Dan Seguin is not much of a skier, but he would like to see the Grizzly Ridge ski hill back in business. He likes the idea so much he’s got 800 signatures of support and is ready to do whatever work is necessary to re-open the hill.
“It wouldn’t take much to make it operational,” he says.
Seguin figures it’s a matter of two weeks work to get things shipshape for the 04/05 season. It would take the go-ahead from the Town and of course rounding up sufficient volunteers.
“I sent a letter to the mayor,” he says.
The hill has been shut down for several years after the club that ran it folded and the responsibility fell upon the Town of Slave Lake. The council of the day decided it wasn’t worth the effort or expense.
Community Services Director Karl Hill says road maintenance is a big issue. Insurance is another considerable expense. But the biggest problem, he says, “is that the hill is gradually falling away.”
All other factors being equal (meaning if the hill didn’t slump, vandalism was no worse than usual and there were no major equipment problems), the hill could make money in years when it could open over the Christmas holidays. But in about three years out of five there wasn’t enough snow. The snowmaking equipment was quite fussy and more often than not the volunteers weren’t able to make enough of the white stuff.
Council weighed the cost of running the hill against other recreation needs in Slave Lake and decided against keeping it open.
But Hill says if a volunteer group emerges with the willingness and ability to revive the ski hill council would probably re-examine it.
Seguin is certainly enthusiastic. He worked at the ski hill in its last year of operation and figures he can get it going again. He needs help though. Contact him at 805-6372 or e-mail grizzlyridge@writeme.com.

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