Numerous Face Book Comments

Posted from 2008 - present

Writer’s names and any references to other ski areas have been omitted. Ironically, most could not correctly spell one of the areas referenced.

 

I think a good idea would be to use the members names on here as a petition...You have my permission to use my name for that.
If it wasn't for this ski hill, I would have never learned how to ski...We had many school trips here. And once we fell in love with the place we went here on our own time. It was a big adventure to drive that far and make a full day of it skiing...I don't ski anymore because of a knee injury, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't love to take my future children there, to see the "fun" and "love" of the sport in there eyes...Hopefully its not lost for a generation.

The farthest from the truth would be representations by RMNP alluding to Safety considerations being the reason for their kyboshing future operation of the Ski Hill. This statement would be erroneous and contradictory and could only be for the purpose of enabling their self imposed mandate to spend huge amounts of taxpayer’s money destroying a Historical Ski Hill.

The Agassiz Ski Area, since closure in year 2000 has been and continues to be a Public liability allowed to remain vacant and unsupervised, as RMNP officials have permitted to-date. Prudent operation of the Hill is in the better interest of all the taxpaying stakeholders of this Park as well as its’ surrounding communities.

Manitoba should not lose Alpine Skiers to BC or any other Province and it is unfair for other Provinces to encourage the loss of the Agassiz Ski Hill Area in RMNP Manitoba.

What a shame. Growing up in Brandon, I organized a few high school ski trips there in the early 80's, not to mention just driving up on our own...always loved skiing there!

You know one of the things I miss the most about Agassiz??? Spring skiing, no jacket, no toque, just good weather, good friends and good times!! I am looking at the hill right now as I am on the computer, sun is shining on the face....calling us!!!

I commend you on your efforts to reopen the Agassiz Mountain Resort. We recently moved to McCreary and we cannot understand the rational of many people in the community. They have just given up which amazes us. It would be a great boon for the community. The hotels would be full again. ...The downtown businesses could expand and new stores opened. The job opportunities are endless. As it sits now there is no reason for young people to stay or other residents to move into our area unless they are a school teacher or retired and looking for a cheap place to live. Good luck and all the best in your efforts. We are behind you 100%.

The only reason it is still closed is it is competition for (resort), and that more people would go there because it is closer to a lot of people! But that is MY opinion.

Missing the days when I stood on top of the face, socializing with the McCreary girls (you know who you are!), trying to carry enough speed to catch the biggest air off the jumps on the flats and did anyone truly master Suicide?!

Hey did you guys think about gathering names of volunteers that would be interested in cleaning up the hill and resort once things can move forward, that would surely save the group plenty of money. I know I would be there, how about the rest of you?

It's time to reopen Mt. Agassiz. It is a Manitoba landmark that has instilled the passion of sports excellence and has been the catalyst for creating many long term friendships, business contacts and other opportunities. Let's all contribute to the reopen.

This has to get re-opened. More people have to contact their MP's to get this corrected. The life of our communities in this area is dependent on it. Our farming community is only getting older, and no young people are getting into farming. The few farms that are left just get bigger, leaving fewer people in the area. Our government should not be favoring 1 business over the other. (Resort) should be able to survive on its own. Petitions should be started in all the surrounding communities, and presented to our MP's. We either do something about it now, or say goodbye to our communities later.

It's a shame kids these days will never get to see the sunrise on the mountain as you ride up the chairlift or experience the sprained thumbs, frostbitten toes, bruises, bumps, contusions and concussions from the boiler plate icy conditions, good times! Made a man out of me.

I miss everything about the hill. Even riding 4 hours in Curtis Rose's Jimmy or Blazer. In the back on the floor. Keep up the good work guys. Hope things work out.

I totally miss going to this place. Serious kudos to those trying to bring this little gem back into action!

OH my god!! I miss Agassiz so much. Being strangled on that crazy toe rope... my jacket getting caught on the t-bar and getting dragged up the last steep bit. And Suicide hill!! With all those rocks and twigs jutting out… or even the trail with the knocked down tree forever was blocking the path! Good Times!

Say what you like about the "flats" and the icy tops on the T-bar side but Agassiz ROCKED. I almost feel bad that there aren't more capital letters to use in the word rocked to describe it. I live 2 1/2 hours from Tremblant but I would mecca to Agassiz to crash gates, spontaneous diddle, and swill beer on the deck any day!!

Man, So many good memories of that place! Every time I go back to McCreary I wish it was still running. It's really sad that people that owned and ran it the last few years just ran it into the ground and never invested in it! I've been to (resort) couple times a year now and only imagine what are hill could have been like if ran and promoted properly.

Just checked out all the pics...I had forgotten that this place actually had a pretty decent vert to it for being smack dab in the middle of the prairies. Must be at least 3x the length if not more of anything that (resort) has.

With the fall lines this place had not only would it blow doors on (resort) in the winter you could do some pretty decent downhill biking in the summer?

I started going to Mt. Agassiz when I was about 4 years old I thought it was the most wonderful place in the world, when I was a kid. Maybe the best part of going to visit my grandparents. It was the first place I ever skied and the first real ski hill I snowboarded on. The memories are countless, and if it was to reopen I would love to ride there again.

Childhood memories of learning to ski. Too bad the surrounding communities can't take advantage of the great recreational area.

I sent out my e-mails, hopefully something will come of this. I worked there in the kitchen in 94-96. I would love to bring some of my Sask friends as it is the 4 hour drive is not bad for a weekend and the skiing is way better than (resort).

Hey Friends of Mt.Agassiz, we are over 500 strong now and growing by the minute. We will be over 1000 by the end of Feb. By then we will have put democracy in this country to a test. We will see if WE THE PEOPLE still have a voice, we will see if Parks Canada really supports skiing and boarding in all their National Parks as they say they do. Keep posting. Keep inviting your friends, and keep emailing. There is no law saying we can't email our MPs and Ministers every day, or twice a day. We can do this.

I remember heading out in the middle of snowstorms early in the wee hours of the morning. This was definitely "THE PLACE" to ski / ride in the prairies. I'd already have purchased a season pass if it were still open today. (Resort) is too far and doesn't have the terrain / vertical that Agassiz can offer.

Thanks...Great to read you have great memories at Agassiz but I didn't think we got 'snowstorms' in sunny Manitoba!

In that Manitoba is a big province and could again have a sizable ski/board market, (resort) isn't too far for the folks from that region to enjoy it's slopes.

I grew up hitching rides with the hill staff on weekend mornings to ski, and used to teach skiing at Agassiz. I remember when there was no chairlift. I can't believe that such a wonderful wonder is (temporarily) shut down!!

By the way. It is a Step, Prehistoric shoreline, or if you must, -a mountain as seen from the proper side, -I believe?

Glad you had many great memories there. Hopefully those experiences will continue.

Well before we rebranded Agassiz with "mountains', we made sure that was correct in all definitions of the word - a high hill. Not a valley wall.

All mountains contain steps, and were the shorelines long ago, as they rem...ain today.

Somewhat characteristic to naming the park Riding Mountain.

Interesting to note, only one other ski area in Manitoba is located on a high hill - mountain (not a valley wall). Name it to get a much sought after 17 x 5 dye-cut car window Agassiz decal?

Sent my invites...sent my e-mails...it would be great to see Agassiz reopened!

Hey friends here are some food for thought. We all know that the (resort) group has received millions of dollars of taxpayer’s money. Wouldn't it be ironic and a shame if some of those dollars were used to buy the Agassiz lease and hold our mountain and our communities here on the east side hostage. Maybe we should try and find out.

Well, I have met your challenge and went beyond... I have more since then that have joined last night. I have also asked them to be sure and send the emails... I would love nothing more then to have that hill open... I was so excited when I moved there to be close to the hill and it figures it go shut down that year. Lets all work together to save the hill... I have sent out messages and invites to all my friends and I hope everyone else does the same....

Thank you so much for starting this group. I have been hoping for years that there is something that we can do to bring it back. I miss Agassiz Ski Resort dearly. Most definitely some of the best times of my childhood and teen years were spent on that mountain. What can I do to help?

Used to be an instructor there from 1995-1996. Considering what we had there, it's a huge shame that it's all fallen apart like this. Who didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling around Christmas when there was hoarfrost on the trees and you were going up the red and green T-bars?

I'd like to see Kelly’s letter and the response. (Like to see twist other resort is putting on this).

I spent many many winters as a kid boarding the Agassiz slopes and would love to see it opened again. Many good memories were had there.

We the People own Riding Mtn. Nat. Park. We the People, if enough of us make our voices heard, if enough of us make our wishes known, we the People, the tax payers of this Great Nation can have our ski resort back. We own that land not the government, we the People are the government. We have the power, not our MP's, they are our servants who we pay quite handsomely to represent us, so lets let them know what we want here. We want our Agassiz back.

Hey friends someone once said: ALL IT TAKES FOR STUPIDITY TO TRIUMPH IS FOR GOOD PEOPLE TO SIT AND DO NOTHING. Come on all you good people in this group get the emails flowing, its STUPID what has happened to Mt. Agassiz.

Hey gang lets keep those emails sliding down the lines to your MP's. These are the people that need to know how many passionate Mount Agassiz lovers there are. Don't forget Baird the minister of environment and GARY “we need more winter tourism” DOER. It only takes a few seconds and will make all the difference.

I just sent another email to the MPs and a group one to Gary Doer and Hon John Baird... I told them they should be expecting more emails coming their way from THE PEOPLE.

Greater changes have been made and much greater odds have been overcome in history than this situation! I believe it will happen if we all keep putting the pressure on.

The first time I ever skied was at that hill when I was like 5. My dad and sister both worked at that hill at some point or another. It is a shame for the park, the local economy and the avid skiers of McCreary & area that get to just look up at the hill every time the snow falls. Even though I no longer live there, every time I am in McCreary I always look up at that hill and wonder to myself if it will ever reopen. It makes no sense that especially in MB where there are very few places where ski hills can actually be decent, a perfectly good hill sits un-used.

I haven't skied since Agassiz closed, how sad is that... I see those snow covered slopes every time I look out my window. This area really needs that hill back!!

Son of a b… I learned to ski there

I, too, have saved my season passes. Awesome memories on that mountain!

Another thing:

Gary Doer said "Manitoba's open for business & really needs winter tourism."

So, why isn't Agassiz open for business?

Good to see people haven't forgotten about the old hill. Sure would help out in town also, I still have my locker key and my old season passes saved. So many good times there back in the day! The bar and lounge have certainly gone down hill (no pun intended).

Dagnamit, we Brits would definitely want to ski there over ANYWHERE else. Will spread the word!

This is a great site guys! Well done. Hopefully we can get enough support and get the hill back up and running.

It`s so great to see all you people come aboard to bring Mt.Agassiz back from the brink. Keep sending those emails to our M.Ps. We can do this.

I’ll do what I can. I really do want to see the hill live though. Manitoba needs these opportunities.

It should be obvious that if Parks Canada knew what they were doing, they wouldn’t be trying to dissolve Mt. Agassiz. They should give us what we are saying we want. When they finally looked into the bogus claim that another ski hill held the lease (in 2007, after resort sat since 2000) they should have looked into getting it operated instead of rendering it closed forever! Something was being swept under the table for them to jump to judgment so quickly after letting it sit idle for 7 years. I understand several businesses were interested until the claim another hill held the lease came up. Should we be kept from such a great ski hill because the Parks people didn’t know what was going on for 7 years? Someone should look into this.

Hello all. The following is the text of a letter sent to John Baird, Minister of the Environment and Parks Canada, October 22, 2007

Dear Minister Baird,

I am writing to you today to share with you an issue of great importance to constituents in the provincial riding Ste. Rose, which I represent in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly. Residents of Ste. Rose feel that the importance of a viable Agassiz Ski Hill to their area is immense for the local economy in what is one of the lowest per-capita income ridings in all of Manitoba.

In the past, and under the previous Liberal government, these residents felt that both government officials and Parks Canada did not treat their issue with the importance that this institution, and its importance to the local economy, deserved.

There have been discussions about re-establishing the Agassiz Ski Hill as a local economic development project. Ebb and Flow First Nation has also expressed an interest in being involved. The economic spin-offs for the redevelopment of the hill would be welcomed in an area that desperately needs it.

There is currently a strong, dedicated group of people that are willing to do the work needed to see this succeed, but they do need the support of Government. I have enclosed a letter written in 2005 that outlines the issue and the commitment of the local group involved.

I would like to request that your office review this information and please comment oh how the different levels of government, and local officials might work together on this project to see the restoration of a national tourist attraction and economic driver for Western Manitoba.

Thank you for your time and assistance on this matter.

Sincerely,

Stu Briese, MLA
Ste. Rose Constituency

cc'd to Vic Toews,MP, Joy Smith, MP and Chuck Morden

Agassiz Mountain Development Group

 FAQ

 Question/comment:

 I understand this is probably a 180 degree turn, but your possible success for a year-round resort would be enhanced with the inclusion of a world class golf course(s) at/near Agassiz. I have run several bus golf bus trips and would suggest you look at the Giants Ridge, MN model. They have dorms, lodges, and condos at their ski hill, with 2 world class golf courses. Manitoba has nothing like it to offer and you have probably the greatest area in the province to create a facility that could be a world-class destination.

Thank you for your efforts, I grew up in western Manitoba and spent many, many days learning to ski at Agassiz. It's a shame that it has been abandoned for so long.

 Reply:

There has recently been developed, near the ski area road entrance to RMNP, a beautiful golf course (just outside the gate where the "box cars" use to be). Not being a golfer, word tells me it's a good course with a nice, comfortable clubhouse. Elkhorn Ranch has the Clear Lake Golf Course, and of course, great lodging. It's within a 20 to 25 minute drive through the Park, much of which feels like you are in the mountains.

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I hope that you get this hill opened again. When the hill closed, I stopped snowboarding in Manitoba. All the other hills are too small, as I'm a freerider (not freestyle) and Asessippi is too far to drive from Winnipeg to go for a day. Good luck! I'll be there on your opening day.

Reply:

We are doing our best to change Parks Canada’s position and offering both rationale, and our experienced resources..

Winnipeg and Brandon are within the day-trip demographics.
Agassiz is by far the best snowboarding terrain in the prairies and we hope to shred it again soon.

 Question:

We conducted a site visit (November 2008). I was hoping to get out there before there was too much snow. I noticed there were a number of different buildings/sheds (other than the Day Lodge and Lounge) that remain on site. Would you have a plan showing the various structures? Parks Canada had cut the grass in the area early this year but it was fairly long, and the snow was 4 to 6" deep already. The lifts were all standing and looked fairly good. The buildings require some maintenance, partially due to vandals.

I appreciate any assistance that you are able to provide.

 

Reply:

Expect, if that was your first visit to the area, it was likely an eye-opener!

 In answer to your questions in brief...

• Note that the main Lodge was constructed, over time, to what are the 3 distinct sections/ with two additions. This is why you may have noted 3 separate furnaces. Two of the most recent additions were rebuild after separate fires destroyed them during their initial construction. Ironically, the oldest section has stood the test of time to the better degree; partly due to the pitch of the roof and its post & beam construction.

                              

 

• The slopes themselves have opportunity for further sinkholes than present. The mid-slopes are located over quite large underground springs. The slope dams which divert run-off water to slope edges instead of vertical run-off, have been non-existent since the resort's closure. Agassiz was first cut in the days before the advent of snowmaking; thus the slopes were destumped and cleared of any sizable rocks/boulders.  There would not be drainage issues with proper management.

 

• The lifts and their moorings remain in pretty well the same condition as when the resort closed. The chairlift was built specifically for Agassiz in '78 and remains the second newest chairlift built in Manitoba. All the equipment on-site would still be functional today if operations had continued. I recall the chairlift was test-run just prior to Hydro being cut to the area, of recent.

 

• We had not accessed the sewage tank, as that would be beyond our access. I do know it was built beyond PC specs and is expected to be in good condition today. Somewhere in this paperwork I recall seeing the final pump-out being done as the resort was closing for its final season.

 

 

Question/comment:

Recently retired with skiing on my mind and wish to see Agassiz re-opened. I can offer sweat equity, ideas and investment. Call me.

 Thanks for the follow up, Kelly. My wife and daughters have great memories
about Agassiz where both daughters learned to ski and snowboard.
 
I am available when you need people to get to work on this project.

Note on my ski-racing career. There are many Jones’ around so you are forgiven. My racing experience was limited to racing from the top of Raven’s Flight to the bar for a cold beer.

 Reply:

We hope to meet again prior to Christmas (dated) in order to review a basic environmental assessment currently being undertaken on the property. Actions remain ongoing to achieve redevelopment.
 
Ironic that you mentioned Raven's Flight. In all the downhill mountain biking we did there this summer, it was our favourite. At speed, it averaged 14 minutes to complete; a pretty good descent for the prairies!

And in your mentioning the lounge, on my first visit back to the area 3 years ago, the table that Hersh & I shared on the final day of operation in 2000, was STILL as we left it!
There were many great experiences there… Thanks for the comment & offer.

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I want to show support for the redevelopment of Agassiz ski hill. I grew up in Ste. Rose and currently reside in the Ste. Rose municipality with my wife and two young children. I believe those parties responsible for the closure of this prime ski hill need to be shamed for what they are robbing of our communities as well as the citizens of Manitoba. The Parkland area could use a facility like this to encourage healthy outdoor activities in the winter. This is definitely an issue of public health. It’s absolutely illogical that Parks Canada is not in favor of facilitating the redevelopment of Agassiz. The Parkland residents deserve an explanation from Parks Canada.

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I don't know who I'm reaching with this e-mail but I just want to say
what an awesome website, as it makes me want to drive up there right now
and go skiing!!

 After reading Kelly's letter of last week (dated) in the Neepawa Banner, I am wondering is this it now or is there still hope? Have you ever thought of having a huge multi-community rally/protest with media coverage etc. or is it too late for that?

We drive up to the hill every now and then; I think it is what put McCreary and surrounding area on the map. It was a way to provide recreation, and jobs. It also made this area of the province attractive to doctors etc. who wanted to practice out of the city. It is no wonder small towns in this area have such a hard time to recruit physicians and other professional staff, there is nothing for them to do in their spare time. If this is truly it for the hill, Parks Canada won't be getting any more yearly pass purchases from me. (I’m sure they'll care). Keep up the dedicated work.

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Question/comment:

Kelly, I read your article (dated) in the Neepawa Banner. I was a season ticket holder at the hill for many years, have never been to Assessippi and don't intend to. I live 2 miles west on the Norgate Road, 1 mile east of the park gate. Give me a call, let me know how I can help get the show on the road.

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Question/Comment:

1. Is this new group serious about this? Are they prepared to go all the way?
2. Is there sufficient capital in place to make this happen? If not, will it be possible to raise the funds required to do this?
3. Are Parks Canada’s rules flexible enough to allow the group to make upgrades and run the resort in a sustainable manner? Ie. repair, remodel, expand buildings; replace T-Bars with chairs (triple, quad?), cut new runs, build overnight accommodations, etc.
4. How much of the old equipment is still there? (groomers, snowmakers, rentals) What is the condition of the equipment and buildings left at the site?

The site has the potential to be a great ski area.

 

I will leave you some points to ponder:

Many may suggest million dollar chairlifts, fancy on-site hotel, etc. Is it possible to be viable and sustainable in a market such as Manitoba where lift passes are the norm at $30 to 40 per day? The cost of purchasing, operating, servicing, etc. is very much relative to that of the same for a major mountain resort (which may have $70 lift pass per and 6,000 to 7,000 customers on a regular weekend day). In the end, after equipment purchase cost, constant maintenance, power, wages, even the overall facility costs, etc. are factored into that $40. lift pass, which leaves little 'gravy' in the bottom line. Yes, lift passes show as the greatest revenue at a ski resort, but in what the pass offers, it’s also the greatest of the expenses.

It is well known in the industry that a local resort can profit the same (percentage wise) as a mammoth mountain resort that has incredible expenses and costly expansions to remain in it’s market.

Another 'myth' I will offer some insight to: contrary to belief, the chairlift at Agassiz is NOT antiquated. In fact, besides the 3-tower chair at Springhill Winter Park, it is the newest chair in Manitoba! How can that be? Other chairs in Manitoba have come from years of use in other areas, when a resort abandoned operations or up-graded their lifts, and let their old ones be purchased for relocation. Lifts at Manitoba's newest resort came from a defunct ski operation in Quebec and another from Vermont. Don't get me wrong, these lifts are retrofitted to today's safety and operating standards, but they are not of the age of Agassiz's 'antiquated' chair’. It was built specifically for the site in 1978 for the Canada Winter Games. The chair, and the T-Bars, for that matter, if properly maintained and up-graded, would be operating today.

Last point to ponder, would anyone imagine or expect, in this era of ecological concern, that we require any more terrain than Agassiz already offers? The Agassiz leasehold is of 350 acres; pretty well ten times the average size (35 to 45 acres) of any ski operation on the prairies.

 Simply, step one is to get Agassiz and the terrain back to being viable and as popular as it was, with creative diversity in recreational and educational offerings. Step two: progress with calculated improvements within the market and the boundaries we have to work with.

In closing, I shall offer a quick answer to question #1 you asked - Is this new group serious and prepared to go all the way? YES. Our group is very serious and driven with the passion from past experiences at Agassiz and the surrounding area of McCreary. Many wish to have their children experience the beauty, terrain, adventure and the hospitality they experienced in their younger days in the area.

As to AMDG "prepared to go all the way" – our goal of revitalizing Agassiz and its attributes has not altered… we’re still here and quite optimistic!

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Question/Comment:

I don't agree Agassiz would take half of Asessippi's business with the loss of its Winnipeg market...it's simply not there to take!

 What Agassiz would do is greatly complement the entire market and would offer a 'closer' alternative. Those would frequent Agassiz in the Winnipeg and Brandon market are simply not venturing the distance to Asessippi. The loss of single day excursions and exodus of schools doing ski excursions into the States is overwhelming.

 Getting Agassiz back up without all the 'bells & whistles', some may expect, is very reliant on educating realistic goals / requirements to simply getting the place open again.

All the unnecessary capital spend at any prairie resort, located far from a major centre, should open people's eyes that it is not necessary if you simply want to offer the best possible of…

 

 GOOD TERRAIN

 Good Lodge - Good Food

GOOD HOSPITALITY - GOOD SERVICE

DIVERSE ACTIVITIES

 

Baby Steps...

the mission to offer the best in this prairie market. Understand it costs the same to operate an area here as it does, in say, Banff. There are fixed costs, no matter where. At this market's price of $30 to $40 for a lift pass, it has to be a major consideration in determining the degree in capital investment. 

Fortunately, as an operating resort, Agassiz already has the facilities that would make it a sizable financial asset vs. the liability to the taxpayer, and Parks Canada, that it presently is.

The goodwill from the public couldn’t be measured.

So Much More Than Just a Ski Area...