December 31, 2018 (Okotoks, AB) – The cross-country ski community around the globe was sad to learn that legendary pioneer, dreamer, and entrepreneur, Bjorger Pettersen, passed away on Dec. 29 at his home in Okotoks, AB.

His extraordinary career was the stuff of legends as he helped bring cross-country skiing across Canada into the modern era. As founder of the TEST program, he later became the national team coach and transformed a fledgling program to create world-class athletes. As a key architect of the Canmore facility for the 1988 Calgary Olympics, his legacy will live on for generations.

Born in Sarpsborg, Norway, his family immigrated to Canada in 1953, when he was just 11 years old. They settled in Camrose, as an uncle of his was already living there. After a successful racing career in B.C. he was one of two founders of the Hickory Wing Ski Club. Later he became head coach of Canada’s Western Division and under his guidance an astounding 22 skiers were selected to the National Ski Teams.

In 1967 he decided to head up the TEST program [Territorial Experimental Ski Training] in the North West Territories (NWT) and built an amazing program with the legendary Firth sisters, Sharon and Shirley who had stellar results racing against the best in the world. Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, took notice as well and recognized the team’s achievements under Pettersen.

At one time he imported ski equipment to the Canadian market with $8 million in sales but suffered three bad winters and sold the company.

During the 70s he became Canada’s national cross-country ski coach and was Technical Director at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid and Chief of Race and Venue Coordinator/Manager at the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games.

After the Olympics he formed BPA Marketing which became Chrysler’s agency of choice to manage the Jeep Ski Nationals in Canada for a ten-year period. Unfortunately he picked up sarcoidosis and had to taper his activities.

Pettersen was at the forefront of every major cross-country ski event and movement in North America and spent 27 years on the FIS cross-country committee and the executive committee.

In 2017 he authored an amazing in-depth book “A Cross Country Ski Story” that chronicles the development of the sport of cross-country skiing in Canada, the USA and around the world.

From humble roots that began in Prince George, B.C. to the top of the world with Olympic gold medals by Beckie Scott and Chandra Crawford, Pettersen charted the history of the sport with over 300 photos to capture the essence of an amazing journey. He has left an indelible mark on the sport in Canada and around the world and his incredible passion touched so many.

“Bjorger was Canada’s pioneer leader in bringing cross-country skiing into the modern era from the 1960s on in many ways,” said long-time friend and former US and Canadian coach Marty Hall. “He has so many jewels in his crown: the TEST program, National Team head coach, his many years of wheeling and dealing with FIS, and of course, his crowning jewel, the development and running of the Canmore facility for the ’88 Olympics – a legacy that remains as one of the best in the world.”

Pettersen received many awards during his career including the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame (2007), Air Canada’s Sport Official of the Year (1988), Dave Rees XC Award, Prince George Sports Hall of Fame (2014), 125th Anniversary Commemorative Medal of Canada and Honorary Lifetime member of the FIS Cross Country Committee.

He is survived by his wife Anita and children Britt, Lars, Bjorn and Rolf, along with grandchildren Eric, Katharyn, Jonas and Jonathan and sister Ann Mari.

SkiTrax joins the cross-country ski community in Canada and around the globe in thanking Pettersen for his many contributions to the sport and sending condolences to his family and friends.