PICTURES: Tributes have been paid to Aviemore's true legend of the ski slopes

Tributes have been paid to a ‘true legend’ of British and Alpine skiing who notched up a pioneering first on Mont Blanc.

Derek Brightman, (89), of Myrtlefield, Aviemore, was the first man to ski down the north face of the mighty French peak from the summit – all on wooden skis with metal edges and leather boots – on June 9, 1971.

He completed the feat with Sylvain Saudan – dubbed ‘The Skier of the Impossible’ – and was a celebrity in Chamonix for the achievement.

Mr Brightman was a founding member of BASI – the British Association of Snowsport Instructors – and had the licence number 001.

He was described as a humble giant of a man in the ski world; an all round gentleman; extraordinary entrepreneur and a man lived a life full of adventure.

Mr Brightman passed away on Tuesday September 20.

His funeral will take place at Inverness Crematorium next Thursday (October 6) at 11am.

Pavel Satny, of Aviemore Photographic fame, remembered: “It was it 1972 that Derek gave me my first job as a skiing instructor, which was very brave of him because he had never seen me skiing.

“He achieved a lot in his life. When he was young he skied Mont Blanc, he was a director of the largest ski school in Aviemore and ran a sailing and windsurfing school at Loch Morlich.

“Derek skied well into his old age– but his skiing was cut short by a near fatal ski accident in Courchevel.

“And yet for all that and in spite of his busy life we always found time to play golf. He had a great sense of humour, he was colourful and flamboyant and it was always a pleasure to be in his company.

“He will be missed and remembered by many.”

Former British snow boardercross champion Steven Trolland said: “I feel honoured to have been in the company of such a beautiful and inspiring guy such as Derek, not least for all the encouragement he gave in my competition days.

“I remember his hobble as he walked with his skis on his shoulders barely being able to get up the steps.

“But for then after to see him flying by on his skis! In his later years he could ski better than he could walk.

“He was a man who lived on his skis and one of the first, I think, to ski the north side of Mont Blanc all those years ago with equipment that we wouldn’t even dream of standing on these days. Derek was a legend.”

Another local ski great Myrtle Simpson said: “Derek was one of the original off-piste adventurers. He was well-known in Scotland, particularly Glenshee, but most of his skiing was in the Alps.

“Mont Blanc was his favourite play ground but he used to point out ‘If you can ski in Scotland, you can ski anywhere there is snow’.”

Friend Gareth Roberts said: “Derek was a true friend of many years, a true gentleman that bought light in to any room he entered, and a true legend in the world of skiing.

"Derek gave many young ski teachers the opportunity to enter the career they wished for.”

In a full and eventful life, Derek Brightman was a director of Aviemore Ski School and also founded the Glenshee Ski School (International) in 1964.

He was also one of the five founding members of the British Association of Professional Ski Instructors now known as BASI and based in Grantown.

His business partner, Sandy Caird, brought expertise in retailing to the school’s base at the Cairdsport Hire and Shop in the Spittal of Glenshee.

Their staff came from Scotland and further afield including the Continent giving the school a truly international flavour and the “Modern Austrian Method” was taught.

There were resident instructors at all the local hotels, operating from mid December until the end of April.

Mr Brightman was chief instructor and the ski school provided dedicated tuition for children. The two Scottish ski pioneers also worked alongside the Wintons at Dalmunzie Estate and offered a rope tow on the estate near their shop.

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