Laila Schou Nilsen (18 March 1919 – 30 July 1998) was one of the foremost Norwegian sportspeople of the 20th century, best known as a speed skater, alpine skier, and tennis player.

Her 500 m record of 46.6 seconds held until 1955, when Tamara Rylova of the Soviet Union beat it at the Medeo track in Alma Ata.

She settled on alpine skiing, a sport in which she'd earned good results at the national level but not internationally.

[4] After the World War II, Nilsen competed in alpine skiing at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, where she finished 7th in downhill and 14th in slalom.

"[5] Nilsen was also a member of the Norwegian women's national handball team and participated in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1963.