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In 1969, Mt. Revelstoke Winter Sports amalgamated with Mt. Mackenzie Ski Developments. Running the downhill area on Mt. Revelstoke wasn't feasible anymore, so the poma lift was sold to Mt. Mackenzie and moved. This move spelled the death knell of skiing on Mt. Revelstoke. Though Parks had agreed to the hill being open for jumping tournaments, fewer people were interested, especially since there was no tow on the hill. There were moves to procure a tow for Mt. Revelstoke but liability issues put a stop to that. As well, the jumping tournaments of 1971 and 1972 had been a financial disaster and the jump had been difficult to prepare in 1972 due to too much snow.

The Revelstoke Ski Club was given space in the chalet at Mt. Mackenzie from which to operate their club and the ski club did maintain separate divisions for downhill, slalom, cross country and even jumping for a while. There were brief thoughts of trying to revive the jumping tradition on Mt. Mackenzie but they never came to fruition. In 1973, there were downhill and slalom races held on both Mt. Mackenzie and Mt. Revelstoke.

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Slalom skier, Mt. Mackenzie
late 1960's
Mt. Mackenzie, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Catherine Sinclair

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There was lots of action on Mt. Mackenzie in terms of growth. In 1973, there was discussion about a helicopter run from the top of Mt. Mackenzie. Blake Franklin had the contract to log on Mt. Mackenzie and he quickly saw the potential that Paul Mair and Donald Sinclair had seen: that a ski run off the top of Mt. Mackenzie would give 6000' vertical feet of skiing… longer than any run at that time. Blake logged a road to the top and also logged the 5 mile downhill run from the top which became known as the "Powder Downhill" with races being held on this run through the mid-1970's. Blake could take people to the top in his "Tucker Snow Cat" or people could take a helicopter to the top. At the time, this was the longest ski run in North America. By 1977, helicopter skiing had started; 4 people paying $25 each could get a lift to the top of the mountain with a glorious 6000' of vertical awaiting them. Or if there was bad weather, the "snow bus" could take them to the top.

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Helicopter skiing, Mt. Mackenzie
late 1960's
Mt. Mackenzie, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Catherine Sinclair

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Ski racing developed on Mt. Mackenzie with the Nancy Greene league for youth and the Molstar Series for amateurs. The Molstar Series was started in 1973 and encouraged intermediate to advanced skiers to race the open giant slalom. The course was 20 or more flagged gates on a moderate course and the racer's time was measured relative to a "best time" that was set earlier that day by a professional. The times were rated to within a certain percentage of the "best time" and in this way scores could be standardized across the province.
Also at this time, the Pontiac Cup Series of races was instigated. These races were slalom and giant slalom and were designed to prepare competitors for the World Cup and Olympics.

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Pontiac Cup race series program
1976
Mt. Mackenzie, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Revelstoke Museum and Archives

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Though many events were geared towards both amateur and professional racers, Mt. Mackenzie always had races for the ski enthusiast and those who just wanted to have fun. Races held over the years included the Powder Downhill: 5 miles from the top; the Antique Telemark Race, where competitors dressed up in heritage costumes and raced gates on telemark skis; the "Canoe Race" where 2 people in a canoe raced down the lower slopes of Mt. Mackenzie or the "Dummy Downhill" where mannequins were fitted to a ski "frame" and set off downhill and over a jump. Fun, carnival events are annual fare on Mt. Mackenzie and started off with the "Mad, mad masquerade" in the 1960's, with activities for youth, fun races, a torch light slalom race, clowns and prizes.

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Masquerade Race, Mt. Mackenzie
late 1960's
Mt. Mackenzie, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Catherine Sinclair

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Hans Travnicek reviving the "gelandesprung"
1970's
Mt. Mackenzie, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Catherine Sinclair

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The Grouse Mountain chair was installed at Mt. Mackenzie opening up even more terrain. However, financial pressures on Mt. Mackenzie Ski Developments, Ltd. put them into receivership in 1979-80. The ski hill was bought out by Albert Canyon Recreation Ltd., which ran a more formal Cat Skiing program on the mountain as well as the downhill.

This arrangement only lasted a few years and when the new company went bankrupt, the City of Revelstoke bought the ski hill and ran it until 1998, when Clyde Newsome took over the management of Powder Springs. At this point, a road was built to the upper lodge which was built by Clyde. A new chair lift was installed (fondly called the "Powder Slug,") and new runs were cut to optimize the terrain. Racing continued to be an important aspect of the Revelstoke Ski Club with divisions for youth and adults as well.

In the 1980's, locals Kendra Kobelka and Danny Moar were on the Canadian National Ski Team and skiing in World Cup Races. Racing and training for youth continue today through the Nancy Greene Ski league and the Kinder (K) Race Program.

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Mini Olympics, Mt. Mackenzie
2006
Mt. Mackenzie, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Ken Gibson

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Giant slalom race, Kinder (K) Race program
2007
Mt. Mackenzie, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Ken Gibson

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Slalom Racer, Mt. Mackenzie
1990's
Mt. Mackenzie, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Ken Gibson

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In 1989, the Nordic Branch split from the main club but both branches have their roots in the original ski club of 1891 and continue to share that heritage, tradition and love of skiing with new generations of skiers. The Revelstoke Ski Club focuses on the alpine elements: downhill and slalom.