Another week means it’s time to uncover a new Nugget of Knowledge in ERA! This time, we’re sliding into the history of student life with a study that takes us back to the early days of skiing at the U of A with The Varsity Ski Club: Recreation, Participation, and Leadership in Extracurricular Education at the University of Alberta, 1932–1938 by Lyndsay Conrad.
This thesis explores how the student-run Varsity Ski Club helped turn the river valley into a winter playground. In the 1930s, members planned Sunday Ski Hikes, built their own cabin, and carved out a strong sense of community, while also gaining leadership and organizational skills that were part of a well-rounded education. It also sheds light on how men and women navigated the gender expectations of the era, showing how the club helped shape confident leaders both on and off the slopes. This is a great read if you’re looking to snow more about U of A’s early outdoor culture.