Still sharing his passion for skiing at 87
Claude Gagnon, an alpine ski instructor at Mont Sutton, continues to teach at the age of 87. A lifelong passion, skiing helps him stay active and maintain good health.
Mr. Gagnon reached out to FADOQ’s Executive Director, Jacinthe Roy, after reading her editorial in the Summer 2024 edition of Virage magazine, where she expressed her desire to start skiing again. A Level 2 member of the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance since 1969, he extended an invitation for a refresher course to help her regain her confidence on the slopes.
On January 31, Ms. Roy met with him at Mont Sutton. Mr. Gagnon reminded her of the fundamentals of skiing and accompanied her on a few runs. The friendly octogenarian also shared his love for the sport and his tips for staying in good physical shape.
A lifelong passion that began in childhood
Claude Gagnon first hit the slopes at the age of seven, using makeshift skis crafted by his father. “We took barrel staves and tied them on with binder twine,” he recalls. Over time, he honed his skills and eventually took a class to become a certified instructor.
To this day, he loves passing on his knowledge to young skiers.”It keeps me young and keeps me moving because kids are always on the go!” he says enthusiastically.
Staying active for good health
For Claude Gagnon, staying active isn’t just a choice — it’s a necessity.
“If you sit for too long, you’ll start feeling pain in your legs. To avoid that, you have to keep moving,” he explains. This philosophy has helped him maintain his health. “I caught a cold recently, but before that, I hadn’t been sick in six years,” he says.
His secret to staying fit? “Diet plays an important role. I eat little meat, hardly any desserts, and no sugar. I focus on vegetables and maintain a consistent routine,” he explains. This discipline allows him to continue enjoying his lifelong passion for skiing.
Beyond skiing, he enjoys the Mont Sutton trails for autumn hikes, especially along the Village-Mountain trail, where he admires nature.
A community-oriented organization
Claude Gagnon has been a FADOQ member for about 20 years. For him, FADOQ is about more than just discounts. “It’s a community of people who want to stay connected. Some join for the discounts, but for me, the goal is to stay active with others. I’m against the rocking chair lifestyle!”
Claude Gagnon is living proof that an active lifestyle and a well-maintained passion can keep you going strong through the decades. A true inspiration for anyone who wants to age well — while staying in motion!
