Town of Banff

Mike and Bonnie Wiegele

Bonnie and Mike Wiegele have been important advocates and supporters of excellence in mountain sports

Banff Sports Hall of Fame - 2006: Achievement

Mike and Bonnie Wiegele have had a wide influence on mountain sport. Individually and together, their involvement has had a major impact on their community.

Mike Wiegele was born in Austria. After moving to Banff, he became the Director of the Lake Louise Ski School, where he initiated their ski racing program. Several of the young athletes under his guidance went on to be part of Canada's National Ski Team, including the famous "Crazy Canucks" group.

As a youth, Mike excelled as a ski racer, mountain climber, ski instructor and ski guide. As an adult, he founded Mike Wiegele Heli-Skiing. He is a major supporter of avalanche research and an overall advocate for mountain sport.

Bonnie was born in Edmonton, Alberta. From childhood, she has been active in sports. She began her career in competitive swimming moving on to compete nationally in synchronized swimming.

As a youngster she competed in gymnastics and helped found the Banff Gymnastic Club. She participated in triathlons and finished the World Ironman event in Hawaii.

Her downhill skiing career includes instructing and masters ski racing.

Not only have Mike and Bonnie remained active in sports, they have also given back to the sport community. Together they founded the Banff Quickies and Alpine Racers, to introduce children to skiing and ski racing. They have been supportive of developing athletes in numerous ways.

Their love and passion for sport, as well as their success in sports and support of athletes, represent an outstanding achievement.