The Basin Record Newsletter Vol.6 Issue 3

Published by the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History CBIRH Newsletter : Vol. 6 No. 3 In the 1890’s deposits of gold-copper ore were found on the south side of Red Mountain which lead to a rush to stake claims and the creation of the town of Rossland, B.C. Rossland mines became famous around the world and attracted miners from many countries including Norwegians who brought with them their knowledge and love of skiing. They organized Rossland’s first ski club which held the first recorded ski competitions in Canada. On February 15, 1896 the first downhill race was held, it ran from the top of Red Mountain down the south side to the site of the present day museum and discovery centre. For numerous years ski tournaments were held during the Rossland Winter Carnival, which included downhill and cross country skiing as well as ski jumping. The downhill race ran from the top of Monte Christo down the south side to the top of Washington Street, then down to the finish line on Columbia Avenue. The cross country skiing started and finished at the Bank of Montreal going seven miles around the base of Red Mountain. On the south side of Monte Christo is where the ski jumping competitions where held. The Rossland Winter Carnival ran for many years with interest and attendance increasing yearly until the start of World War 1. The end of World War 1 and the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 brought an end to the Rossland Winter Carnival. Skiing continued with many people coming from Trail to Rossland on the morning bus and then skiing their way down through the golf course. They would then proceed down the old road to Trail as far as snow conditions permitted. At the end of the 1920’s a group purchased an old log cabin near the number nine fairway on the Rossland-Trail Golf course. In October 1929, the Trail-Rossland Ski Club was formed. They renovated the cabin to make it warm and more comfortable. The club built two ski jumps one north of the Rossland Reservoir and the Nelson Hill which was south of the old bridge in Trail. The Western Ski Association tournament was held there in 1934 and was a big success. During the early 1930’s a group of Rossland skiers took over a cabin on Barrie’s Ranch, on the south side of Deer Park Mountain. In 1933, the group formally organized and became The Rossland Ski Club. In 1934 the club selected an area at the base of Monte Christo which was suitable for a cabin and jump site. That summer and fall volunteers cleared the jump hill, built a jump as well as a cabin. The Rossland Ski Club held many competitions including The Western Canadian Amateur Finals as well as zone and club tournaments. On February 19, 1935 the first major tournament was held at The Rossland Ski Club Hill with competitors coming from Leavenworth, Wa., Nelson, Revelstoke, Trail and Vancouver. An estimated crowd of 1000 came to watch the jumping event. In the meantime Rossland’s name was dropped from the Trail-Rossland Ski Club’s title and became known as The Trail Ski Club. The Trail Ski Club also built a cabin across the valley near Red Mountain Road. On the fields below the cabin, they developed many slalom runs and installed a gas-driven rope tow. This increased the amount of downhill skiing terrain immensely. Despite the hard work of the two clubs’ membership, skiing had declined due to World War 2. In 1942 a decision was made to hold a race that ran from the top of Grey Mountain all the way into Rossland to popularize the sport. It was called the “Grey Mountain Grind” and was a combination of downhill and cross country skiing. The first race was held March 1, 1943, racers had to climb to the top of Grey Mountain, ski down the slopes of Grey Mountain into Squaw Basin, then down the trail to Indian Flats. From there they headed to Red Mountain road and the reservoir, finishing at the top of Spokane Street. The total distance was approximately six miles depending on the route chosen down Grey Mountain. The race would be held annually. The final race would be February 10, 1946. There was a race scheduled in 1947 but it was cancelled due to poor ski conditions. “The Grey Mountain Grind” became history when the first chair lift was built on Red Mountain in 1947 by The Red Mountain Ski Club; an amalgamation of the Trail and the Rossland ski clubs. Those who competed in “The Grind” remember the mad dash down the mountain and the trek into Rossland and it has a prominent place in Rossland’s skiing history. Become a Member of CBIRH Name:_____________________________________________ Mailing Address:_____________________________________ Phone Number:______________________________________ Email Address:______________________________________ Please drop off or mail this form with payments in cash, cheque or money order to Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History. 926 Baker St #3, Cranbrook, BC V1C 1A5 | Telephone: 1-844-550-9150 | E-mail: info@basininstitute.org Annual Membership Fee : Individual $ 25.00 : Family $ 40.00 : Institutional $ 50.00 :Corporate $ 200.00 2292.0087 2292.0014