Skoki Ski Lodge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skoki Ski Lodge |
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| Location | Alberta, Canada |
| Elevation | 7100 feet |
| Founded | Ski Club of the Canadian Rockies |
| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | Earl Spencer |
| Architectural style(s) | Rustic Design Tradition |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| Website | Parks Canada page |
| Designated | 1992 |
The Skoki Ski Lodge is a special place in Banff National Park, Canada. It was built between 1930 and 1931. This lodge was the very first building in Canada, and maybe even in North America, made just for skiers! Local members of the Ski Club of the Canadian Rockies built it. Earl Spencer, a local builder, designed and constructed the lodge. He had help from Spud White and Victor Kutschera. The lodge grew bigger until 1936, with Jim Boyce, a guide and builder, adding more parts. It looks much the same today as it did back then. The lodge is open all year round.
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Journey to Skoki Lodge
The Skoki Ski Lodge is quite far from any roads. It is about 6.8 miles (11 kilometers) from the nearest road. Clifford Whyte and Cyril Paris first thought of building the lodge. The first part of the lodge was a simple log building. It was about 25 feet (7.6 meters) long and 16 feet (4.9 meters) wide.
Early Buildings and Management
The next year, a resting spot called the Halfway Hut was built. This hut was halfway between Skoki and the Lake Louise train station. A kitchen and two small cabins were also built that year. Clifford Whyte's younger brother, Peter, and his wife Catharine took over managing the lodge. The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies is named after them.
After the 1932 winter season, Jim Boyce became the manager. He continued to run the lodge through the 1930s. A big expansion happened in 1935 and 1936. More rooms were added upstairs. A bathhouse and more cabins were also built. In 1972, Locke's Resorts took over the lodge's management.
A Historic Canadian Site
The Skoki Ski Lodge was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1992. This means it is a very important place in Canadian history. It was recognized for helping early tourism in Canada's national parks. It also shows a special building style called "rustic design."
How Skoki Got Its Name
The first non-native person to explore the Skoki Valley was James Foster Porter. He was from Illinois and visited in 1911. Porter and his friends suggested many names for this beautiful area. One name they thought of was "Skokie Valley." This name was later changed to "Skoki." The word "Skoki" comes from a Native word meaning "swamp." This name doesn't really describe the valley well. Porter liked the name so much that a town near his home in Chicago was later renamed Skokie.
Royal Visitors at Skoki
During their visit to Canada in 2011, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales stayed at the Skoki Ski Lodge. They enjoyed their time at this historic and beautiful place.
