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/ ii\)t cùmainan Statesman Section Two Wednesday, February 6,1985 Ski Club Looks to 50th Birthday Hitting the West Chalet after a hard day on the slopes is a popular idea among members of the Oshawa Ski Club who can either bring their own lunch to the chalet or order a hot meal from the cafeteria. fciiiifrw'kw^ These are just a few of the youths enrolled in Club which includes lessons for anyone from five the various programs offered at the Oshawa Ski years of age and up. Snow Reports For daily snow reports, bus schedules, and general information, call 723-5248. For school programs on a special rate call 725-8890. Membership inquiries can be made by phoning 725- 5235. by Catherine Denny Taking to the slopes has always been one of Durham Region's most popular pastimes pastimes during these otherwise otherwise tedious winter months. And it looks as though the people's choice this season is to ski Kirby. Between 1,400 and 2,000 people venture to the Oshawa Ski Club in Kirby everyday to try out one of their 20 runs designed to suit all levels of ability. Whether you're a great skier, a good skier, or just a beginner, the club has the facilities to make you feel right at home with challenging challenging hills for the pros or inexpensive! inexpensive! lessons for those just learning to downhill. However, it seems the most popular attraction at the hill this year is the Pee Wee Instruction Program which has already registered registered 500 participants between between the ages of five and 13 years old. Classes for the youngsters are held Saturday and Sunday Sunday mornings and are listed at only $9 for seven complete complete ski sessions. Adult group lessons and Junior lessons for ages six to 16 are also available for a maximum of seven sessions sessions for $45 and $25, respectively. respectively. Those interested in receiving receiving convenient, private instruction with individual attention are required to pay a minimal charge of $15 per hour. Of course, membership at the club is for any age group, with a noticeable increase increase in the number of toddlers donning the skis this season. "I put my kids on the slopes at 2 years of age," explained Property Manager Manager for the Oshawa Ski Club, Dick Rutherford. "You can actually start your children whenever they seem ready, but it's not a good idea to force them into it." Dick went on to explain that introducing kids to the sport at a young age is beneficial, beneficial, but they shouldn't be left on . their own until they're capable of putting on their own skis. The family-oriented club with its many social events, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, having having already celebrated its 30th ybar at thé' Kirby loca-- • tion in 1983. The hill, a member owned, non-profit ihcor- ported club, started operation operation with a mere one rope and shack. Thirty-two years later, the Oshawa Ski Club boasts six t-bars, three rope tows, two large chalets, day lodges, cafeterias, ski shop, rentals, repairs, professional professional instruction, and qualified ski patrol.. "We have really grown since I first started working here as a rope tow operator in the late 1950's," explained Mr. Rutherford. Rutherford. "Now we have over 50 people employed in instruction instruction and patrolling alone," he added. With the change in weather weather conditions this past month, Dick says that the ski season is now at its peak and urges all interested downhill lovers to experience experience one of the numerous runs. Between 1,400 and 2,000 people take to the slopes at Kirby each day. The above shot was taken early last Saturday morning, just before the crowds piled in. Driving the Bombardier snow groomer for the Oshawa Ski Club is a challenging occupation for Bowmanville resident Jill Coombes. The first girl to ever be employed in the position, Jill is always in complete control of the rig. Half the fun of Jill Coombes' job is watching the surprised look of skiers as they see her wheel her snow-cat over the ski slopes of Kirby with a mere push of a button. Although the young Bombardier Bombardier driver wouldn't dream of taking advantage Skiing the quality of the Oshawa Ski Itntherlbrd. The tw< down a lew of the si slopes out at Kirby is a favorite past ime of President Club, Kill Corbet, (loft) and Property Manager Dick men are pictured here alter a relaxing morning ski opes. of her control of the big beast, she admits it's amusing amusing to watch the skiers' reaction when they see her coming. Jill, one of three snow groomer operators at Kirby Ski Hill, is the first female to ever control the rig in thé history of the Oshawa Ski Club. "I'm proud to be the first girl to take on this job," explained Miss Coombes. "It's sort of neat to watch the skiers take a double look when they realize that there's actually a girl driving driving this enormous piece of machinery," she added. Jill's responsibility at the hill is to keep the snow firm to make it easier for skiers to glide across it. This is done by driving the heavy groomer up and down each of the 20 runs several times a day. "Controlling the Bombardier Bombardier is second nature to me now," said the Bowmanville resident. "But when I first started work here I was petrified petrified of the heights I had to climb." Jill went on to explain her fear of driving the groomer faded when she realized that it was impossible to lose control of the $150,000 rig. "It just drives like a nor mal car," said the confident snow groomer. "The only difference is the size of it and the loud noise it makes." Of course, for Jill who wears headphones most of the day, the grinding noise of the machine is quite bearable. Returning to Seneca College College next year after a short leave of absence, Jill admits admits that she'll miss her present job. "I get all the respect respect in the world when I'm out on the slopes, and I love it," she said, adding that, "Of course, skiers have to respect me, I'm bigger than they arc!" Hie Donald, instructor at the Oshawa Ski Club, began skiing when he was seven years old. Now lie's teaching his two young daughters Andrea (left) and Uichelle who both started at the young age of two. Now at the pc out in full force, in Kirby. ak of skiing season, taking advantage of members of the the 20 runs avail; Oshawa Ski Club are ible at the hill located