Hilda Jamieson: Britain’s oldest skier

Proving once and for all that age is little more than a number, meet the incredible Hilda Jamieson, a 101-year old skiing great-grandmother who’s raised a family of championship skiers and doesn’t let age or 90% blindness get in the way of the sport she loves.

Hilda in Meribel last year

Grandson Gavin tells us that Granny Hilda, fondly known to family as Gigi, has been schussing and slaloming since the 30s, when she learnt to ski on wooden homemade skis in the Sidlow Mountains north of Dundee. This was the area her husband David (something of a local legend) transformed into the Scottish ski centre of Glenshee – currently the largest collection of groomers in the UK.

Hilda and grandson Gavin

Hilda has shared her love of skiing with her children and grandchildren, so much so that members of both generations have competed for Scotland and Team GB:

Of her three daughters, Valery and Sheila skied for the Scottish national team, and Helen skied for team GB in the ’68 Grenoble Olympics.

A generation down, her granddaughter, Lucinda Ness and grandson Jamie Verden-Anderson both raced for Scotland.

The extended family seem to have caught the ski-bug in a big way too – Hilda’s son-in-law David Verden-Anderson also raced for the Scottish team and David’s great nephew Jack Gower currently races for Team GB.

Hilda skiing with her daughter Helen

Hilda keeps to blue runs these days, her favourites being in a gentle area of Meribel, and is guided down by her daughter Helen and grandson Gavin who snowplough ahead of her. Gavin tells us she’s still perfectly capable and totally in her element, singing as she glides down the piste.

Three cheers for Hilda

The secret to her long skiing years? Regular family holidays in the sun and snow and an unwavering devotion to the sport and people she loves. Hilda, you’re an inspiration and we raise our glasses to you!