Hall of Famer
Shirley Firth-Larsson
Along with her twin sister, Sharon, Shirley Firth-Larsson played a pivotal role in introducing skiing to Canada’s Indigenous peoples, particularly First Nations and Inuit communities. Her remarkable career stands as a testament to her dedication and exceptional talent, making her one of the most accomplished athletes in Canadian history.
Shirley and Sharon represented Canada on the national cross-country team for an unprecedented 17 consecutive years, competing in races on the World Cup circuit. Together, they amassed 79 medals at national championships across multiple distances. They also proudly represented Canada at four Olympic Winter Games — Sapporo, Japan, in 1972; Innsbruck, Austria, in 1976; Lake Placid, N.Y., in 1980; and Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, in 1984.
Firth-Larsson’s outstanding achievements were widely recognized. She was named Canadian Women’s Nordic Skier of the Year by Ski Racing magazine six times, and she and Sharon were the subjects of a CBC documentary, The Olympians: The Firth Sisters.
After her marriage, Firth-Larsson spent more than two decades in Europe. She earned a teaching diploma from the University of Paris in 2002 and lectured on Dene and Inuit cultures at universities, schools and cultural centres across central Europe and Scandinavia.
In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Order of Canada in 1987, inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 1990 and received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. She later returned to her hometown of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.
Firth-Larsson’s athletic achievements, cultural contributions and community commitment left an indelible mark on Canadian skiing and continue to inspire generations of athletes, particularly within Indigenous communities.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 1976 — Seventh place, 4 x 5-kilometre relay, Olympic Winter Games, Innsbruck, Austria
- 1978 — Ninth place, 4 x 5-kilometre relay, World Championships, Lahti, Finland
- 1980 — Ninth place, 20-kilometre event, World Championships, Falun, Sweden
- 1980 — Eighth place, 4 x 5-kilometre relay, Olympic Winter Games, Lake Placid, N.Y.
- 1982 — 11th overall, World Cup standings
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.
Shirley Firth in cross country relay race at 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games. Canadian Ski Association.
Shirley Firth at 1969 World Ski Championships. CSHFM Collection.
Shirley and Sharon Firth c. 1969. Photo Guy Savard.
Sharon and Shirley Firth. CSHFM Collection.
Sharon and Shirley Firth. Canadian Ski Association.
Canadian Olympic cross country team at 1972 Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo, JPN [L to R]: Helen Sander, Roseanne Allen, Sharon Firth, Shirley Firth, Bjorger Pettersen (coach), Roger Allen, Jarl Omholt-Jensen, Malcolm Hunter, Fred Kelly. CSHFM Collection.
Rhoda Wurtele, Shirley Firth, Sharon Firth, and Rhona Wurtele at 1990 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CSHFM Collection.
Inductees Sharon and Shirley Firth with Allen Warren, a director of the Canadian Ski Museum, at the 1990 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CSHFM Collection.
Sharon and Shirley Firth with Canadian Ski Museum Chair, Erle Bergh, at 1990 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CSHFM Collection.
Sharon and Shirley Firth with Canadian Ski Museum Chair, Erle Bergh, at 1990 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CSHFM Collection.
2015 Honoured Member: Sharon Firth - Cross-country Skiing | Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
2015 Canada's Sports Hall of Fame Induction Vignette | Sharon Firth (Shirley's twin sister)
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