This is the first book to be published on the rich and diverse history of Hollyburn, the forested, mountainous area above West Vancouver. Numerous photographs, most of which are published here for the first time, provide a visual appeal which evokes the spirit of earlier times. The history takes us from the First Nations people who used Hollyburn's natural resources in their culture for hundreds of years through the 1870s when loggers began attacking the slopes, to be followed in the early twentieth century by skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts. World class skiers, especially ski jumpers, honed their skills here in the 1930s and 1940s. Many built cabins, creating a community of weekend refugees from the growing urban clutter that still exists. For much of the postwar period, activity has focussed on Hollyburn's Cypress area, whose position as the downhill venue of choice for the North Shore won it the right to stage freestyle skiing and snow boarding in the 2010 Winter Olympics. The resurgence of interest in cross-country skiing and snowshoeing has made the original Hollyburn area one of the most popular locales for these activities in North America. Hollyburn's combination of natural beauty and proximity to a large urban centre has provided a stage where many of the dialogues that have shaped our priorities for the environment have been played out. Struggles among those with different visions for the use of this land continue today.

Francis Mansbridge’s interest in the history of the North Shore was stimulated by his dozen years as an archivist in North Vancouver. A love of outdoor recreation has led him to spend extensive time exploring the Hollyburn area. Prior to his archival work, Francis taught English at a number of colleges and universities, mostly at the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook. He holds a PhD in English from the University of Ottawa and has published extensively on both academic and popular subjects. His previous books include God’s Recording Angel, a biography of the Canadian poet Irving Layton, and Launching History: The Saga of Burrard Dry Dock. The latter book won the B.C. Lieutenant-Governor’s award for historical writing in 2002.

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