Jacques Lüthy made his World Cup debut for Switzerland at the end of 1978, when he finished 10th in the Giant Slalom in Schladming, Austria. His next appearance was more fruitful, as he made it to the third podium spot in a January 1979 event. He had several successes over the next year, but it was still a surprise when he captured a bronze medal in the slalom at the 1980 Winter Olympics, barely edging out Austria’s Hans Enn. Lüthy was also fifth in the Giant Slalom, with an excellent second run that was unable to make up for a poor first one. He continued to compete through 1985, but never again made an appearance at the Olympics or a World Championship, and never won a World Cup event. He retired in early 1985 with a total of 10 podium finishes at the World Cup (six in the Giant Slalom and four in the slalom) and later ran a sports store in his home town of Charmey.