Growing up in Thredbo, Kim Clifford attended school by correspondence during the winter months and then attended Jindabyne Public School. He credits his mother Beryl for his involvement with snow sports, as her love for skiing brought the family into the area, having been a regular skier at Charlotte Pass in the ‘40s and ‘50s. Clifford’s parents built and operated Winterhaus Ski Lodge in Thredbo from 1960 to the mid ‘70s. 

The Alpine programme in that period was very active, with competitors from Victoria and NSW regularly being selected for the National teams and training together. In particular, a close-knit trio of Alpine racers was formed: Clifford, Rob McIntyre and David Griff. They were all coached by Martin Kerscher, spending seven years training together. All of them eventually made their Olympic debut at the 1976 Winter Games. 

In Innsbruck Clifford competed in Downhill, Giant Slalom and Slalom, scoring a 34th place in the Downhill event as his best result. Four years later he was selected for the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, but he broke his wrist one week prior to the event and was ruled out of the Games.

Clifford was employed by Kosciuszko Thredbo and Lend Lease as a trainee area director immediately after leaving school, which enabled him to continue his racing career and gain an education while working. After retiring from competitive skiing, Clifford continued to be involved in the sport by forging a successful career with the ski and tourism industry in Australia. Among his many roles, Clifford served as General Manager of Kosciusko Thredbo from 1990 to 2012.

Clifford also held various Board positions in tourism and snow sports organisation, including Chairman of the Australian Ski Areas Association, and is currently a Director at Snow Australia. 

His list of personal achievements and awards is a long one - he is a Life member of Thredbo Ski Racing Club and Disabled Wintersports Australia, amongst others. Clifford is also a proud recipient of an Australian Sports Medal, in recognition to his service to Australian sport, and a NSW Premier’s Social Justice Award.