In other strands of a super active life he flew small aircraft (trained by Norman Whelan), raced cars (& won), ran marathons, was a Ski Bum in Verbier, trained ski instructors for Britain & Ireland and was a negotiator both in France and Brussels as a respected neutral re international qualifications in skiing. In the process he gained international recognition with France for Irish qualified instructors.
Ian is of course the most amazing father having helped his daughters to achieve their own ambitions of representing Ireland in the Winter Olympics (3 Games between them). He was deputy Chef de Mission at the Torino Games in 2006, and Alpine Team Leader in 2002 at Salt Lake City, along with several other world championships, junior world championships and Small Nations’ competitions.
Together with me, and the co-sponsors we brought in, he gave sports scholarships to several promising young Irish ski racers, and supported them through training and as race support from France to Italy and Norway.
Add your own thoughts and recollections here:
A wonderful trainer
Ian trained me to be a ski instructor. He was so technically detailed in his teaching, and so accomplished, that it should have been intimidating. But instead he was so ...
Epitome of Gentle Strength, Precision, Kindness and Patience
Ian was always calm, no matter how treacherous the conditions. He gave great confidence to tackle the formidable. He was patient with the many 'freedman freezes', and talked me down ...
Un papa en or
À Ian m, qui dans mes souvenirs restera ce papa exceptionnel qui aura mené avec Jane ses merveilleuses filles au succès et à la réussîtes. Un homme discret qui par ...
A Skiing Role Model
Dearest Jane I'm so very sorry to hear of Ian's passing...he was a super guy and for those of us who had the privilege of skiing with him (on and ...
My ski hero!
Ian McGarry will always be my benchmark for skiing with perfect style! I started skiing as a young child in 1998, taught by my dad who had previously taken lessons ...
Secrets of Skiing
I was such a terrified skier! Watching the Secrets of Skiing videos hundreds of times helped me to overcome my fear and end up living in the French Alps for ...
I stopped Skiing at 90
Hello Jane. I stopped skiing at 90, 7 years ago and now have to think how to walk. 3 more years and I'll pack it in. meanwhile here is something ...
Ski scholarship #1
Coming from a non-skiing family it was wonderful and truly special to have the chance to spend time on snow in Chatel. Writing from Chatel now! I remember friendly times, ...
Two of My Favourite Winter Seasons with Ian and Jane
I was lucky enough to work for Ian and Jane for McGarry The Ski System during the 96/97 and 97/98 winters. Ian and Jane were great bosses and this contributed ...
My good pal Ian
Well, where to start. I first met Ian on a BASI course and because I then went to live in Dublin during the Summer for a few years, I became ...
Ski Club of Ireland
Ian would know me from the ski club of Ireland and when I was a little girl and Tamsen and I went to ST Nicholas school In Dunlaoghire.I am so ...
Remembering Chatel adventures
What a great season it was ('97/'98) with Ian and Jane in Chatel, working with McGarry The Ski System. Ian is a remarkable skier and teacher and without doubt the ...
Basi 3 pré assessment in Cairngorm
So Ian took me for me Basi 3 pré assessment in Cairngorm when it was the only place to do your exams otherwise you were not considered a real skier ...
Rock to Snow…
I first met Ian in the Bluesville days, when he played with Mick Molloy and Deke O'Brien, who were classmates of mine in CBC. I played with various groups, including ...
Ski teaching in Chatel
Thank you fir some brilliant times skiing with the Snowfocus kids in Chatel. The groups always loved being taught by an ex-olympic trainer- particularly on race day vs their parents! ...
McGarry the ski system
Ian, the smoothest skier I’ve ever seen; sadly did not ski enough with you. Spent time with you at the chalet with a small input to the girls fitness programme ...
Ski Courses
So sorry to hear this Jane. We had many great times together over many courses. Here's a piccy from Andorra. ❤ ...
Prof at Chatel
I am devastated to hear this news about Ian but I thank you for sharing it with us all so openly. I wish I had some of the pix of ...
The beginning of a journey
My journey to the Alps and to 'Chamonix' began while working for Ian and Jane as part of McGarry the Ski System's first team of instructors. Indeed, I was the ...
BASI & SCGB
Ian, do you remember my BASI 3 (as it was then) training up on Cairngorm, early May 1988 (I think). I was the oldest even then in the group and ...
I’ve skied in Aviemore
Anyone who is anyone in ski teaching in the old days knew that ISIA was short for “I’ve Skied In Aviemore” not the “ International Ski instructors Association.” At the ...
You’re a Legend!
Happy photo of us all enjoying hot chocolate in Morgen . My happiest memory of you Ian is you skiing gracefully down looking like a Ninja Turtle covered in rucksacks ...
A Star Wasn’t Born
In my days working for Salomon back in the 1980’s Davee Mercer and myself were looked after Royal on our trip to Dublin. Ian gave us the VIP visit to ...
Always keep your feet below your head
I knew nothing of the rest of your career, all that other stuff, other than Ian McGarry ski instructor and legend of Chatel , in fact I just didn’t believe ...
Mark Shapiro
I met Ian in Verbier when he was a Ski Club rep. We became friends skiing together and as a ski model Ian is a member of Team Clambin. I ...