Our History
Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride, nestled in the heart of Ontario’s Haliburton Highlands near Eagle Lake, has been a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts since 1965. Founded by Bob and Noreen Bishop, the resort was created to showcase Haliburton as a winter getaway while also driving economic growth in the region.


​For over five decades, the Bishop family played a pivotal role in shaping Sir Sam’s into a family-friendly ski destination, expanding its offerings to include mountain biking and hiking, making it a year-round retreat. In 2021, after 56 years of ownership, the Bishop family passed the torch to the Wilkinson family, who have since introduced new amenities such as the Eagle View Wedding and Event Centre and the Eagle View Observation Tower.
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In 2025, the Bishop legacy came full circle with the appointment of Dave Bishop as General Manager, reconnecting the family’s deep roots to Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride. The Wilkinson family, along with several community members, proudly own the resort as part of a shareholder group, keeping it a cherished part of the Haliburton Highlands.
Taking Sir Sam's Into the Future
Sir Sam’s has unveiled a new strategic modernization plan that will take the beloved community ski hill into its next decade. Spearheaded by the new shareholder group, the modernization initiative focuses on enhancing accessibility, safety, and the skier experience. Two legacy lifts - the Red Rocket (1971) and Eagle View (1982) - were decommissioned in October 2025 after decades of loyal service.
The Red Rocket is a BM lift that was installed at Sir Sam’s in 1971. It was the first chair lift at Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride and fulfilled the needs of skiers accessing the runs on the far side of the resort. In 1989, a quad chair was installed beside the Red Rocket. At that time the Red Rocket became a secondary lift and operated on busy days to ensure lift lines were kept to a minimum. Over the years the Red Rocket was used less but was always a skier favourite. The last time the Red Rocket ran was for one day in 2024.
The Eagle View chair lift (known as the Brown Double) was purchased and erected in 1982. It gave easier access to all runs across the top of the hill and it was part of the Bishop’s modernization plan at the time. The Eagle View chair lift was operational from 1982 through 2025.


Share Your Story With Us!
Share your best memories from the past 60 years with Sir Sam's Ski/Ride
In honour of our 60th Anniversary this year, we're looking to collect your treasured memories from the past & present. We pride ourselves on being the Best Family Hill in Ontario and welcome your memories to be part of our exciting history.
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Do you have stories, photos, or videos you'd like to share with us? If so, please submit them via email below. ​We will be sharing your stories on our website and also through our social media channels.
Thank you for being part of our story, we're so happy to be a small part of yours!







