Two titans in Jasper’s ski history were honoured at the Alberta chapter of the Canadian Ski Instructor’s Alliance Spring Fling April 5.
In a ceremony after the organization’s annual general meeting, Joe Couture and Tom McCready were inducted into the CSIA Regional Hall of Fame, joining last year’s inaugural inductee, Verne Balding.
The awards were presented Saturday night at the Best Western Jasper Inn, where it was standing room only as CSIA’s past president Mike DesBrisay gave both the late McCready—who was represented by his wife, Fay—and Couture an affectionate ribbing as he boasted about their careers.
“I think it’s great that these two guys are getting honoured. In the first 20 years of Marmot Basin these guys were instrumental,” he said, before flashing Couture a grin.
“Joe and I solved the world’s problems many times,” he said, “of course they were usually still there the next day,” and the crowd laughed in appreciation.
DesBrissay outlined the two mens’ careers, explaining how McCready owned and operated the first ski school at Marmot Basin, setting the foundation for what some considered one of the best schools in North America.
“Tom’s career was awesome,” he said. Of course, he couldn’t help but tell the story of how Fay and Tom’s wedding was postponed in 1953 because the ski junkie was attending races at the Marmot Derby.
Couture came to the ski school shortly after it opened in 1964, and before long he and McCready were partners. When McCready retired in 1975, Couture took over, growing the school and the sport to new heights through his revolutionary ski weekend and regional ski shows.
After the history recap, DesBrissay invited Couture and Fay McCready to the stage to accept the awards. As they did, Couture stood with his arm around McCready’s widow and addressed the crowd.
Before the ceremony he admitted the award had come as “a big surprise,” but at that moment he wore a giant smile.
“Tom and I worked together as partners, and it was a pleasure working with him,” he said. He told how when he first arrived in town he was on his own, and Tom and Fay welcomed him into their home for Christmas dinner.
“It’s really a pleasure to accept this honour,” Couture said. “I’ve been away from the ski industry for a long time, and when I see what’s happening in this room right now, it’s great to see a resurgence of young people reinvigorating the sport.”
“I know Tom would have loved it,” he said, a slight crack in his voice.
Fay McCready echoed Couture’s sentiments, saying what a pleasure it was to accept the honour on behalf of her husband.
“I just wanted to say what a wonderful night this is,” she said.
In an interview before the presentation, DesBrissay explained that when members of the CSIA asked him for advice on who they should induct into the hall of fame this year, he told them there was only one real choice.
“The obvious two in Jasper—and we should do them together—is Tom McCready and Joe Couture,” he said.
“They’ve both had a hell of an impact on skiing in this town,” he added, “anyone else would have been ridiculous.”
Trevor Nichols
[email protected]
