1
In the 10-years following, the Gatineau Ski Patrol achieved a "… very high state of efficiency" (Marshall, p.46) assisted in part by improvements in both infrastructure and equipment. The number of patrollers grew from its initial 24 to 45 by 1964.In 1962-63, the Ottawa Ski Club was faced with a dilemma. The Canadian Ski Patrol System's first aid instruction was provided by the Canadian Red Cross. To retain the services of the St John Ambulance Brigade, the OSC (by a majority vote of the ski patrollers) withdrew from the CSPS to form its own patrol known as the Ottawa Ski Club Aid and Rescue Patrol, the OSCARS. This organization continued to provide a ski patrol service to the skiing public at Camp Fortune until the early 1990s when the ski club experienced financial difficulties and went into receivership.
In the early 1990s, the Ottawa Ski Club, the owner of Camp Fortune, was in serious financial difficulties resulting in the club's bankruptcy. In 1993, the National Capital Commission (NCC) purchased the ski area and its facilities. While an attempt was made to integrate the former OSC patrols, the ski club's Trail Riders, Night Riders and OSCARS into the NCC's own ski patrol organization, it was a case of a "…bureaucratic culture meeting a "can do" volunteer culture…" and probably doomed to failure from the outset. (Christina Davis, "Ottawa at Home" magazine, 2005) The negotiations collapsed.
Subsequently, the NCC sold Camp Fortune to private interests, the Suderman family from Winnipeg. The Sudermans had already been exposed to the excellent work of the CSPS at a small resort in Manitoba and needed no persuasion to invite the CSPS to return, in 1995, to patrol the alpine trails at Camp Fortune after a 32-year absence.
Currently, the Gatineau Zone of the Canadian Ski Patrol System continues it excellent work to ensure the safety of the skiing public at no fewer than 10 areas in both in Quebec and Ontario's Ottawa region:
Camp Fortune, Quebec Mont Chilly, Quebec
Calabogie Peaks, Ontario Mount Pakenham, Ontario
Deep River, Ontario Mont Sainte Marie, Quebec
Edelweisss Valley, Quebec Nakkertok Nordic, Quebec
Mont Cascades, Quebec Ski Vorlage, Quebec
2
This was Dr. Douglas Firth's personal name tag. It is from the CSPS central zone in 1985.Circa 1985
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
3
This is a CSPS belt buckle. It was Dr. Douglas Firth's personal belt buckle.1941-1970
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
4
Members of the CSPS1980-1990
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
5
Canadian Ski Patrol System information leaflet.1970-1979
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
6
This button was sold for fundraising in 1960 for the CSPS.Circa 1960
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
7
This is a fundraising button for the CSPS from 1969. It was owned by Dr. Douglas Firth.Circa 1969
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
8
This button was sold for fundraising in 1970 for the CSPS. It was owned by Dr. Douglas Firth.Circa 1970
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
9
This button was sold for fundraising in 1977 for the CSPS. It was owned by Dr. Douglas Firth.Circa 1977
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
10
This button was sold for fundraising in 1979 for the CSPS. It was owned by Dr. Douglas Firth.Circa 1979
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
11
This is a fundraising button for the CSPS. It is a 40t anniversary button from 1981.Circa 1981
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
12
Fundraising button from 1982. This was sold for $1.00.Circa 1982
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
13
This is a fundraising button for the CSPS from 1983. The traditional price of this buttons is $1.00Circa 1983
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
14
This is a fundraising button for the CSPS from 1985. The traditional price of these buttons is $1.0Circa 1985
Credits:Canadian Ski Museum
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