Today, skiing downhill in Toronto is limited to Earl Bales and Centennial park. Much like tobogganing, skiing and snowboarding has been banned from many downhill locations that people used to enjoy. Cross country skiing can still be done, and is, in many parks, valleys and trails across the city. On my most recent visit to the Toronto Archives, I found these vintage skiing photographs of people enjoying our city on skis and thought I would share them with our readers.
Fred Jackson, with two unidentified men, on skis – 194-?
It is interesting to note the fashions that people wore while skiing. As such a specific attire today, noting the differences can be fun and interesting. There are a lot of people wearing collared shirts, buttoned up with a tie. Interesting ski attire indeed.
The ski equipment is also worth examining. Why were the ski poles and baskets so big?
From these photos, I also learned that the Toronto Ski Club was formed in 1924 and by 1940 was the largest local ski club in the world, with over 7,000 members.
Let us know on our social channels about any other interesting things you notice.
High Park – Star Carnival – ski race – February 13, 1926High Park – Star Carnival – ski race copy – February 13, 1926Humber Golf, skiing, spill, close. – January 10, 1926Lou and Nat Turofsky, skiing – 193-?Lou Turofsky skiing – 193-?Lou Turofsky skiing near cabin in woods – 193-?
Rosedale Golf [Course], general view, skiers foreground – January 7, 1931Rosedale Golf [Course], group of girl skiers – January 7, 1931Rosedale Golf [Course], skiers adjusting straps January 7, 1931Rosedale Golf [Course], three skiers January 7, 1931
Ski jump, High Park – February 14, 1914Ski-ing, four girls on running board of car. – January 17, 1926Ski-ing, four girls putting on skis. – January 17, 1926Ski-ing, girls fencing on skis. – January 17, 1926Ski-ing, two girls holding one on skis on shoulders. – January 17, 1926Skiers in High Park. – [1911?]Skiing, Bond Lake February 28, 1927Three members of the Toronto ski club in Rosedale Ravine – from left, Norman Smallpiece, R. B. Chillas, & George Vartie(Sec.). – 1908Toronto Ski Club, Doug Thornton making turn – January 26, 1930Toronto Ski Club, Florrie Walker and Mary Sitwell – January 26, 1930Toronto Ski Club, group of girl skiers – January 26, 1930Toronto Ski Club, group watching contest – January 26, 1930Toronto Ski Club, Lorraine Lennox, Gordon Lockhart, Edith Lockhart – January 26, 1930Toronto Ski Club, skiers going uphill – January 26, 1930Woman skiing in Riverdale Park. – [ca. 1913]
![Rosedale Golf [Course], general view, skiers foreground - January 7, 1931 - vintage skiing photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rosedale-Golf-Course-general-view-skiers-foreground.jpg)
![Rosedale Golf [Course], group of girl skiers - January 7, 1931 - vintage skiing photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rosedale-Golf-Course-group-of-girl-skiers.jpg)
![Rosedale Golf [Course], skiers adjusting straps January 7, 1931 - vintage skiing photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rosedale-Golf-Course-skiers-adjusting-straps.jpg)
![Rosedale Golf [Course], three skiers January 7, 1931 - vintage skiing photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rosedale-Golf-Course-three-skiers.jpg)
![Skiers in High Park. - [1911?] - vintage skiing photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Skiers-in-High-Park.jpg)
![Woman skiing in Riverdale Park. - [ca. 1913] - vintage skiing photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Woman-skiing-in-Riverdale-Park.jpg)
![Toronto Winter Photographs Iceboats, Toronto Bay. - [between 1906 and 1910] - photograph of three iceboats racing a car (not shown) on frozen Toronto Bay.](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Iceboats-Toronto-Bay-1906-1910-326x245.jpg)