Nancy Greene Raine To Celebrate 50th Anniversary Of Olympic Gold Medal Win

While the world cheers on athletes at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games this month, Sun Peaks, British Columbia will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Nancy Greene Raine’s 1968 Olympic gold medal win in Grenoble, France.

Olympic Champion, Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century and Director of Skiing at Sun Peaks Resort are just a few of the accomplishments Greene Raine holds to her name. Her racing career gave her the opportunity to visit ski resorts around the world and retirement from racing brought new challenges and achievements in the business world.

“I felt huge satisfaction winning the Olympics, and being part of the development of two major BC ski resorts has made me very proud,” said Greene Raine. “But the key to my success is my family. My husband, Al, who has supported me all the way, and our two sons and their families.”

Greene Raine and her husband, Sun Peaks’ Mayor Al Raine, have called Sun Peaks home for over two decades and have been integral to growth in the community. As Sun Peaks’ Director of Skiing since 1994, Greene Raine’s background in the industry is an important asset, helping the resort deliver a world class guest experience. A highlight for guests from around the world is the complimentary ‘Ski with Nancy’ mountain tour where Greene Raine spends the afternoon guiding guests around the slopes, sharing ski tips and her love of the mountains.

Celebrating her 50th milestone at Sun Peaks in the midst of the Olympics is a very special celebration for Greene Raine.

“It’s hard to believe that it has been 50 years since the Grenoble Olympics, an event that certainly changed my life,” Greene Raine explained. “I’m really excited to celebrate my golden anniversary in Sun Peaks.”

Sun Peaks is inviting everyone to help celebrate this milestone, five decades from the day Greene Raine celebrated her gold medal win. The celebration begins at 11:30am with an opportunity to ski with the Olympic Champion from the top of the Sunburst chairlift. At 12:00pm, guests are invited to watch the Flag Parade and presentation at the base of the village platter. Festivities will continue into the evening with a public reception and Olympic celebration at Masa’s Bar + Grill from 7:00-9:00pm, which will include Olympic coverage, live music and tasty appetizers.

Nancy Greene was Canada's top ski racer through the 1960's, winning gold and silver medals at the 1968 Grenoble Olympics and overall World Cup titles in 1967 and 68. Her total of 13 World Cup victories is still a Canadian record. She won 17 Canadian Championship titles in all disciplines.

Retiring at age 24, Nancy married Al Raine and together they have made skiing their life's work. They have been instrumental in the development and promotion of ski tourism in British Columbia, first at Whistler and now at Sun Peaks Resort just north of Kamloops. Nancy is Director of Skiing at Sun Peaks and skis almost every day. Nancy and Al built and operate Nancy Greene's Cahilty Lodge where they make their home.

Nancy raced on Rossignol skis and has worked with them ever since.

In November 1999 Nancy was named Canada's female athlete of the century, no doubt not only because of her athletic accomplishments but because she has continued to contribute to the sport she loves. The Nancy Greene Ski League, for example, is where young Canadians get their start in ski racing.