Freeborn County has always had the potential prerequisites for downhill, cross country, or airborne skiing with winter snow, gentle slopes and open spaces.

Monday, January 14, 2002

Freeborn County has always had the potential prerequisites for downhill, cross country, or airborne skiing with winter snow, gentle slopes and open spaces.

Maybe the snowfall was somewhat erratic, the slopes could hardly match those found elsewhere in Minnesota or the famous resorts in the West, and some of the open spaces were out in the wooded areas, but skiing enthusiasts in the Albert Lea area have been known to use whatever was available. And back in the days before World War II, local skiers didn’t have to travel very far to enjoy their favorite wintertime sport.

In the 1930s and early 1940s skiers had a choice of three places to visit on a cold wintry day, or evening, to enjoy a few hours of chilly thrills. Two of these places were located northwest of the city, and one lesser known place was on the small hill or mound located to the east of Goose Lake.

Two of the sites for skiing action were located north of Lake Chapeau (then better known as White Lake) and near the area now known as Indian Hills. What became the best downhill ski run was situated to the west of the lake, and a tall ski jump tower was located somewhat to the north and east.

A long open area in the woods along the North Alden Road (now County Road 74) about three miles from the city became the location for a ski slope. This natural spot became a popular gathering spot for the skiers on weekends, and even on week nights after work.

Freeborn-Mower Electric Light and Power Association even installed several poles and ran a string of lights from the top to the bottom of the ski run. The switchbox was located on a pole and locked. However, one of the members of the Albert Lea Ski Club had the key and could turn on the lights for late-night skiing on the slope. Freeborn-Mower furnished the electricity free as a public service. When the skiers finished for the evening, the lights were turned off and the switchbox was locked again.

The downhill ski area lacked a place to get warm, or a ski tow. When the skier got to the end of the run, then it was a matter of walking back up to the top of the slope for another few moments of downhill thrills.

Today, this particular location is part of Indian Hills and is located to the south of County Road 74. However, according to the Feb. 1, 1940, edition of the Tribune this winter recreation area was known as Ski Valley. An article on the sports page said:

&uot;The natural and beautiful Ski Valley slide which is three miles northwest of Albert Lea on the North Alden Road, has been improved to considerable extent. The ground has been leveled down, and a complete electric lighting system has been installed. The lights will enable all winter sport lovers to enjoy evening skiing.

&uot;The slide has a natural winter background. It is nestled among a group of wooded hills overlooking a beautiful landscape, making an ideal setting for ski sportsmen. The use of the slide is granted to all who love the sport.

This service has been made available through the efforts of the local ski club, and through the courtesy and cooperation of Frank Faville, who owns the land.

&uot;Among the members of the local ski club are many exceptionally good ski jumpers. The citizens of Albert Lea and vicinity know many of these young men very well. Bussy Oliver has placed high as a ski jumper on the local ski club jumps. Kenneth Wangen is known for his down hill slalom races. Frank Jensen holds similar records. Others in the same classification are John Deeg, Marv Armstrong, Frank Christiansen, George Chesterman and Mike Gilpin.&uot;

Members of the Albert Lea Ski Club were also responsible for the construction of a wooden ski jump tower in 1935 near the winding creek and railroad tracks on the Steve Schenhofen farm. This tower was on the north side of County Road 74 and located in the northeast corner of Pickerel Lake Township.

According to a 1956 illustration in a Tribune &uot;Hi-Lites and Shadows&uot; feature by Irv Sorenson, the Albert Lea Ski Club was organized in 1910 with 16 members.

The skiers got to the top of the tower by walking up a cleated walk set off from the slide portion by a railing.

The tower became the site for weekend daytime skiing activity and was once used for jumping competition between the local daredevils and a group from Red Wing.

Most of the local skiers left for service during World War II. When they came back after the war, the conspicuous ski jump tower was no longer a part of the skyline.

Local historian Bidney Bergie said the tower was dismantled in 1942. The lumber was used to construct an airplane hanger on the nearby Ruble farm where an early airport was located, and where military flight training was conducted. Later, the hanger was moved to the present airport site and was finally torn down about 1985.

The Albert Lea Ski Club didn’t resume as a local sports organization after the war. In the late 1930s the group was very active and wore distinctive gold sweaters with a large club emblem on the front.

The other logical place for some wintertime skiing, sledding, and tobogganing near Albert Lea was on the small hill or mound located at the east end of Goose Lake. This location was in use and had its own ski jump tower in the late 1920s. Not too much is known about this tower, and it was torn down before the other ski jump was erected on the northwest side of the city.

The late Howard Bank grew up on a farm to the east of Albert Lea and remembers the Goose Lake tower was located on the top of the hill. &uot;It was 16 feet high, had a platform, and featured a double track which was packed with snow,&uot; he said.

Access to the top platform was similar to the other tower with a cleated walkway set off with a railing. The Goose Lake tower, however, had an added feature. One of the runs, or tracks, was for regular skiing. The skier went down the steep incline and then continued on down the hill and out onto the frozen marshland around Goose Lake. The other runway was for ski jumping.

Next: When tobogganing and bobsledding were popular wintertime activities.