1

Early references suggest that skiing was introduced to the National Capital region in the late 19th century by an unlikely source, Governor General Lord Hamilton.

The grounds of the Governor General's Residence, Rideau Hall, and adjacent Rockcliffe Park, both a stone's throw from the parliament buildings, became the focus for the new activity close to the heart of the Nation's Capital, Ottawa, ON.

2

Archie Gordon, skiing on the grounds of Rideau Hall 75.33.1
1897
Governor General's Residence: Rideau Hall, Ottawa, ON

3

Skiers at Rockcliffe Park, note the use of single long pole, 1895 74.39.1.26
1895
Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, ON

4

Interest in the sport evolved rapidly and by 1899 the record indicates that "It (was) as common a sight here now to see people with a pair of skis on their shoulder as to see them carrying an umbrella". (History of the Ottawa Ski Club, 1972, by Herbert Marshall, p.4)

5

Original members of the Ottawa Ski Club 74.39.1.38
1910
Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, ON

6

Demand for equipment had grown such that in 1901, on February 5th, the Ottawa Journal carried an advertisement for skis and equipment imported from Stockholm. Eleven years later, custom skis were available from $4.00 up while skis imported from Norway were priced from $3 to $9 a pair. By today's standards the skis of the early 20th century were primitive to say the least.

Mr C E Mortureux, President of the Ottawa Ski Club for 27 years from 1919 - 1946, described a pair of skis he purchased in 1906 as being made of maple, eight feet long, nearly five inches wide, accompanied by "a splendid pole nine feet long". (Marshall, p.5)

7

Members of the Cliffside Ski Club gather outside of the Rockcliffe Park tea house. 76.15.1
1919
Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, ON

8

Skiers at Rockcliffe Park, 74.39.1.67F
1920
Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, ON

9

Three women skiers in early ski attire, at Pink Lake, Gatineau Hills early 1900s 74.39.1.37
1900
Pink Lake, Gatineau Park, QC

10

Sigurd Lockeberg Jumping on early cordwood ski jump 74.39.1.97
1910
Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, ON

11

As cross-country or trail skiing gained in popularity, there was a parallel development involving a smaller but equally enthusiastic following: ski jumping. This too originated in Rockcliffe Park on a slope known appropriately as Suicide Hill.

12

Side view of Rockcliffe Park ski jump with unidentified skier in the foreground. x2004.2.1
1911
Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, ON

13

Gathering of Ottawa Ski Club jumping group and others 74.39.1.76
1910
Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, ON

14

It was the "plank hoppers", as they were described by C E Mortureux , who, between 1910 and the outbreak of World War l in 1914, built the first wooden jumping tower in Rockcliffe Park. The jumpers built the tower in annual stages until it reached a final height in excess of 100 feet.