Who is Phil

Who is Phil Shaw?

Hi, my name is Phil Shaw. Yes it’s the gentleman who does roller skiing and cross-country skiing with multicolored balloons and waves to everyone he meets, with a big smile on his lips. For three years I have been living in one of the most beautiful corners of Val-Morin with my ballerina wife Annie Gauthier. We love Val-Morin and the communities around it.

Do you know why I rollerski so much? That’s because I race international cross-country marathons every winter. Winter 2025 will be a record season for me. I will race a total of 6 marathons on the Worldoppet circuit over 6 consecutive weekends, for a total of 546 kms. That’s why I train so much. And if you ask yourself: Why the balloons? It is mainly to be seen by the drivers of the vehicles that I pass, and consequently make them smile or laugh! If you are wondering about the relationship between roller skiing and cross-country skiing, well they are two complementary disciplines, one preparing for the other.

Another question may be: why “drag” old cross country or alpine skis? Actually it’s for people to make a link between the two sports, and by doing so this keeps me strong. It takes an extra effort to pull skis, and this strength training will make me more competitive in cross-country ski racing.

Did you also know that Phil is an elite skier and has been representing Canada since 1990 at the prestigious Worldloppet circuit? He has accumulated several podiums at the Gatineau Loppet and several exceptional positions in Europe for a Canadian. For example, he finished 45th at the Marcialonga in Italy, 101st at the Vasaloppet in Sweden and 29th at the Transjurassienne in France. To give you an idea, making a «top 100» in Europe is equivalent to the level of a national team ski racer.

Starting in high school, Phil was on the cross-country team at every school he attended. From Rosemere High School, to Cégep Vanier, McGill University, to the Fondeurs Laurentides, Phil was able to get to the Quebec team.

Phil was able to use his endurance and passion  to cross Canada in 1995 for the Arthritis Society, travelling 6,000 km in 72 days!

In short, Phil would like to continue to be fit and spread the joy for a long time across the Laurentians, Quebec, Canada and elsewhere in the world. He met Jackrabbit Johannsen on his 100th birthday in 1975. Impressed by this legendary cross-country skier, Phil decided to follow in his footsteps: skiing every day. Like him, Phil loves nature, freedom and physical activity.

Phil is also a distributor/reseller of rough road rollerskis and accessories.
His clientele is located throughout Canada and the U.S and the business name is Rollerski.ca.

In closing, I hope you know a little more about the skier, the character, the passionate personality that he is. And as soon as November arrives, you will see him dressed in an elf dragging a small Christmas tree!

Sportively, Phil Shaw