John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson became synonymous with skiing when, as a local postman, he carried
upwards of 60 pounds of mail across the Sierra. He traveled on two 9
foot skis, called snow shoes
at the time, and a long pole. His path took him along the Mormon Emigrant Trail from Placerville to
Genoa and back, and it took him 3 days heading east and only 2 days coming back from Genoa.
As one of the first skiers in the Lake Tahoe region, he not only delivered mail but was also
responsible for rescuing stranded people along his route.
1910
Truckee ski hill opens
1924
The first ski resort in the Lake Tahoe basin was built in Tahoe City near the Tahoe Tavern for hotel
guests. It was originally named Olympic Hill, and is now called Granlibakken
in Norwegian it means
"a hillside sheltered by fir trees".
1927
Donner Ski Ranch was first utilized for skiing, located at Donner Summit.
1929
Sierra Winter Expedition was published and the ski industry began to grow.
1931
U.S. Olympic Committee chooses Granlibakken as the Olympic trials location held in
February. Reno competitor Wayne Poulsen, future Squaw Valley developer, placed third
in the ski jumping event.
1932
Southern Pacific Railroad begins the weekend "Snowball Special" to Norden, Truckee
and Tahoe City (Granlibakken). This was subsequently halted during WWII.
1936
In Tahoe City Bill Bechdolt establishes a 1,300 long rope tow across from the
junction of Highway 28 and 89.
1941
Edelweiss Resort at Camp Sacramento, the largest of the small resorts, with a chairlift
and 3 rope tows located on either side of what is now Highway 50. Lutz Aynedter, the 1946
downhill ski champion of Germany teaches skiing here.
During WWII
Most snow skiing was halted during WWII.
Post WWII
Gasoline for cars became available and the desire to play after the war increases.
People begin purchasing Army surplus snow ski equipment. Ski Clubs are revived and plans
for snow skiing within the Lake Tahoe basin begin.
1946
White Hills Ski Resort at Spooner Summit is founded by William M. Bliss of Glenbrook,
NV at the junction of Highways 50 and 28. It consisted of a ski jump, T
bar and in the early
1950's, a chairlift. Three of its four first winters were very light. In 1952 the snow came
hard, and the entire basin was closed for three weeks. The resort never reopened after that
winter, and the equipment was later sold to Badger Pass in Yosemite National Park.
John Riley founds Ward Peak, known as Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, as an alternative to its
'fast paced' neighbor, Squaw Valley. San Francisco families pool resources to develop a ski
resort near Tahoe City less as a business venture and more for their love of skiing. Alpine
Meadows opens with 3 lifts during the 1961-62 ski season.
Zac Kirkwood's dairy is the oldest establishment along the Carson Emigrant Trail.
It operates strictly as a trading post in the early pioneer days.
1864
Alpine County officially formed, which was cut from existing El Dorado, Amador and
Calaveras Counties. Kirkwood's milk house and barn are in Alpine County, and the Kirkwood
Inn and log house being split by all three counties in the bar area. Kirkwood's "Old Time
Resort" became a popular summer resort for families.
1966
Zac Kirkwood's family sells to Kirkwood Meadows Inc.
Reno locals began skiing in the area currently known as Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe.
Shortly after World War II, a lodge called Sky Tavern was built in the area where
a few surface lifts had run since before the war. Sky Tavern has since been sold
to the City of Reno and is now used for junior ski programs.
1950s
The Reno Ski Bowl was built on the east slope of Slide Mountain (currently the
East Bowl of Mt. Rose), and at one point was connected to the Sky Tavern area by the
old Ringer Chair.
1964
The north side of Slide Mountain became Mt. Rose Ski Area, and Reno Ski Bowl
becomes Slide Mountain Ski Area.
1987
Slide Mountain and Mt. Rose begin operating as one resort.
Northstar-at-Tahoe
1949
A tree farm is started on Mt. Pluto, where Northstar is currently located.
1972
The Fibreboard Corporation started the Northstar-at-Tahoe mountain resort.
Wayne Poulsen purchased 1,200 acres in Squaw Valley for a ski resort.
1946
Alex Cushing takes trip to Sierra with friends and falls in love with Squaw Valley
1947
Skiers were pulled by snow cat up the hill.
1949
November 24, 1949, less than three years after his first visit, Alex Cushing opened
the Squaw Valley Development Company. Skiers could ride the world's largest double chairlift,
Squaw One and rest at the then unfinished Squaw Valley Lodge.
1955
Alexander Cushing flies to Europe to present the International Olympic Committee with a
3,000 pound model of Squaw Valley, and was selected to host the 1960 Winter Olympics.
