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Tweedsmuir Ski Club celebrates 50 years; officially opens new cabin

Tweedsmuir Ski Club celebrates 50 years; officially opens new cabin
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Some of the Tweedsmuir Ski Club's founding members. L to R: Ken Corbould

Founding members were on hand to witness the opening of the brand new Tweedsmuir Ski Club overnight cabin last week, bringing with them memories of the original cabin that was built almost 50 years ago.

Constructed in 1966, the original cabin was always a welcome sight to cold snowmobilers and skiers alike, and was enjoyed by hundreds of valley residents over the years.

In 1965 the Tweedsmuir Ski Club went up to the site to cut and peel the pine logs used to make the cabin, and the following year Ron Harrison, Gloria Mecham and Burt and Peggy Matthews took a tractor in there to construct it. Burt and Peggy chose the site because they rode horses through there and they liked the area, so the cabin was built overlooking the small lake. It took a week to build it, and the Ski Club joined them to put on the roof.

Over the years there were always additions being made to the cabin. Counters were built, a woodshed was constructed, bunks and tables were built, and the last few years major maintenance had been done to the site. “It was one of the best snowmobile cabins in the province,” said Ken Corbould of the Tweedsmuir Ski Club. “It had everything you needed in it.”

Founding member Ron Harrison was on hand to talk about the past efforts of the ski club, and brought with him old photos and articles from the past. “We started getting into skiing at Nusatsum, and then we discovered the ski hill up here in the Rainbow Range,” said Harrison. “Back then, we had two ski instructors and three tows running on the original hill.”

Harrison recalled the early days of the ski club, which was so large it inspired him to open a small ski shop out of his home. “I still have inventory left!” he said.

Replacing that old cabin is a brand-new structure offering a great getaway for snowmobilers, skiers, and winter enthusiasts. A gigantic effort was made on behalf of the current ski club members to get it done, and they had a lot of help.

“There were many, many people who helped and donated to get this cabin built,” said Communications Director David Flegel. “The Quesnel Snowmobile Club donated the structure, and many people in Quesnel also donated money and fuel to transport the cabin. The Williams Lake Log Hauler’s Association donated $17,000, which we used to complete and furnish the cabin.”

Flegel also presented a commemorative plaque thanking the many volunteers who coordinated efforts to get the cabin re-built and completed all of the finishing work. There are plans to get some of the old photographs framed and hung in the cabin for everyone to enjoy. The Coast Mountain News is also pursuing a story of the complete history of the cabin, which will be published in a future issue.

The new cabin is truly fantastic. If you are interested in spending the night or finding out what the Tweedsmuir Ski Club has to offer, check them out online at www.tweedsmuirskiclub.com.