A piece of Prince George's history was uncovered this week.
Ron Fawcett, of Kelson Investments, found the original base of the old 100 Steps Ski Hill while he was excavating for a new building at the base of Cranbrook Hill.
The discovery brought back treasured memories to Fawcett, explaining to PrinceGeorgeMatters his family lived in the northern capital for almost 30 years.
"I actually skied on this area in the mid to late '60s," he said.
"Our company’s ownership dates back to a company that operated in Prince George, Roses Ice Cream Ltd (still registered), from the late ’40s until the mid ’60s. Finding this footing has special meaning to myself as well as our company."
The 100 Steps Ski Hill was once known as “B.C.’s Biggest Little Mountain” and was located near, what is now known as, University Way, and featured three runs and a 1,500 ft. T-bar rising 300 vertical feet.
The privately-owned ski hill opened in the late 1960s and was named after a large set of timber stairs used to haul concrete to build a water reservoir on the hill.
Later, soldiers from the nearby Second World War army base would use the stairs for training.
According to a Prince George Heritage Commission sign, the resort was operated by city manager Arran Thomspon and his family.
He purchased the ‘Old Brown Farm” south and adjacent to the ski hill in 1948.
In 1965, they began the process of clearing trees from the hill and once it was complete, they advertised beginner, intermediate and expert runs all lit for night skilling and posted some of the lowest user fees in B.C. at $2.50 per day for adults and $2 per day for students and juniors.
Prince George school district classes even received ski rentals and lessons for $1 per child.
The on-site lodge provided lessons, rentals and a venue for year-round special events. The “Hida-way” dining lounge was also very popular with hungry skiers.
In 1971, the lodge was gutted by fire.
It was rebuilt, but in the Spring of 1974, the hill closed for good. The land was sold for the city and became part of the new Foothills subdivision.
The T-bar lift was sold to Paskapoo Ski Hill in Calgary (now known as Canada Olympic park).
The Heritage Commission says for several years, city council considered reviving the hill as a publicly operated facility similar to community pools and arenas, but the idea never gained enough support to become a reality.
