Skiing really is Canada’s quintessential family winter sport. Visit almost any ski hill during the ski season, and you’ll see children of all ages, from toddlers to teens, sharing the lifts and the slopes and with their parents and grandparents. Sometimes, it’s just for a run or two. Sometimes, it’s for the whole day. But they’re all out there. Playing in the snow. Enjoying quality time. Together. And then there’s the Daburger family. Since 1973, they’ve skied, owned and operated Harper Mountain. Together.
Harper Mountain, British Columbia
A Classic Family Ski Hill, Since 1973
Ski Hill:
Harper Mountain
Location:
Kamloops, British Columbia
Vertical:
427 m (1,400 ft.)
Snowfall:
2 m (79 in.)
Map:
Find us here
Building A Better Mousetrap, er, Ski Hill
In 1953, Max Daburger left his native Bavaria, Germany, to find work and a better life in Canada. A skilled craftsman, he built a construction company in Kamloops, B. C. In 1956, he was joined by his bride-to-be and future bookkeeper, Elizabeth. According to his daughter‑in‑law and current Harper Mountain Manager, Lisa Daburger, “About fifteen years later, when Max picked up his two oldest boys who’d been skiing at Grandview, the idea of building a ski area popped into his head. The image of sunshine, snow and a hill full of skiers never left him.” Max began exploring the surrounding area for a suitable location. Sometimes he hiked or skied alone. Sometimes he brought his sons along. Eventually, he found his hill. Mount Harper’s north-facing slopes were sheltered from the sun and wind, so they held snow even longer. There was also a sunny base area large enough to accommodate a lodge, outbuildings and parking. All he needed was some help.
Little did Max Daburger (2nd from right) know that his beloved Harper Mountain would stay in the family for three generations and counting.
Max Daburger’s business partner and associate, Swiss-born Peter Huser.
Finding A Partner & Convincing The Population
Max approached his good friend and associate, Peter Huser. The Swiss-born gentleman loved the idea. Together with Paul Noelle, they founded Harper Mountain Lifts Limited. (Max was the majority shareholder, investor and managing partner, whereas Paul left after two years.) Times were different then. Anyone with experience, a vision and some start‑up money could apply to lease Crown land for their business venture. Provided they were willing to take the risk. After convincing the homeowners around Paul Lake that having a nearby ski hill was a great idea, they began clearing trails, erecting a lift and building a chalet. In 1973, Harper Mountain opened with a Bunny Slope, a T-bar and an authentic Bavarian ski lodge. It was an immediate success and soon began drawing skiers in blue jeans and colorful ski jackets. An avid skier, Elizabeth also worked full-time selling lift tickets when she wasn’t managing the books or the kids or the home or hiking or…
“Thanks to the people of Kamloops who gave us their business, we made a living, paid our bills, and eventually paid off the loan. If you ever go up to Harper –whatever you see was paid for with money earned in Kamloops – no foreign investment, grants, subsidies, lottery winning or inheritance.”
— Elizabeth Daburger, Bookkeeper, Ticket Vendor & Mom
A Sweet, New Addition And A Tremendous Loss
In 1977, Harper Mountain acquired a then state‑of‑the‑art Doppelmayer chairlift. The skiing community was ecstatic. Sadly, Peter Huser passed away before the hill could open for the coming ski season. Max named their new lift the Huser Triple Chair in honour of his good friend and business partner. Peter’s wife, Leone, who was also a shareholder, remained onboard and deftly managed the cafeteria for the next 25 years.
Max Daburger named Harper Mountain’s then new triple chair in honour of his friend Peter Huser.
Chef Maria ‘Mia’ Daburger (left) manned the kitchen at Harper Mountain for 30 years. While Leone Huser (right) managed the cafeteria for 25.
Longevity As A Measure Of Success
Max’s sister, Maria, who was a real character by all accounts, was the cook at Harper for 30 memorable years. Herman and Pat Schrottner, ran the Ski School and Rental Shop for 30 years. Says Lisa, “Although there were many small ski areas in the Kamloops area at the time, Harper Mountain, with its healthy mix of trails, spread over 400 acres of skiable terrain, was the one that remained in operation.” Max’s dream hill became a friendly gathering place where everyone knew everyone’s name and families from Kamloops skied and enjoyed winter together.
Two Boards, One Board, Everyone Is Welcome!
In the 1980s, when snowboarding was taking off, most skiers and ski areas were anything but welcoming to what many derisively called ‘knuckle-draggers’. And that’s putting it mildly. The early disciples of Jake Burton and Tom Sims were usually sent packing and told to never return. Unless, of course, they turned up at Harper. Max never could say no to anyone who wanted to have fun playing in the snow at Harper Mountain. He never once harped, “They’re dangerous! Half the time, they can’t see where they’re going. But they don’t have ski brakes!” Instead, he calmly defused the situation with a curt yet diplomatic, “As long as they’re having fun.” And boy, were they ever.
“There were lean years, but we were lucky because we were healthy and we could work and we had four boys who all worked at the mountain at one time or another.”
— Elisabeth Daburger
Max’s son, Norm, has been heading the second generation of the Daburger family to own and operate Harper Mountain since 2003.
A Changing Of The Guard
In 2003, Max Daburger passed away. While his son, Norm, took over the operation, all four Daburger boys had worked at the hill in various capacities. Norm is still running Harper Mountain assisted by his wife, Lisa, and two of their four boys, Max and Ryan. Harper Mountain has also experienced something of a renaissance. Says Lisa, “We are very much a family community with a lot of fun ways to experience winter. There’s tubing, a nice up‑track for ski touring, cross‑country skiing and a terrain park. With Thompson Rivers University nearby, we also welcome a lot of students.”
Casting A Wider Net
Norm and Lisa have also added snowshoeing to Harper’s growing roster of good fun. Snowshoers can ride a lift to access the trail off the summit. Because Harper Mountain is just twenty minutes from Kamloops, the new lift‑served tubing lanes have become especially popular with groups of party‑goers who come ready to roast marshmallows and hot dogs. Lisa points out that as Kamloops has grown, so too has Harper Mountain. Max’s dream hill is also winning over converts from Vancouver and, occasionally, from other parts of the world. Says Lisa, “We’re seeing a lot of new Canadians, as we’re close to town with many affordable winter recreation opportunities.”
“We love to see guests having fun! We’ve been the same local family-owned and operated ski area since 1973.”
— Lisa Daburger, Indoor Operations Manager, Harper Mountain
A Second And A Third Generation Rise To The Challenge
Last year, after fifty years of tireless service, Elizabeth Daburger handed over the books to her granddaughter‑in‑law, Trine. She was 87 years old. Says Lisa, “Two of our sons, Max and Ryan, are a big part of our operation and would like to continue.” Max’s Bavarian lodge is now a popular wedding venue. The ski area has hosted numerous biking and running events. Adds Lisa, “Our eyes are on mountain biking and camping.” Of course, running a ski area today has become more challenging than ever. Lisa cites changing weather patterns, rising operational costs and the growing threat of forest fires as “obstacles to continuing on with the legacy of efficient operations at Harper.” Undaunted, the second and third generations of the Daburger family are working together to make Harper Mountain a successful year‑round operation.
“I believe for Harper to have continued success we must maintain our commitment to being a strong community resort, offering affordability, and high‑quality family fun.”
— Norm Daburger, Owner, General Manager, Harper Mountain
Ski Harper Mountain: Kamloops' Hidden Gem
Video credit: Tourism Kamloops/Brody Jones Cinema
Writer: Dave Fonda
Web designer & integrator: Dominique Paquette
Photographs and videos courtesy of Harper Mountain and used with their permission.
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