Nancy Greene Raine

As the most decorated ski racer in Canadian history, Nancy Greene Raine captured the hearts and minds of Canadians. Named Canada’s female athlete of the 20th century, she continues to be a vital and inspiring force for skiing in the 21st century.  

Greene was born in 1943. The daughter of ski enthusiasts, she began skiing at the age of three in Rossland, B.C., honing her skills on the steep and challenging slopes of Red Mountain. At age 16, she skied competitively as a member of the Canadian national ski team at the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley. In 1967 she won the overall World Cup title.

At the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble, Greene reached the pinnacle of her career: capturing the gold medal in the giant slalom and silver in the slalom. In the same year, she capped her Olympic triumph with a second overall World Cup victory.

At the end of the 1968 season, Greene retired from her nine-year competitive racing career, but not from the world of skiing.   Following her marriage to ski coach Al Raine in 1969, Nancy stayed involved with amateur sport. Greene and Raine are well known for their assistance to young skiers. For more than 30 years the Nancy Greene Ski League has served as an entry-level race program for young children.

Nancy and Al have made skiing and tourism their life’s work. In the 1970s they were instrumental in the early promotion of Whistler, where they built their first hotel. In 1994 they brought their experience and vision to Sun Peaks, a world-class ski resort near Kamloops, where Greene is director of skiing.    
 
In recognition of her outstanding record of achievements, Greene has received many honours, including Officer of the Order of Canada; Order of the Dogwood, the highest award in B.C.; entry into the Canadian, B.C. and U.S. Sports Halls of Fame; and an honorary degree from the University College of the Cariboo.

Greene remains a cherished national hero, whose commitment to excellence, to entrepreneurial vision, and to her sport continues to inspire new generations of Canadian athletes.