Town of Banff

Jerry Johnston

Banff Sports Hall of Fame -
2008: Builder

Banff Sports Hall of Fame - Jerry Johnson

Jerry Johnston made a huge difference in the lives of those with disabilities. His creative inventions of special equipment and teaching techniques became the industry standard, helping the recipients to gain personal confidence and enjoy the outdoors. Jerry was founding president and executive director for the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing, founding president of the Alberta Amputee Ski Association, chairman of the Technical Committee for the International Sports Organization for the Disabled, and team manager for two Paralympics and three World Championships.

Jerry organized the first Canadian International Disabled Ski Meet at Sunshine Village and was instrumental in setting up the Japanese Handicapped Ski Association. For his vision and leadership in handicapped skiing, Jerry has received three Alberta Achievement Awards, and has been inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Skiers’ Hall of Fame, and the CSIA Hall of Fame. In November 2000 he was awarded the Order of Canada for his dedication to skiing for the disabled.

In addition to his work in handicapped skiing, Jerry was known as the always-smiling face at the highly regarded Sunshine Village Ski School where he was the owner and director from 1960 – 1977. Through Jerry’s management and philosophy, the Sunshine Ski School gained a well-earned reputation for having the best instructors in the country. A member of the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance since 1957, Jerry remains a CSIA Level 4 Examiner.

Banff was surely blessed to have as one of its own someone with the vision and commitment of Jerry Johnston.