Downhill skiing at Mount Seymour has deep roots in the outdoor and ski culture of British Columbia’s North Shore Mountains. Although the mountain was first explored for recreation in the 1920s and formally established as Mount Seymour Provincial Park in 1936, it was the arrival of organized skiing that really put the area on the map. In 1938, Swedish immigrant Harald Enqvist built the first ski lodge on Mount Seymour, offering a cafeteria, ski rentals, and marking the beginnings of structured downhill skiing on the mountain’s slopes. His enthusiasm for ski culture laid the foundation for skiing as a community activity on Seymour, attracting local enthusiasts and pioneering skiers who were drawn to the snow and terrain just outside Vancouver.
Over the ensuing decades, Mount Seymour evolved into a beloved ski destination. After the provincial government purchased the ski area in 1949, it issued operating permits and later worked with concessionaires to develop facilities including lifts, ski school operations, and expanded terrain infrastructure. The ski area became known not only for family-friendly downhill skiing but also for hosting local races and community events that helped foster a vibrant ski culture in the region. By the 1960s and 1970s, chairlifts and improved access made the slopes more accessible to a broader range of skiers, cementing Mount Seymour’s reputation as a premier winter recreation area for Vancouver residents.
A key part of this history is Enquist Lodge, named in honour of Mount Seymour’s early pioneer Harald Enqvist (sometimes spelled Enqvist and later Enquist), whose original lodge helped anchor winter activities on the mountain. Over time, the lodge has served as a central hub for skiers, providing rest, dining, and a social focal point for visitors coming up the hill. Although the original Enqvist structures have been replaced or rebuilt over the years, including a reconstruction after a fire in the 2000s, the name and legacy remain integral to the ski area’s identity, reminding visitors of the mountain’s origins as a grassroots skiing pioneer site.
Today, Mount Seymour continues to blend its historic charm with modern skiing, offering a mix of classic downhill terrain and updated facilities that preserve its heritage while serving a new generation of winter sports enthusiasts.
For similar historical photo collections, please these previous posts: Old Photographs of Skating from the Vancouver Area and Old Photographs of Skiing at Grouse Mountain.
The photos above were collected from the City of Vancouver Archives. If you’re interested, additional information can be found for each photograph on their website. Stay tuned for additional posts featuring historical photos from Vancouver, British Columbia, and across Western Canada. We’d love to know what you think in the comment section below.
