27

Round the Bend Skiers
1939
Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Revelstoke Museum and Archives

28

Jim McDonald, Bill and Don McCrae
January 1940
Jasper, Alberta

Credits:
Barbara Vigue

29

The keen backcountry skiers of Revelstoke not only explored the summit of Mt. Revelstoke but went further a field to Glacier. Now known as Rogers Pass, Glacier was accessible only by train, however there were many passenger trains each day in the 1930's and 40's. The ski group would head out for the day, exploring the Asulkan and Illecillewaet valleys.

30

Taking the train to Glacier
1939
Glacier National Park, British Columbia

Credits:
Barbara Vigue

31

Skiing up the Illecillewaet valley, Glacier National Park
1939
Glacier National Park, British Columbia

Credits:
Barbara Vigue

32

Skiing at Glacier, Asulkan Valley
1943
Glacier National Park, British Columbia

Credits:
Barbara Vigue

33

Bud Stovell on skiing at Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park
c. 1950
Glacier National Park, British Columbia

Credits:
Bud Stovell

34

Also in 1943, the first ski ascent (and descent) was done of Mt. Mackenzie. The backcountry skiers were keen to explore all parts of their locale and they wanted to keep their skis on as long as possible through the year. The McCrae family photo album documents "spring skiing" as late as mid-July on the summit of Mt. Revelstoke.

35

First ski ascent of Mt. Mackenzie
1943
Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Barbara Vigue

36

Spring skiing on Mt. Revelstoke
c. 1940's
Mount Revelstoke, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Barbara Vigue

37

Spring skiing, heading to the top of Mt. Revelstoke
c. 1940's
Mount Revelstoke, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Barbara Vigue

38

In 1948 a ski tow was installed on Mt. Revelstoke on the slopes behind the hospital (now Coopers). Rates were $2/day or $.25/ride for non-members, $.75/day or $.10/ride for members and $.25/day or $.05/ride for juveniles. A slalom hill was built from the Nels Nelsen hill down to Garden Street and lights were installed for night skiing. At this time, ski classes were also organized on Mt. Revelstoke. The new run was called "Hickory Run." A membership drive was actively pursued as the future of Revelstoke's ski program hinged on this. The illuminated "hospital hill" (Hickory Run) made skiing accessible at night. Revelstoke was determined to have a small ski hill for the community within easy access. Special offers were given for housewives learning to ski and a school program was set up for Grade 4 students who came to Mt. Revelstoke one day a week for their physical education program. The ultimate goal of the ski school was "...to teach the pupils in the shortest possible time to ski without falling, with control of direction and speed, and with a certain amount of elegance. And last, but not least, to ski at high speed, for speed is the thrill, but control is the art." (Mary McCrae, "Ski-Dos," Revelstoke Review, Jan. 1949).

39

Revelstoke's first ski tow, Hickory Run
February 1948
Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Revelstoke Museum and Archives

40

McCrae family going skiing to Hickory Run
1949
Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Barbara Vigue