an historic cabin on Cypress Mountain's Hollyburn Ridge
Hollyburn Chalet, or “Burnabee Chalet” as it became known, was originally built in 1934 by Gus Johnson with the assistance of Mr. Tom Gibson for the Hollyburn Pacific Ski Club. It was not built on its present location, but was originally constructed on the highest point of land halfway between Hollyburn Lodge and West Lake. In fact, the chalet was then on the edge of such a steep hill that it was used for ski jumping and was one of the larger jump hills on the mountain. The starting platform for the jump was the peak of the cabin!
Mr. Ted Russell, Hollyburn Ranger until the end of 1973, with the assistance of a beautiful horse called Baldy, “snaked out” the logs for the building. Baldy also packed in all the lumber and windows from the upper end of Eyremount Drive.
Mr. Russell recalls, “It was a difficult task because the chalet was built on such a high point of land all the logs had to be hauled uphill.” However, because of its central location, it was the scene of much activity and many dances with live music were held there.
Mr. Russell recalls, “It was a difficult task because the chalet was built on such a high point of land all the logs had to be hauled uphill.” However, because of its central location, it was the scene of much activity and many dances with live music were held there.
In the late 1930’s, upon the opening of the First Narrows Bridge and the British Properties, Brothers Creek and West Lake became water supply sources and Westlake Lodge had to be moved. Since our Chalet was on the very edge of the watershed, it too was moved in 1940. It was taken apart and re-erected on its present site by Otar and Emil Brandvold, with the help of others. A bench in the cabin also built by the Brandvolds commemorates their efforts. They cut the trail and again Mr. Russell, this time with the aid of a much larger horse, moved the logs.
Mr. Russell relates, “It took me nine days of steady work to move the whole building over. If I remember correctly, I was paid ninety dollars for the job.”
The Hollyburn Pacific and Vancouver Ski Club amalgamated, and became the Cypress Ski Club. A few years later this was changed to the Vancouver Ski Club again, and the chalet continued to operate as a lodge and dormitory for skiers until 1963 when the Burnaby Girl Guides leased the building with the option to purchase. This they exercised early in 1965. Many Guiders and girls remember riding the chairlift up the mountain and then hiking from there to the Chalet. When the chairlift burned in June 1965, the use of our Chalet was restricted to those who would hike from Eyremount Drive, taking 2½ hours or more depending on weather conditions.
In 1975, the new Cypress Bowl road was completed and so we can drive to within a 20-30 minute hike of the Chalet, making Hollyburn very popular with Girl Guides once again.
Excerpted from History of Hollyburn, Archives 1975
The Hollyburn Pacific and Vancouver Ski Club amalgamated, and became the Cypress Ski Club. A few years later this was changed to the Vancouver Ski Club again, and the chalet continued to operate as a lodge and dormitory for skiers until 1963 when the Burnaby Girl Guides leased the building with the option to purchase. This they exercised early in 1965. Many Guiders and girls remember riding the chairlift up the mountain and then hiking from there to the Chalet. When the chairlift burned in June 1965, the use of our Chalet was restricted to those who would hike from Eyremount Drive, taking 2½ hours or more depending on weather conditions.
In 1975, the new Cypress Bowl road was completed and so we can drive to within a 20-30 minute hike of the Chalet, making Hollyburn very popular with Girl Guides once again.
Excerpted from History of Hollyburn, Archives 1975