Tobogganing has long been a favourite winter pastime. Sliding down snow-covered slopes on a sled evokes fond childhood memories of long days spent outside in the brisk air. As you’ll see from these vintage photographs, tobogganing is for both the young and the young at heart, so when you’re finished with this post, grab your sled and find the nearest hill for some much-needed winter fun.
Toboggan slide, Banff, Alberta, 1930Boys pulling toboggan on Scarboro Avenue, Calgary, Alberta, 1949Men on toboggan at winter carnival, Banff, Alberta, 1925Three girls on toboggan at winter carnival, Banff, Alberta, 1925Toboggan run at Riley Park, Calgary, Alberta, n.d.Toboggan run, Calgary, Alberta, n.d.Children going to school by toboggan, Clairmont, Alberta, 1935Children at top of toboggan hill at Red Deer Lake School, south of Calgary, Alberta, 1937-1939Toboggan run, Banff, Alberta, 1938Biggs children sledding down snowy hillside, Springfield Ranch, Beynon, Alberta, 1920View of some toboggans made by Tom Walter for Ben Basnett’s Trading Post, 1923-1924. Object #A6343Unidentified children travelling by horse and toboggan near Hines Creek, Alberta, n.d. Object #A6349Six men on a toboggan in front of W. Magnan General Store, Beaumont, n.d. Object #A9184Group photo of people at a toboggan party at Tennis’ Hardisty, n.d. Object #A16941Children from St. Peter’s Mission tobogganing. St. Peter’s Mission founded in 1886 by George Holmes, Lesser Slave Lake, 1928. Object #A4270
Children playing on toboggans at St. John’s Mission, Wabasca, AB. Laundry and root house behind, 1950-1955. Object #A9246
The photos above were collected from the Glenbow Archives and the Provincial Archives of Alberta. If you’re interested, additional information can be found for each photograph on the Glenbow website by searching the identification number that is printed on the photo. There is also the option to purchase a high resolution copy. If you search the object number that can be found in the photo captions, you will find additional information about the photographs on the Provincial Archives website. Stay tuned for additional posts featuring historical photos from across Alberta. We’d love to know what you think in the comment section below.
Tyler is originally from Saskatchewan, and yes he cheers for the Roughriders, but don’t hold that against him as Calgary has been his home for the past eight years. He is a teacher working at a wilderness-
based treatment program for youth working to overcome addiction. Tyler is also a volunteer with the GOT Parks initiative, which aims at reconnecting Canada’s youth with our national, provincial, and territorial parks. During his time away from work, Tyler enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and snowboarding, team sports, travelling, photography, spending time with good friends, and being at home with his wife and German Shepherd, Rome.
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