The Laurentian Ski Club
100 YEARS OF SKIING
Ski Jump Competition at Laurentian Ski Club
A giant ski jump was constructed by volunteer club members in 1935 between McKee Street and Bolton. Ski clubs from all over Ontario came to compete in 1936, and the club gained widespread recognition.
Courtesy of David Hansman
The Laurentian Ski Club (LSC) was officially formed in 1925, at a time when skiing was transitioning from a form of transportation in winter to a recreational and competitive sport. It holds a special place in Canada’s skiing history as one of the earliest ski clubs in Ontario and was an important contributor to the development of skiing in the region.
The founding members of the club worked for the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario (T&NO) Railway. Walter Beattie was president, and Ab Hansman was secretary-treasurer.
The name Laurentian Ski Club was selected because the club mostly skied on the Laurentian Highlands. In 1929, the club reorganized and began to rent and later buy land from the McLeod Family at a property that became known as “Laurentian Heights.”
T&NO Railway Ski Trip c.1923
Prior to the founding of the Laurentian Ski Club, ski trips were planned by T&NO railway employees. A group would get dropped off at Widdifield Station, then ski back to the city.
Courtesy of David Hansman
Laurentian Ski Club Rope Tow
Rope tows were constructed beginning in 1948 and used until the 1960s when T bar lifts were installed.
Courtesy of David Hansman
The LSC was instrumental in developing Laurentian Ski Hill. Throughout its history the club has been held together by a strong spirit of volunteerism and community.
This ski hill became a hub for both recreational skiing and competitive events. A one room shack was constructed in 1930 near the bottom of the hill. Over time, the “shack” was converted into a more elaborate chalet.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the ski hill experienced rapid growth. In the 1980s, Laurentian Ski Hill expanded operations to include snowboarding and freestyle ballet skiing.
Sketch of Laurentian Ski Club Jump
Courtesy David Hansman
T-Bar lifts c.1970s
North Bay Museum Collection
By 1990, there were 5000 members. By 1993, membership dropped to 2000, and by 1996, the Laurentian Ski Hill was forced to close due to financial difficulties. In 1998, the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) purchased the property and reopened the hill to skiers on Boxing Day.
In 2004, the NBMCA decided it could no longer operate the ski hill. A grassroots committee named “Save Our Ski Hill” was formed, and the hill was reopened by a new incarnation of the Laurentian Ski Club.
Recently, Laurentian Ski Hill has seen an uptick in snowboarding and overall attendance. The hill is known for its excellent location within North Bay making skiing accessible to the local community.
Snowboarding at Laurentian Ski Hill
Courtesy of Duncan Cornthwaite
Chalet interior, c.1940s
Courtesy of David Hansman
Ski Club Flag, c.1930s
Courtesy of David Hansman
Did You Know…
City workers helped volunteers bring in snow for the Ontario Ski Championships in 1937, because the hill was dry on both sides of the ski jump.
The ski hill was 2 miles from a road when it opened. There was no lift so you had to cross country ski 2 miles from the city to get to the hill. The Nordic Ski Club split off from Laurentian in 1975.
Laurentian Ski Club members helped open ski clubs in Sudbury (1937) and also taught lessons in Timmins (1939).
The club organized some of the earliest competitive skiing events in the region, helping to establish a skiing culture in Northern Ontario.
Student Skiers
In 1939, the Club began to hold interscholastic competitions with teams from all over North Bay competing at the hill.
Courtesy of David Hansman
Laurentian Ski Club Badges and Plaques, 1930–1981 Mounted
The North Bay Fur Carnival launched in 1966 and ran until 1977. One of the club’s founders, Ab Hansman, started a collection of annual membership badges and plaques along with an extensive archive of club photos and news articles. His son Charlie and grandson David expanded and preserved the collection.
On loan from David Hansman
The Burial of the Cans, 1934
With no road access to the top of the hill and no garbage removal by the city of North Bay, waste removal was far from simple. Each spring, a “Burial of the Cans” ceremony was held, complete with Pipe and Drums, to commemorate the clean up and disposal of the winter’s accumulation of garbage. Cans were crushed and buried.
Courtesy of David Hansman
Remember When…
“You could say I was born with skies on my feet. My grandfather was one of the founders of Laurentian Ski Club, and a Canadian champion skier in 1936. My father, Charles, was also a champion skier while my mom and aunts were ski instructors. I grew up on the hill. My gloves wore out on the rope tow as a little kid. Five generations of my family have learned to ski at the Laurentian Ski Hill.”
David Hansman
Grandson of AB Hansman
“This is how I got my start in skiing, taking lessons, having fun, and going to the hill with my family… It’s amazing that from this clubhouse I was able to travel around the world.”
Kate Pace Lindsay
Winner of six World Cup Medals, granddaughter of early member Al Pace
Excerpt from the North Bay Nugget