Camp Fortune turns 100

Steve Hamlin, 

special to the Bulletin

2020 marks an incredible milestone in local skiing history. Camp Fortune Ski Resort, located in the beautiful Gatineau Park, which had its humble beginnings 100 years ago, will mark this significant anniversary all year long.

Well before anybody even thought of making artificial snow, the skiers of a century ago, much to their delight, would take a train from Ottawa and Hull to spend the day climbing up the hills and skiing back down. 100 years later thousands of people enjoy the thrills of alpine skiing in one of the region’s most beautiful settings. Ranging from beginner hills to very difficult hills known as double black diamonds, Camp Fortune has something for everyone.

Even though many things have changed at Camp Fortune in the last 100 years, the hills have stayed relatively untouched. Speaking to one of Camp Fortune’s patrons, we learn that the love of skiing fostered as a young boy carries on to this day. Bill Brown tells us of a cherished childhood memory. “I can remember my father taking me to ski at Camp Fortune every weekend through my childhood. starting when I was four years old. When I come today to ski at Camp Fortune, I ski all the same runs I skied as a child. It gives me a chance to relive those days.”

There are all sorts of events coming up marking Camp Fortune’s hundredth anniversary, including the Duffy Dual Mogul Challenge, the Cuzner Cup Freeski competition, and the Fortune Cup Dual Slalom Race.

On the evening of Saturday, March 14, there will be a torchlight parade of 100 skiers at 9 PM, followed by fireworks and live music in the lodge. For more details, please check campfortune.com