{"id":3379,"date":"2023-07-07T10:46:11","date_gmt":"2023-07-07T16:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowvalley.ca\/ski-hill\/blog\/?p=3379"},"modified":"2023-07-07T10:46:13","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T16:46:13","slug":"75-seasons-on-snow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowvalley.ca\/ski-hill\/blog\/75-seasons-on-snow\/","title":{"rendered":"75 Seasons on Snow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 2023-24 ski season will mark seventy-five years of skiing at Snow Valley.\u00a0 The club\u2019s long and rich history is a testament to those who started it all by walking up Whitemud Creek ravine and sliding down the slopes. <\/em>\u00a0Here\u2019s how it got going\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Book<\/figure>
\n

The following is taken from \u201cThe Snow Valley Story: 65 Years in the Making\u201d a 65th<\/sup> anniversary initiative written by Steve Kenworthy with design and layout by Brandon Pedersen.\u00a0 Steve is a freelance writer who worked several seasons at Snow Valley as well as Castle Mountain Resort and others.\u00a0 Brandon worked at Snow Valley for three seasons in the Marketing Department and continues to work in the industry as a representative for Salomon equipment.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Skiing at the site of present day Snow Valley Ski Club started informally around 1948, at a time when many areas around the city that had suitable slopes were being explored by skiers looking for new places to slide.  At the time, the area was pastureland owned by a nearby farmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It wasn\u2019t until 1952 when a trio of men eager to develop a new ski area in Edmonton began eyeing up the Whitemud Creek basin for its commercial skiing potential.\u00a0 The group operated under the name Adsum Ltd and was made up of Bill Evans, Ed Bryant and Larry Mitanski. Adsum was originally formed to develop a ski resort at Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park but they were \u201c10 years too early\u201d said Evans. Adsum lacked the finances and support of the national park to bring their vision to life in Jasper.\u00a0 However, they still wanted to see the sport grow so they set their sights on Edmonton, where skiing was regaining popularity as part of the post-war economic boom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Unknow trio at Snow Valley. We’re not saying this is Bill, Ed and Larry …but not not saying it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After several months of planning and construction, Adsum had developed Snow Valley into Edmonton\u2019s newest full service ski area and in January 1953, the slopes officially opened to the public. \u00a0The facility included a modern rope tow serving four large slopes and trails, a chalet with snack bar providing hot drinks and providing regular ski services, a ski school and free parking for hundreds of cars.\u00a0 Vertical drop was 40 meters.\u00a0 During the opening weekend ski the legendary mountain guide Bruno Engler provided instruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Rope<\/figure>
\n

The original rope tow was one that Evans and his partners had planned to use at Marmot Basin.\u00a0 A Mercury V-8 engine, which produced 115 horsepower, powered it and the design ensured the rope did not become wet and icy from dragging on the ground, something that was a problem in the days of rope tows.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Other milestones in the early days include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n