Who is Phil
6 February 2025
Have you ever seen a man on the side of the road doing cross-country skiing or roller skiing, with colorful balloons attached to his helmet or backpack?
If so, you’ve already crossed paths with Phil Shaw, the most passionate cross-country skier in Quebec. This title isn’t official, of course—it’s one we’ve given him. But something tells us you wouldn’t disagree…
Phil Shaw estimates that he has participated in between 100 and 150 international long-distance cross-country skiing races in his lifetime.
“It’s a wonderful passion that I’ve had for over 50 years,” says the friendly man over the phone.
These 50 km and longer races give the 58-year-old a feeling of euphoria, even ecstasy.
“It’s like watching the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup final. It’s the decisive game against Boston. But instead of being a spectator, you’re on the ice, you’re one of the Guy Lafleurs or Nick Suzukis,” he says, a smile in his voice.
The first gift
Mr. Shaw still remembers his Christmas in 1969. He had received a pair of thin red plastic cross-country skis from his parents. “I was 3 years old. I remember because I used them in the yard with my dad, who was guiding me a little.”
Two years later, he received his first real cross-country skis, which he would use on outings with his parents and little brother in Prévost.
Throughout his school years, from elementary to university, Phil Shaw practiced the sport, whether in physical education classes or through school programs. “Occasionally, I would even ski to school. […] Those are incredible memories from my youth,” he recalls.
Mr. Shaw was part of Team Quebec but never made it onto the national team. The only time he tried out, in the Vancouver area in January 1990, he was suffering from bronchitis.
“Obviously, I didn’t have a good race. I was kind of pushed out of the Canadian team. I could have tried again—I was still young enough—but I told myself: maybe I’d eventually make the Canadian team, but that’s not what would make me happy.”
In reality, Mr. Shaw much preferred long-distance races, also known as loppets. He wanted to be an independent skier. That’s how he nurtured his passion, which eventually became an obsession…
Balloons to bring smiles
Every day for decades, with only a few exceptions, Phil Shaw puts on his cross-country skis in winter—or his roller skis in spring, summer, and fall. He glides for two hours, except on Sundays, when he goes for a long-distance session. “On February 8, I did a 5-hour-and-30-minute outing without stopping,” he recalls as an example.
Obviously, these numerous outings serve as preparation for his winter races, but he mainly does them for the love of the sport. He also takes the opportunity to spread smiles; in October 2014, he came up with the idea of attaching leftover balloons from his wedding to his helmet or backpack. Since then, he has added one or more to each of his outings.
“Right away, I realized it was more fun; the people I passed waved, honked. […] They are multicolored; they make me more visible when I’m on the side of the road.”
Towards a record season
Over the years, Phil Shaw has participated in many major competitions around the world. He has stood on the podium multiple times at the Gatineau Loppet and achieved several strong results in Europe: 45th place at the Marcialonga, 101st place at the Vasaloppet, and 29th place at the Transjurassienne…
Not to mention his Guinness record achieved in 1995: a 6,000 km roller ski crossing of Canada in 72 days to support the Arthritis Society!
In 2025, the skier will experience a record season. It began on January 6, when he traveled to the Dolomites in Italy for his first long-distance race of the Worldloppet season. The 70 km race took place partly in the rain. “I had a good time and was in great shape; I didn’t feel tired,” he says.
In February, he will compete in two 50 km marathons in Gatineau and two in Finland. On March 2, he will once again line up at the start of what he calls the “Super Bowl” of the sport: the Vasaloppet in Sweden.
Every time he competes in a long-distance race, Mr. Shaw’s only goal is to “keep up with the best.” He starts just behind the elite racers. “There are about 300 of them in these competitions. I try to follow them.”
“So far, I’ve pretty much always finished as the top Canadian,” he adds. “I still represent our country, even if I’m not going to the Olympics.”
Phil Shaw has already dedicated a significant part of his life to cross-country skiing, and he hopes to continue in the same way “for a long time, the next 20 years.” He particularly wants to participate in “very exotic” races in Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.
In the end, skiing has allowed him to be “less stressed by the daily life of a normal working person” throughout his life. He sees his health as “a gift,” having never been injured or sick.
“We don’t know our future or how we will age from now on—no one does—but I keep my fingers crossed. Honestly, every day, I look forward to skiing.”
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