A Volunteer Vision: Forging Olympic Dreams on a Dry Slope
The Genesis of a Snowsports Haven: From a Chance Encounter to Community Action
As the Winter Olympics concluded, snowsports enthusiasts across the UK continued to enjoy the season. While Scotland's outdoor centers celebrated their most successful winter in six years, Cumbria's Kendal Snowsports Club (KSC), a volunteer-led facility, hummed with activity. Founded in 1984 by John Lowther, KSC has become a cherished resource for everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals.
Recalling the Early Days: Overcoming Skepticism and Building a Dream
Now 89, Lowther reminisces about the club's humble beginnings, when he and his peers questioned if the slope would even last a year. Yet, 42 years later, it stands strong. He recalls a pivotal moment in the 1980s when weekly trips to Carlisle for skiing prompted a late-night encounter with a policeman who doubted his skiing claims until presented with his gear. This experience spurred Lowther's determination to build a ski slope closer to home.
Community Mobilization: The Foundation of Kendal's Skiing Legacy
Lowther and his friends identified a suitable site on Castle Hill. A community meeting in February 1984 drew 200 individuals, each contributing £10 to kickstart the project. Throughout that summer, volunteers dedicated their evenings and weekends to constructing the slope and laying the matting. By August, the ski lodge was complete, and the club officially opened its doors in September, quickly expanding its membership from 200 to 500. Lowther emphasizes the club's founding principle: an entirely volunteer-run operation where passion, not payment, drives participation.
Cultivating Excellence: From Grassroots to Olympic Aspirations
Today, KSC boasts approximately 1,250 annual participants across various disciplines, including race training, freestyle skiing, adaptive skiing, and snowboarding. Lowther beams with pride when recounting moments like watching future Olympic skier Emma Lonsdale begin her journey on the slope at age five. He also cherishes seeing young athletes master complex tricks and the club's racing team compete. He is confident that the club will produce future Olympians for the 2030 Games in the French Alps.
The Enduring Spirit of Volunteerism: A Family United by Snow
Every volunteer contributes, from instructors to gardeners, highlighting the tremendous community support that sustains the club. Lowther explains that their dedication stems from a shared love for the sport and a desire to enable others to experience the joys of winter activities and maintain fitness year-round. Over its 42-year history, more than 50,000 people have learned to ski at KSC. Lowther concludes that the club, now a charitable organization, has truly evolved into "one big, happy family."