Hollyburn Pioneer Skiers

I just love this group, truly. For eight years now, the Hollyburn Heritage Society has hosted the annual Pioneer Skiers' Reunion. But this year marked an even more significant millennium milestone as the gang got together to climb their way back to the top. Last Wednesday, atop Cypress mountain, everyone gathered at the cross-country ski parking lot to organize their way into the woods. Destination: the original Hollyburn Ski Camp at First Lake. Something tells me there's a fountain of youth hidden in them thar hills, because this athletic bunch refuses to look, or act, their age. Mountain lovers, ski racers and instructors from as far back as the 1920's came along for some fun proving once again that life in Vancouver is just plain good for the soul. God bless and thank you for your invitation and inspiration.


Mt. Baker Ski School owner Franz Gabl (left) won a silver medal in the 1948 winter Olympics. He remembers Betty Ozanne (who held up some authentic Edelweiss) as one of his instructors before she became a member of Vancouver's "Viski" gang.	West Vancouver's Jack Hegeman was all ready to hike in to the cabin to see his old pals.	Brian Creer (centre) was looking forward to getting lost in the woods with these pretty gals, namely Gerry Krainer (left) and wife Eileen Creer.	Since 1947, Roy Vollet has been strapping on the skis. He's still swooshing down the slopes to this day.	"In 1937, we used to hike from the WV Ferry, up 21st Street and then up the mountain carrying our skis," said Alan Gaunt (left) and Sid Devries. These days, 78-year-old Sid said he prefers rollerblading.

Cypress Bowl president Wayne Booth was there to wish skiers Ethel Prenter (left) and Win "Buddy Barker" Oliver a safe and happy trek.	Organizers Alex Douglas (left) and Greta Tapp were busy at the check-in desk. Extra transportation to the lake was also supplied for guests.	Ernie Griffiths has been skiing for close to 73 years while Mercia McPherson refuses to call it quits after 80 years.	Ski racer Pat (Cowper) Gordon (left) first tackled Hollyburn in 1936 while Westlake cabin owner Tom Cadwallader fell in love with his wife Lorraine (right) somewhere in the back woods in 1944.	No one wanted to lose Bob Cooper in the woods, so he was issued his own personal bag of breadcrumbs (just kidding Bob - wink).

Stuart Carruthers (left), seen here with companion Barbara Anderson, built his log cabin here back in 1932.

Because the larger photos take us so much memory, I have not posted them here. If you want a copy of one of these larger photos, please feel free to email me at cbarr@westvancouver.com

Page created by Catherine Barr on 21/8/00