Town of Banff

Karen Percy

Downhill skier Karen Percy electrified home-town fans in Banff by winning Canada's first medals at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary

Banff Sports Hall of Fame - 2005: Athlete

Karen Percy is one of Banff's all-time most successful athletes. At the height of her career, she was one of the top women's alpine ski racers in the world.

And in 1988, she gave us one of our community's proudest moments.

Raised on the ski hills surrounding Banff, Karen captured Canada's first medals at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games XV in Calgary, and brought two Olympic medals home to Banff.

By winning bronze in the Women's Downhill, bronze in the Women's Super Giant Slalom and finishing fourth in the Combined event at the Olympics, Karen excited Canada and electrified Banff. She also skied to a silver medal in the Downhill event at the World Championships at Vail, Colorado, in 1989.

Throughout her stellar skiing career, Karen reached the World Cup podium 5 times, and finished in the top ten more than 30 times. At the peak of her career, she was ranked 9th overall in the World Cup standings.

In 1988, Karen Percy received Canada's highest civilian honour when she became a Member of the Order of Canada.

She has inspired countless generations of young Banff athletes to pursue dreams of Olympic glory. For them, it is now a real possibility.