Canadian Ski Hall of Fame member Bill Irwin was the consummate skier. After winning his first race at age 10, he amassed over 200 alpine and nordic trophies before retiring from competition at 63. Using one pair of pre-owned $10 skis, Bill competed in slalom, giant slalom, downhill, cross-country, nordic combined and ski jumping at the St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games in 1948. He also built an incredible cradle of ski champions in Northwestern Ontario called the Loch Lomond Ski Area.
Loch Lomond Ski Area, Ontario
A Cradle of Champions
Ski Hill:
Loch Lomond Ski Area
Map:
Location
Vertical:
229 m (751 ft)
Snowfall:
162 cm (64.1 in)
Nature + Nurture = Success
Bill spent much of World War II, Bill teaching Scottish commandos how to ski up and down the rugged slopes near Jasper, Alberta. In 1945, he married his sweetheart, Mary Whieldon. Together, they had four children: Dorothy, Doug, Dave and Dan. All three lads followed Bill’s tracks and became Canadian national ski team members. The most famous was Dave Irwin. One of the original four Crazy Canucks, many attribute their legendary name to Dave’s kamikaze-like passion and drive. In all, seven members of the Irwin family, including Bill’s brother, Bert, would be selected to represent Canada on the world stage.
The 1947 Canadian Ski Championships in Mt. Ste. Anne, Quebec. From left to right: Pierre Jalbert, Bert Irwin, Bill Irwin, Rhoda Wurtele, Emile Allais, Rhona Wurtele. Photo supplied by the CSHFM.
Dan Irwin, dressed for the part, at the 1966 ski world championships in Portillo, Chile. Photo supplied by the Thunder Bay Museum.
Like Father, Like Son
In 1949, the Irwins moved to Fort William, Ontario, where Bill taught skiing and sold insurance. The twin cities of Port Arthur and Fort William, now Thunder Bay, are surrounded by massive, mesa-like mountains called Nor’Westers. One in particular, just nine kilometers south of town, caught his knowing eye. Like his father, Bert ‘Pops’ Irwin, who managed the Amber Ski Club in Princeton, B.C., Bill dreamt of running a ski area. Unable to secure any government funding, he and Mary pressed on. They officially opened their Loch Lomond Ski Area and Club on March 17, 1956. Borrowing yet another page from Pops, who built Canada’s very first handle tow, Bill and Mary and their crew hand-built the T-bars themselves. In the Irwin family’s basement.
The Cradle of Champions
Loch Lomond immediately began drawing skiers and racers from as far away as Manitoba, Minnesota and Toronto. As skiing’s popularity soared in the 1960s and 70s, two other alpine ski areas sprang up here: Candy Mountain and Little Norway. And that’s not counting the nordic ski clubs that Bill’s legendary skiing prowess had also inspired. But where Loch Lomond left its most indelible mark was in fostering world-class skiers and coaches. In addition to the Irwins, Bill’s hill helped develop national ski team coach Lyn MacIntosh, as well as ski racers Bev Chambers, Bill French, George and Sally Hunt, Peter Spence and Judy Young. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with desire, direction, determination and 750 feet of skiable vertical terrain covered in snow!
Unveiling the first ski lift at Mount Baldy, Ontario. Photo supplied by the Thunder Bay Museum.
The Canadian men’s speed team from the early 1980s. From left: Heinz Kappeler (coach), Joey Lavigne (coach), John Ritchie (coach), Dave Murray, Dave Irwin, Steve Podborski, Ken Read. Photo supplied by the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
A Pantheon of Champions and Builders
If a ski hill can be said to punch above its weight, then Loch Lomond is probably the undisputed heavyweight champion of Canada. In addition to producing some of our most famous and celebrated ski racers, tiny Loch Lomond has given us Lyn McIntosh and Bill Keenan. Lyn, who grew up skiing and racing here, was the head coach of the national women’s Can-Am team before being named assistant director of the Canadian ski team. His program led to the rise of the legendary Crazy Canucks. Together with coach John Ritchie, who grew up in Port Arthur, Lyn oversaw Canada’s rise as a ski racing superpower. Under their tutelage, skiers such Betsy Clifford, Kathy Kreiner, Kerrin-Lee Gartner, Dave Murray, Dave Irwin, Steve Podborski, Ken Read and Todd Brooker became household names and national icons.
Can You Spell Freestyle?
Meanwhile, another young lad who grew up skiing at Loch Lomond was about to turn winter on its head by making freestyle skiing the hottest show on snow and, eventually, an official Olympic sport. Back then, freestyle skiing was a daring new sport that combined aerials, ballet and moguls. A gifted athlete, Bill Keenan excelled at both water and alpine skiing. While attending the University of Calgary, Bill perfected his gymnastics and skiing skills before landing a spot on Canada’s freestyle team in 1980. Bill would go on to specialize in moguls and win 9 World Cup events. In 1983, he won the overall World Cup moguls championship. After retiring from competition, Bill skied in the 1985 James Bond movie, A View To Kill. He also served as colour commentator during the 1988 Winter Olympic Games when freestyle skiing made its debut as a demonstration sport.
Bill Keenan in action from a 1980s ski poster. Photo supplied by the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
“I would define a community ski area as a ski area serving the community’s diverse interests. Our guests were from two to 92 years old who were skiers, racers, snowboarders, freestylers, tubers and/or snowshoers.”
— Ward Bond, Former Owner of the Loch Lomond Ski Area and Candy Mountain
Ward Bond, shown here, had agreed to work for Bill with all profits going to pay off the principle. Once the mortgage was paid, Bill received a consulting fee until age 65. Photo supplied by Ward Bond.
The Name Is Bond, Ward Bond
In 1975, Bill Irwin was honoured with the Ontario Tourism Award for his “dedication to the tourist industry of Ontario through the development and promotion of skiing.” A short while later, Bill and Mary began looking for someone to buy Loch Lomond. Enter Manitoba-born Ward Bond. Ward had studied commerce and actuarial mathematics at the University of Manitoba before going to work for the Federal Government. In 1978, he was sent to Thunder Bay to assess Loch Lomond. With their shared interest and acumen in insurance, Bill said, “Why don’t you buy the ski area?” Ward explained that he had neither the money nor the skiing expertise. To which Bill replied, “Well, all these hotshot skiers want to buy Loch Lomond and they only pretend to have money.” Ward’s honesty and the two drew up profit-participating mortgage. Ward was just 25.
Northwestern Ontario Skiing Soars… And Then Falters
In 1979, Ward Bond bought Loch Lomond, its chalet, three double chairs, 11 trails and modest snowmaking and grooming equipment. The ski area shared its 4,500 members with Candy Mountain, which he had also purchased. It also drew overnight skiers from Winnipeg, Minneapolis and Chicago, plus ski racers from Toronto. During his tenure, Ward Bond upgraded and improved Loch Lomond from top to bottom. He replaced a double chair with a quad, expanded the night skiing operation, acquired new and improved grooming equipment, opened a tubing park, cut snowshoeing trails and more. Working with local schools, including Lakehead University, he added skiing and racing at Loch Lomond to their curricula. Many local businesses opened Wednesday morning and skied in the afternoon. Sadly all good things must pass. Eventually, Candy Mountain, Mount McKay and Little Norway all faltered and closed.
Unveiling of a new $150,000 chairlift at Loch Lomond in 1981. Photo supplied by the Thunder Bay Museum.
“We strive to continuously improve our offerings, expand our reach, and foster a community of passionate winter sports enthusiasts.”
– Jason Gerry, President & General Manager, Loch Lomond
Photo by Loch Lomond Ski Area.
New Owners. A New Vision.
Ward Bond decided to sell Loch Lomond and expand his other skiing-related businesses in 2014. That summer, Jason Gerry and Grant Brodeur bought the hill. Avid lifelong skiers, the duo had strong ties to the ski area and Thunder Bay. Jason’s grandfather and great-uncle had helped Bill and Mary build their T-bars! Jason, who is president and general manager, has since seen his hill expand to include three more ski trails as well as an expanded snow shoe and mountain biking trail network. His goal is to make Loch Lomond a year-round destination. His plan seems to be working.
Loch Lomond Sprouts New Roots
In 2022, Loch Lomond’s ace groomer, Josh Szura had a brilliant idea. He knew that the valley surrounding the ski area enjoyed a unique micro-climate. In summer, the temperature here was always between 5 and 7° Celsius warmer than in town. It also received plenty of sunshine, which made it perfect for growing a veritable smorgasbord of fresh vegetables and herbs. With Jason’s blessing, Josh started Sun Bowl Farm. Today, Loch Lomond, the cradle of champions, is also producing the breakfasts, lunches and dinners of champions. Bill and Mary Irwin would be positively delighted. Bill passed away in Vernon, B.C. on February 5, 2013.
Josh Szura his award winning produce. Photo by Loch Lomond Ski Area.
Loch Lomond, Mount McKay, Fort William: Historical
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Loch Lomond Today
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