A popular skiing venue will be holding a celebration event next month - marking 50 years since it first opened its slope to budding skiiers.
When Ski Rossendale opened in September 1973, it boasted the longest artificial ski slope and largest facility of its kind in the UK, at 500m.
Now, plans are in place for a 50th anniversary celebration event at The Hill, the new name for the centre off Haslingden Old Road, Rawtenstall, reports LancsLive.
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When it first opened, the slopes saw the official opening by Sir Jack Longland, vice-chairman of the North West Sports Council and conqueror of Everest, and three members of the British Olympic Ladies’ Ski Team.
In November 1973, then Prime Minister Edward Heath visited the slope. Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards has visited twice – the first time to jump over cars – and world downhill skiing champ Franz Klammer also visited.
Manager Dave Fuller was one of the first to learn how to ski when, aged 13, on November 5 1973, he took instructions from the original chief ski instructor Jean Marchal.
As far back as December 1963, keen skier Michael Parsons from Waterfoot held a meeting to form Rossendale Ski Club as the snowy winters had meant the hills around the Valley had become popular for skiers in the winter months.
At the time it was mooted that Rossendale could become ‘a winter sports centre’ and 10 years’ later, and three years in the planning and construction, the £58,000 slope opened and plans began to revive the once-flourishing ski club.
Dave said: “The ski slope is a legacy and it is one we need to ensure is here for future generations to use and to look after. We are proud to have indirectly built on that vision that was first had back in 1963 and created and all year round ‘winter sports centre’.
“The ski slope is all about people and emotion. We are a not-for-profit business and we are all about people enjoying sport and having a positive experience whether as part of a group or an individual. So many people have memories of learning to ski at the slope and we want to hear from them.
“We will be creating a display of key dates for the celebration and we want people’s memories to be a part of that.”
Sales and Marketing Director at Rossendale-based J and J Ormerod Jon Thelwell recalled: “In 1982, I was at school in Hyde and we came to Ski Rossendale to learn how to ski because we were going on a school skiing trip to Italy. I went skiing abroad three times with school and each time we came to Rossendale to prepare us so that we had the confidence to ski on snow.”
There will be an open day on Saturday, June 10 from 10am to 5pm and a limited ticket evening after-party. There will be taster sessions in skiing, snowboarding and tubing that will be on offer at £10 for 45 minutes.
Stalls will be set up on the car park, Rossendale Drum Majorettes and Lighthouse Tai Chi will be holding displays, a DJ will play music and artistes Resist the New and Jim Rhodes will play live. The Ski Rossendale Yeti mascot will be appearing, there will be children’s rides, guest stars, local craft stalls and Ninja café will be open.
The evening ‘after-party’ will be at the rooftop café and on the beginner’s slope with entertainment from duo The Difference. There are just 100 tickets available costing £10 and the event starts at 7.30pm.
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