“It’s the perfect stepping stone to all the bigger hills around us.”
Many would agree with the opinion of Casey Johnson, a member of the Board of Directors for the Hart Ski Hill, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary this weekend.
On Friday night, organizers put on a fundraising dinner and dance with a pancake breakfast the following morning.
Canadian Skiing icon Nancy Green Raine was in attendance for the event, posing as the event’s keynote speaker.
Johnson said Greene Raine’s message to those in attendance was simply put.
“One of the best lines I think that she said was ‘stay moving’. She’s 75 years old and she’s still skiing every day, and you’re lucky if you can keep up with her,” Johnson said.
Small in size but mighty in impact, Johnson said it meant a lot for the hill, and its members, to have Greene Raine come in and address the impact hills, like the Hart Ski Hill, can have on communities like Prince George.
“She talked about how the grassroots for Hart Ski Hill was the starting point for skiing, and really the starting point for a lot of things.
The Nancy Greene Ski League, which is also celebrating 50 years, had many of its local skiers present for the event. Greene Raine took to the slopes Saturday, along with many of those in attendance for the event.
Johnson said the event drew approximately 300 people to the Hart Ski Hill.
Greene Raine is best-known for the winning the Olympic and World Championship gold medals in Grenoble, France in 1968.
What she enjoys most about the sport is how inclusive it is to all age groups and skill levels.
“One of the things that keeps me so enthusiastic about skiing is seeing that its a sport and an endeavor that can be enjoyed on a casual weekend basis by kids from the little toddlers right up until the grandparents, said Greene Raine.”
Johnson says the funds raised from the event will go back to the hill and its operation.
“Three years ago, we went from 15 days of skiing to just over 100 days last year. This year, we’ll probably break that,” said Johnson. “The reason is — all the funds for events, like the 50th anniversary, go right back to the hill. Last year, they were able to purchase their first snowmaking machine. There’s another on order for this year — they have a goal for three altogether, which then builds the season longer.”
Johnson adds he is expecting the hill to remain open for the season well through the end of March.