For anyone who has followed the sport of skiing in Thunder Bay over the past forty years they were sure to have come across Ernie Marchiori, an active participant, instructor, judge and volunteer at the local, national and international level in alpine and nordic skiing.

Ernie's involvement in skiing began with the Fort William Ski Club, serving on the Board of Directors for many years and as the club's President. A member of the Mount McKay Ski Area for over twenty years, Ernie was actively involved in the design, construction and installation of a number of aspects of the area including ski hills, night lighting, ski lifts, snow grooming and snow making equipment.

An advisor to the Fort William First Nations, Ernie helped train members in the operation and management of the ski area. Ernie's contributions and dedication to both these organizations earned him Life Member status in 1975.

Becoming actively involved in nordic sports in 1972, it was not long before he had garnered national Ski Jumping Judge status (1975) and International Ski Federation (FIS) judging status (1979). A long serving member and Director with Thunder Bay Ski Jumps, Ernie served in many capacities at Big Thunder including Chief of Competition, Technical Delegate, instructor and Judge for provincial, national and international events.

Serving as a member of the Canadian Ski Association, Ernie has served as Jumping Judge Chairman for Canada, Chief of Officials and a representative on the FIS Rules Committee. At the international and world level Ernie represented Canada with distinction as an FIS Technical Delegate for World Championships and at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary judging in all events. A proud supporter of nordic skiing in Canada, Ernie was actively involved in Thunder Bay's bid and hosting of the Nordic World Ski Championships in 1995.

When recounting the various individuals who had contributed to the development of skiing in northwestern Ontario, the late Hall of Famer Mike Guzzell, a pioneer in the world of skiing, named Ernie as a truly indispensable part of that history.

Inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, September 27, 1997