THE STORY OF WHITE BUTTE
White Butte was established in 1982. Its
name is an amalgamation of the names
of two adjacent communities, White
City and Pilot Butte.
Following lobbying efforts by members
of the Regina Ski Club, the
Saskatchewan Natural History Society,
and numerous other interested persons,
the provincial government offered the
area, now known as White Butte, for
use as a cross-country ski area,
recreation area, and wildlife refuge.
The site offered skiers some thick bush
for wind protection, rolling topography,
and a number of old vehicle trails that
could be included in ski trail planning.
In 1983, Bob Herbison, park planner for
the provincial government, used maps
and aerial photos to pre-plan the
proposed ski trails. A group of volunteers worked with him, flagging the bush prior to trail cutting by the
government.
By removing stones, stumps, and old car bodies, and filling in some wet spots. Ski club volunteers have
improved these trails yearly, and added first the Cherry trails, followed by Snowberry.
A number of years ago, we were in danger of losing White Butte when the Saskatchewan Department of
Highways proposed routing Highway 46 to Balgonie through the area. Fortunately, lobbying by the
Regina Ski Club, Saskatchewan Natural History Society, and others prevailed and the area was saved for
our enjoyment.
The warming hut at the trailhead was supplied by the provincial government and moved, at Regina Ski
Club’s expense, from Valeport to White Butte.
Bob Herbison, Susan McGillivray, Ron
Blechinger, Hal Herbison, Bob Serban, Joe
Turnham, Gregg Brewster, and Gene
Josephson are just a few of the many club
members who deserve honorable mention
as White Butte builders.
In 2006, the entire White Butte trail system
was designated a part of the Trans-Canada
Trail.
White Butte is classified as a recreation site
and is part of the Saskatchewan provincial
park system. It is presently under the
jurisdiction of the Ministry of Tourism,
Parks, Culture and Sport.
Peter Whitehead
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