention

1931
Examiner and certifier of US Ski Jumping Judges

1932-1936
Treasurer of the US National Ski Association

1936-1948
President of the US National Ski Association

1936-1956
Member of the United States Olympic Commitee

1936
Chairman, US Olympic Ski Team

1948, 1952, 1956
Secretary

1938
Conceived and established the United States National Ski Patrol (NSP). Appointed Minot Dole as Chairman of the NSP Committee.

1939
Received NSP Certificate No.1

1942
Received Canadian Ski Patrol System certificate No.14

1941-1956
Editor, American Ski Annual Editor, Eastern Ski Bulletin

1946-1952
Vice-President of the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS)

1948-1956
Executive Secretary of the US National Ski Association

1956-1958
President of the United States Eastern Amateur Ski Association

Awards
1936
Julius Blegen Trophy for Contributions to United States skiing

1945
Awarded National Ski Patrol Trophy

1952
American Ski trophy,
1952-1953, “for his contribution to the sport of skiing 1952-1953”

1954
Elected to the United States Ski Hall of Fame at Ishpeming. Michigan, USA
Awarded American Ski Trophy for contributions to US skiing

1958
Awarded Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) Diploma of Merit for services in the development of skiing and assistance in FIS activities including FIS Congresses in Pau, France (1946), Schevingen, Holland (1948), Oslo, Norway (1950), Innsbruck, Austria (1954)

1986
Awarded a plaque by the US National Ski Patrol System proclaiming him “Father of American Skiing” and introducing the Roger F. Langley Award for Outstanding Ski Patroller representing the Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island Region.

Langley was actively involved in skiing for 4-decades and was the President of the American Ski Association from 1936 to 1948. A “Mr Skiing” plaque awarded by the National Ski Association and he was elected to the United States Skiing Hall of Fame on February 21, 1958.

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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