Russell Goodman

Born in 1953, Russell Goodman grew up in Pointe-Claire, Que., as part of a family steeped in skiing tradition. His parents, Aubry and Joan, were avid skiers and introduced their three sons — Peter, Russell and Gary — to the slopes at a young age. By the mid-1960s, Russell was training under elite coaches and competing in junior championships in the Laurentians. In 1966, he attended a groundbreaking summer training camp on Mount Hood, Ore., led by Canadian skiing legend Ernie McCulloch.

By 1967, all three Goodman brothers had joined the Laurentian Ski Division team under coaches Jean-Guy Brunet and Bob Gilmour. While Canada’s emphasis shifted toward downhill racing in the 1970s, Russell distinguished himself as a slalom specialist. After a season on the Can-Am team and further European training, he emerged as one of Canada’s top technical skiers.

Goodman competed on the Canadian national alpine team from 1968 to 1975. His standout result came at the 1974 World Championships, where he placed 10th in the slalom at St. Moritz — the best Canadian men’s slalom finish at the worlds in the World Cup era at that time. He left the national team in 1975 to return to McGill University, where he completed his studies.

Married to Sarah Ellwood in 1979, Goodman raised three children — Geoffrey, Peter and Anna — all of whom skied competitively. Anna went on to represent Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

In his post-racing career, Goodman became a builder of Canadian ski racing. He co-founded Club Elite Tremblant, launched elite youth programs, mentored athletes and sponsored a Canadian under-16 team competing annually in Europe. He and his wife combine financial support with hands-on mentoring and travel with the team. Goodman remains an avid skier, logging about 85 days on the slopes last season.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1966 — Attended first summer training camp on Mount Hood, Ore., under Ernie McCulloch
• 1967 — Joined Laurentian Ski Division team with brothers Peter and Gary
• 1968–1975 — Member of the Canadian national alpine team
• 1974 — 10th place, slalom, World Championships, St. Moritz — best Canadian slalom result at the worlds in the World Cup era at that time
• 1975 — Left national team to complete studies at McGill University
• Co-founder, Club Elite Tremblant — Developed youth racers for Mont-Tremblant, Quebec and Canadian teams
• Sponsor and mentor — Canadian under-16 alpine ski team competing annually in Europe
• Family legacy — Daughter Anna Goodman, nine years on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, Olympian in Vancouver 2010

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.