The Ridge - Information about our Ski Hill

About the Murray Ridge Ski Area

Murray Ridge is a family oriented ski hill located 15 minutes north-west of Fort St. James! The ski area includes many features sure to please everyone!

History of the Murray Ridge Ski Area

The Fort St. James Ski Club operates the Murray Ridge Ski Area. The Fort St. James Ski Club is a registered society. This Club has an Annual General Meeting once every year to elect Directors to run the Murray Ridge Ski Area. All Directors are volunteer citizens interested in the promotion of the ski industry at Murray Ridge Ski Area.

The Ski Area has been operational since the 1976-77 ski season. The first year of operation the Club used two rope-handle tow systems that took skiers as high as the present tower 4 level. The original planning of the ski area was assisted with the advice of Al Raine. The early years saw run improvement and clearing with volunteer labour and equipment. All run packing was done with a snowmobile and man-made packing devices. Within a few years, a packer was purchased and soon skiers were towed up the newly cleared Cassiar run.

The present day T-bar was purchased with the aid of government funds and installed with the support of local contractors in the fall of 1979. The day lodge facility was built with government money from the Expo Legacy fund in 1986. In 1990, the Ski Club bought the Ski Shop from New Caledonia Supplies and the Ski Club has been operating the cafeteria over the past two seasons. Up to this time, the cafeteria had been leased out to other businesses.

The 1990 - 91 season saw the addition of a beginner slope and handle lift which provides the Ski School with an area to instruct and supplies the public with an isolated area to come out and try the sport. The Ski Club has been looking toward the future to explore possibilities and ways of increasing the level of service to local skiers. Some of the future proposals may include the development of the north side, the installation of a chair lift, cabin lot development, snow making equipment, expansion of the day lodge, etc.

The goal and philosophy of the Fort St. James Ski Club has always been to provide affordable family skiing to our local population.

 

Murray Ridge Trail Map

Download a printable version of the Murray Ridge Trail Map as an PDF file. You will need the Free Acrobat reader to view.