However, that condition was not due to the weatherman, as he supplied more than an ample supply that fluffy white stuff so dear to all ski enthusiasts. As a matter of record, the recreational season got off to a flying start during October and November, despite the war and threatened tire and gas rationing. 

But tire and gas rationing, travel restrictions and general holding up of resort operators in the Northwest did put a crimp in the competitive schedule, and it was not until the Univeristy of Washington and Washington State College squads met on Mt. Spokane, February 5, 6 and 7, that the first recognized racing event was run off. Individual first places were evenly divided between the two schools, with Art Strom and Bob Smith of Washington taking the jumping and crosscountry respectively, and the LaVigne brothers, Gordon and Norman, capturing the downhill and slalom for the Cougars of Washington State.

Next event on the program was the Camp Little Norway Benefit jumps at Leavenworth, the following weekend. This event was entirely a benifit affair with skiers, officials and the like paying all their own expenses and the entire gate, less tax, going to the Camp Little Norway Fund. Top spot in the Class-A jump went to veteran Olav Ulland, who leaped 245 and 263 feet for 229.0 points. But that was not the entire story. Ulland's second leap, which was only 10 feet short of Torger Tokle's hill record and one time national mark, saw the Seattleite landing further down the hill than did the former national champion, but the heavy fall of snow had shortened the incline considerably and the record withstood another assult.

Top spot in the Class-B event went to Ray Hendrickson of Leavenworth, with leaps of 135 and 140 feet on the smaller B hill. He tallied 232.95 points. Class-C honors went to Bob St. Louis, Seattle High School student, who jumped 104 and 103 feet for 199.91 points. The meet was exceptionally well attended.

The last recognized event on the foreshortened schedule was a combination affair put on for the benifit of the U.S. Army Recreational Camp at Jefferson Park in Seattle, with all servicemen being special guests and all proceeds going to the Athletic Fund of the Camp. The affair was staged by the Seattle and Sahalie Ski Clubs.

First place in the jumps, held at the Beaver Lake Hill at Snoqualmie Pass, went to Olav Ulland, the Seattle flyer, who leaped 211 and 213 feet to set a new mark for the hill.  He tallied 218.65 points for first place. In Class-B event, N.Oakvik, Bush Lake, Minn., took first place with jumps of 191 and 207 feet for 205.90 points. Big thrill of the day was the sensational jump of Ray Hendrickson, Leavenworth youth, who leaped 217 feet for what would have been a new record for both A and B competition, only to fall as he hit the change of gradient and thus ruin his record-breaking chance. Class-C honors went to Harold Van Buskirk, Leavenworth, with jumps of 88 and 92 feet for 202.3 points on the little hill.

These tournaments wound up the recognized schedule for the state, although several impromptu meets were held and attracted a goodly number of competitive skiers. Two meets were also held at Mt. Hood in Oregon.

Skiing, largely of the recreation type, was confined to such resorts as Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, and Mt. Spokane, although several other spots also drew large throngs on ocassion. Mt. Baker Lodge was closed, as were accommodations at Paradise Valley on Mt. Rainier, although sleeping quarters were available in Longmire in the park.

Two northwest clubs, Sahalie and Cascade, suffered severe setbacks during the season when heavy snow on teh roof of the Cascade Lodge at Mt. Hood caused the roof to cave in, thus closing the building for the duration, and fire destroyed the Sahalie Clubhouse at Snoqualmie, on April 16. No one was injured in either disaster, although much valuable equipment, which cannot be replaced for some time, was lost.

Large numbers of Servicemen in the Northwest took advantage of opportunities to ski offered by various groups, and each weekend saw the military practically take over some of the better known hills.  Regular U.S.O. parties ran from Tacoma to Mt. Rainier on both Saturdays and Sundays, and the U.S. Army Recreational Camp scheduled regular runs to Snoqualmie. At least two clubs, Penguins of Seattle and the Tacoma S.C., staged drives to round up old equipment to donate to Service organizations and several hundred dollars worth of usable ski togs and accessories were gathered up by them.

As for the coming season, that is the biggest question mark in the history of Northwest skiing, but indications are that there will be much more skiing then during the past season, although most of it will by the juniors, women and Servicemen, along with a few defense workers able to get a few hours off from their errort in winning the war.

-Howard Clifford

END