Mt. Agassiz supporters still hoping to save the mountain

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Published on Thursday, February 19, 2015

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner

Ski hill enthusiasts have one last chance to voice their support for Mount Agassiz. A rally and celebration for the ski area and Alpine Archie, the well-known roadside attraction synonymous with the region, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21, on Highway Five near McCreary. The event will run for the entire day, but several planned activities are scheduled between 2:00 and 4:00 pm.

This gathering is part of the ongoing saga for the facility in Riding Mountain National Park, which has been dormant for about 15 years. Last year, Parks Canada rejected a $4.5-million plan to reopen the ski area. The removal of the ski lifts from the site is already underway with clubhouse, lounge and maintenance shed removal started earlier this week. These latest moves appear to snuff out any hope that the former ski hill can be resurrected, although supporters, including Kelly Rose, who has been working for several years to save Mount Agassiz, say that they’re not giving up.

“One would hope that [at the Feb. 21 event], people can put their heads and energy together to plan a new future for the Mount Agassiz site that respects the history and natural assets of the area,” said Rose. “We’ve had people contacting us from all across Manitoba, saying they’ll be there to show support. Some old-time skiers who would take to the slopes on Agassiz back in the day, as well as the younger generation, who never had the opportunity to ski there but still see its value and believe it’s worth preserving,” 

Rose said that preliminary support for the gathering has been positive and they’re expecting a large number of people to be on the ground, as a part of these efforts.

“Right now, we could see as many as 500 or 600 people come together for a last hurrah, which we hope will not be a last hurrah.” said Rose. “It’s really quite overwhelming.”