1944-1945 Year Book - the Gatineau Valley Historical Society

78 Ottawa Ski Club Year Book 1944-45
The Western Lodge
Many of our newer members
have not yet visited the Western
Lodge and thereby have missed
one of the joys of the skiing
season. A trip over the Western
trail yields a variety of
pleasures which are unique
among the many furnished to
ou:z: members. It is true that
the trail is somewhat long as
trails go-about three milesbut
what are three miles on one
of our crisp, sparkling winter
days? lt will. not yield the same
kind' of thrills one ex:periences
on the SlaJom hil'l, 111ut isn't
variety still the spice of life?
For those who are experts in
downhill work a cross-country
hike makes a pleasant change.
For those who still prefer crosscountry
skiing, and there are
many, the Western trail offers
a trip through beautiful woodland
country with many good
slides. The country traversed is
quite different from the rest of
our ski terrain. After passing
Keogan's clearing the skier
ventures forth into an area
which, being more remote, is
much less frequented. Hence in
,the silent and restful woods one
has a feeling of being very, very
far away from the urban strains
and the healing influence of nature
is more keenly experienced.
Snow conditions on the Western
are usually different from
those on the other trails. When
the much-used trails leading to
Fortune are hard and uninviting,
it frequently happen's that
the Western is in first-rate
by Herbert Marshall
shape. So instead of snowplowing
for safety on hardpacked
trails why not ski with
freedom and enjoyment on the
Western?
In these days when our membership
is so large, Camp Fortune
sometimes becomes unpleasantly
congested. The Western
is a spacious lodge where·
you can lunch and rest in comfort.
It is unique in that it has
a separate lounge room. This
is not furnished with chesterfields
but it has high backed
benches which, when placed
around the huge drum stove,
create such comfort that one is
loath to leave. This lounge
room adds greatly to sociability.
Around the stove conversation
soom becomes general. An added
pleasure is the genial caretaker,
Russel Ormond, whose
winter ambition is to welcome
skiers to the . lodge and
see that everything is ready for
their enjoyment.
Apart from all these advantages,
it is worthwhile to
visit the Western Lodge because
it has the ·finest location of all
our lodges . . It rests close to the
edge of a · precipitous drop and
looks out across the Ottawa valley
and river. On a clear day
there is a marvellous prospect.
The view takes in many miles
beyond the Ottawa river and
long stretches up and down it.
The dining tables are placed bv
the windows looking out on thfs
view. The writer has not noticed
hungry skiers entirely
neglecting their lunch to gaze
spellbound at the panorama, but
the meals are slowed up.