Alpine Skiing

The history of alpine skiing in Kimberley goes back to Myrtle Mountain, where early enthusiasts built Kimberleyıs first ski lodge in 1938. Built at the base of Myrtle Mountain from logs, the lodge had a large stone fireplace to warm tired skiers. Eventually, the structure was dismantled and moved to Meadowbrook in the 1960ıs, just outside Kimberley.

There was no tow on Myrtle Mountain: skiers climbed up and then skied down. A generator supplied electricity for lighting and there was some night skiing even then. The hill was used during the late 30ıs and early 40ıs, the war years, but after the war the increasing popularity of the sport required a move to the much larger North Star Mountain, where the current resort is located.

North Star Mountain Ski Resort was built as a community based ski hill, volunteer labour an important contribution to the development of the hill. By the 1960ıs, young skiers from Kimberley began to emerge as national caliber athletes. Such Kimberley names as Leinweber, Rinaldi, and Ringheim were members of the National Ski Team, and in the late 70ıs and early 80ıs, Gerry Sorensen reached the pinnacle of alpine skiing. In February 1981, Sorensen won the World Cup Downhill race in Haus, Austria, with a time of 1:39.27, and in January 1982 she won the World Cup Downhill on two consecutive days at Grindlewald, Switzerland. Sorensen was only the third female skier ever to win back to back victories in the same event.

In 1982, Sorensen was named Canadaıs "Top Female Athlete", Sport B.C.ıs "Top Senior" and "Top Overall Athlete." In 1984, she won her 4th World Cup victory in 3 years in the Downhill Course at Puy St. Vincent, France. Gerry Sorensen Lenihan was inducted into the Canadian Sports of Fame in 1990.

North Star Mountain alpine ski programs flourished throughout the 70ıs and 80ıs. Considered Kimberleyıs ski hill, North Star flourished as Cranbrook entered a boom phase in the late 60ıs and throughout the 70ıs, many of Cranbrookıs new families joining Kimberley families on the slopes. School programs became involved as well, and many local enthusiasts can remember lineups meeting in front of the old lodge from the T-bar and the blue chair. The Easter Chairlift was added in the 1970ıs, reducing some of the congestion in the front of the hill.

With private ownership taking control of North Star Alpine Resort in the 1990ıs, many changes have taken place. A new high speed quad moves skiers from the base to the top, and new ski areas have been opened up in the front and in the back of the mountain.

Snowboarders have joined the ranks of alpine enthusiasts and competitors, but the skiers remain the primary focus of alpine competitions. In February, 100 skiers (ages 11-12) will compete in downhill and slalom events, attended by 16 coaches and 8 officials. With modern technologies, to enhance their performances, these young racers, and potential future champions, will test their limits and thrill spectators in their fearless pursuit of a medal.

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