The Mont Ste‑Marie ski racing community was out last night to celebrate recent Canadian Ski Hall of Fame inductee Dustin Cook at one of his old stomping grounds, the Tooth and Nail Brewing Company in Ottawa’s Wellington West district.

The former Ottawa resident, now 37, will experience a full-circle moment tomorrow, skiing the Dustin Cook black diamond run at Mont Ste-Marie for the first time since it was renamed in his honour in 2017. Cook will serve as a forerunner for the U14 race, skiing ahead of the young competitors on the same hill where his career began.

“I’m excited,” the graduate of Nepean High School told CiTC, noting that the run was always called Outaouais when he was growing up. True to his modest nature, Cook said he’s perfectly comfortable when people just call it D.C. “because using my full name still feels a little weird.”

At the party, Cook thanked the Mont Ste-Marie ski community for its support over the years. “They were such a huge part of my whole career; I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them,” he said.

Darcy Walsh, third from left, with former Canadian alpine ski racers Patrick Biggs, far left, Dustin Cook and Ryan Semple, far right, at a party held at Tooth and Nail Brewing Company to celebrate Cook’s recent induction into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame. Photo by Caroline Phillips

According to his Hall of Fame profile, Cook’s breakout season came in 2015, when he stunned the skiing world as an underdog by winning silver in the super-G at the FIS World Championships in Beaver Creek, Colorado. That same year, he captured World Cup gold in Méribel, France, and bronze at Kvitfjell, Norway, cementing his place among the sport’s elite.

After recovering from a serious knee injury, Cook represented Canada at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, finishing ninth in the super-G.

Cook retired in March 2020, wrapping up a 12-year career with the national team. He’s married to Abby Ghent, a former skier with the U.S. Ski Team. While they currently live in the United States, they have plans to move to Rossland, a small town in British Columbia that’s big on alpine ski racing.

Tooth and Nail is co-owned by Cook’s friend Matt Tweedy. The two became close while Cook was recovering from his knee injury. Over the years, they raised thousands for local children’s charities by inviting groups to design, name, and brew their own beers at Tooth and Nail as part of an experiential package donated to the live auction at the Ski for Kids fundraiser held at Mont Ste‑Marie.

Last night’s party was hosted by Cook’s parents, Karen and Paul Cook, a partner and sales representative at Lennard Commercial Realty. In his remarks, Paul also thanked the ski community, as well as his son’s former coaches and the individuals who sponsored him, including Sean Gilmour, Kevin Marler, Howard Silver, Eric Sprott, Darcy Walsh, and Kevin Pidgeon. Pidgeon used to be the president of the former Tommy & Lefebvre sporting goods retailer. He’s now president and COO of Nautical Lands Group, a developer of adult lifestyle communities.

Matt Tweedy, owner of Tooth and Nail Brewing Company, with his good friend, former Canadian alpine ski racer Dustin Cook, at a party to celebrate Cook’s induction into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Jonathan Bodden and his daughter Kate Bodden, who’s studying human kinetics at the University of Guelph, were for years part of the area’s ski racing world. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Hall of Famer Dustin Cook with Ottawa businessman Howard Silver, president of The Silver Group and Living Well Homes, at Tooth and Nail Brewing Company. Photo by Caroline Phillips

“It’s a very special community at Mont Ste‑Marie — a really tight-knit group,” said Paul, describing the party as a “homecoming” for bringing so many familiar faces back together. “Some of these people haven’t seen each other in years. It’s like, Kevin Pidgeon, you’re here! How are you?”

Paul said he was looking forward to Dustin returning to Mont Ste‑Marie this weekend to meet a whole new generation of young skiers who know him only by name and legendary reputation. Dustin has also agreed to spend time with the U12 skiers on Sunday, knowing they would otherwise miss his visit while racing at another hill on Saturday.

Said Paul: “I’m really excited about these kids being inspired. That’s the cherry on top. If you can inspire a kid, you never know what they might be able to do. They might see someone like Dustin and think, ‘If he can do it, why can’t I?’

“I’m sure Dustin will also talk about the hard work. Success doesn’t just happen.”

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Syntax Strategic, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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