Banff’s Mount Norquay Ski Resort was founded in 1926, the same year Bow Valley ski legend Eddie Hunter was born.
On Friday, the ski resort celebrated Hunter’s 99th birthday by renaming a ski chair on the North American lift after him.
“I feel really happy to be here,” Hunter said. “I didn’t think I would feel this way, because I don’t react to the promotion of myself.”
He says he first skied at Norquay in 1934.
Hunter, a cinematographer, worked on several skiing tv shows and movies across Canada
Due to a lack of snow, North American runs were unable to be skied on Friday.
However, Hunter and some family members did ride the chairlift to the top of the mountain with some Norquay staff members.
“There’s not that many ski areas in North America that that are going to be celebrating, that have reached the milestone of 100 years,” said Norquay Ski Resort general manager Andre Quenneville. “On top of that, we have a skier among us who was born in 1926, the same time people started skiing here.”
Among the dozens of people who showed up for the naming of the chair were Hunter’s daughters Misty Maisonet and Kendall Hunter.
Kendall grew up skiing at Norquay, starting when she was 13 months old.
She was the one who approached Norquay about the idea of honouring Eddie.
“I was riding up behind him with my daughter, Just to see little dad now, up there with his big name behind him on the hill that he loves and that he skied on for ninety years is incredible,” said Kendall. “It was emotional.”
Hunter’s grandson Noah Maisonet, a professional skier, was also in attendance.
“Eddie has been a huge inspiration to me my entire life,” he said. “He taught me how to ski when I was young. Looking at his career back in the day, and what he’s skied and all the films he’s made, that’s been a huge influence as well. Eddie’s the man.”
Both Eddie and staff at Norquay are looking forward to 2026, when they will celebrate turning 100.
