Rossland has put in its name for the honour of having the nation’s ski museum. Mayor Greg Granstrom recently sent a letter to the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and Museum asking for the city to be considered as a new location for the museum.
After Teck Metals Limited announced that the museum’s main attraction - the mine tour - would not be re-opening, the trio of the museum, city and Teck began working together to find an alternative attraction.
Granstrom explained that the three had been developing plans to significantly upgrade and enhance the museum’s facilities and feel that the hall of fame would be a perfect addition to the city.
“We feel our city is a natural fit for the relocation of the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and Museum,” Granstrom said in the letter.He went on to say that the city and board of directors also has extensive experience with the preservation and displaying of valuable artifacts and archives.
Rossland also has an extensive ski history, with Red chair being the first lift in Western Canada and the hill hosting the first World Cup event in North America in 1968. There are also a wealth of ski heroes that have emerged from the city, such as Nancy Greene Raine and Kerrin Lee Gartner.
Rossland was also home to the father of competitive skiing, Olaus Jeldness.
“Red Mountain ski area is most significant in the history of skiing, particularly competitive skiing, in Canada,” Granstrom explained. “We have a host of athletes that have performed admirably on the world stage and a resume that that contains many achievements in the ski industry.”
The city will now await news from the hall of fame board on whether it can put together and present a formal proposal.