Our History
In 1983 it was decided that it was time to look for a suitable area to build a ski hill in Worsley. We had the long range of the Clear Hills but most of them were facing south. After doing a lot of Cross Country skiing it was evident that a south facing hill was not good during the last half of the winter. There was this large horseshoe that forms at the beginning of Webster Creek and a lot of it is facing east or even north/east and even had an old oil road running up through it as well part of this area was logged off in the early 70’s.
Some of us trekked this area by Cross-Country skis, snowmobile and Bombardier while having the usual picnic around a campfire discussing the possibilities of a good ski hill and the best area for it. Farther up this valley was too short and farther down was too flat so we settled on the location it is today.
We talked about a rope tow on an old tractor etc. But eventually settled on buying the Handle Tow Winch. This Handle Tow was 1200 ft. long located where the Bonsai Half Pine is now.
Our first chalet and rental shop was an old donated Cat Camp shack.
Rental skis and boots were purchased but snowboards were unheard of back then. So we got started in the Fall of 1984 with a working Ski Hill. Volunteers did all the work for the hill. In 1985 our first Log Chalet was built from trees cut on the Ski Hill area and sawed on site by local people and equipment at no cost. We area still very thankful to those people who donated their time and equipment.
Plans were underway for a T-Bar a half mile long. Oh, this would be a big step forward for our hill. We walked up and down the hill many times through heavy bush to find the right line to put it on. Funds were acquired and the T-Bar was ordered. All work was done by hand and cats. Gravel was hauled in late in the winter. Concrete was mixed with a mixer on the back of a tractor. Foundations were done and the lift arrived and was set up by a local D7 cat with a very large set of poles and winch line.
The haul rope was strung out and the spliced by an expert from Grande Prairie with local volunteers helping and the Orange T-Bar was ready for the skiers in the Fall of 1986. The Hill was popular and the skiers kept coming so soon it was time for a larger chalet. In 1987 a new chalet was built with logs taken from the new runs. The old chalet was turned into the Rental Shop.
Soon it was time for additional runs and another Lift. In 1994 we purchased the Green T-Bar and set it up with a lot of volunteer labour and equipment.
What next?
The Ski shop was too small so we added another 16 feet onto it. Now the chalet was too small. In 2002 we were able to hire a contractor to put an addition onto the chalet. This time with a caretaker suite downstairs.
What next?
Someone invented snowboards. That created a new challenge for us. Beginner snowboarders had a hard time making it up the T-Bar. Now we had to solve this problem. Well a chair lift would solve that one. It was now 2007. A suitable used chair lift was just not available and a new one was something only to be dreamed of.
After a lot of thinking and figuring and sessions with consultants and experts it was decided to give it a try. Eventually the finances were more or less in place and the Brand New Chair Lift was ordered. We removed the old orange T-bar and In the summer of 2008 Doppelmayr Lifts installed the new chair lift. We also purchased a new 180 kw Generator to get the 3 phase 600 V power needed and buried all wires underground. After a lot of time spent we even learned how to operate this big new complicated lift and all is working well. Thank you to everyone who helped us make this happen.
Some new exciting news is this summer we have been working hard and are installing a conveyor belt for the Snow School. We are sure the beginner skiers and snowboarders will like it.
Since our founding in 1983, Whispering Pines Ski Hill loves serving the outdoor recreation needs of the Northern Peace Country individuals and families, as well as many foreign travelers. Come enjoy our Beautiful little Hill with us and get out on the slopes!