Ottawa Ski Club - the Gatineau Valley Historical Society

YEAR BOOK 1951-52 33
GATINEAU PARK SKI PATROL
by G. DOUGLAS MciNTYRE
Ski patrols first started to function
in the U.S.A. during the winter of
1934-35 and they became so successtul
that the National :Ski Patrol System
was consulted by the United States
Government in the matter of training
ski troops ·during World War II. The
first ski ·patrol to ooerate in Canada
was organized at Ste Adele, Quebec,
in the Laurentians during the winter
of 1940·41. The following winter ski
.pa;trol activities received the 'sponsorship
of the Canadian Amateur Ski
Association and were 'Pla.ced undP.:t:
the control of the Ganadian Ski Patrol
System headed by Dr. Douglas Firth
of Toronto •as. Chairman assisted by
the writer as Vice-Chairman. During
succes•sive seasons the Canadian Ski
Patrol ·System was e~tended to all
Canadian ski centres and la;st winter
the writer was commiss~oned by the
Ottawa ·Ski Club >to establish the Gatineau
Park Ski Patrol.
First aid training began early in
January 1951 with twenty patrolmen
registered at St. Patrick'!S High School
under instructors· Howard and Alvin
Bergin of St. John Ambulance Brigade.
Clas.ses were held twice a week for
three weeks. Special ski safety and
winter first aid lectures were also
given to the prospective patrolmen.
Ski tests were subsequently held at
Alexander's Hill and each candidate
underwent the follo·wing examination:
(1) four linked stem turns slowly on
DIAL 4-7766
HOURS: 10-12 -2-5
Monday Thru Friday
SteW' art Ford
CHIROPRACTOR
19 WILTON CRESCENT
IRIDIAGNOSIS
Fallen Arches Adjusted