Archive for April, 2014

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Museum Co-founder Maryann Batiste Prepares the Olympic Displays of Julia Mancuso and Daron Rahlves! 0

The two personal Olympic Ski Outfits, generously donated to the museum by Julia Mancuso and Daron Rahlves, are the centerpiece of a new display featuring the two skiers.  Co-founder Maryann Batiste is shown putting the finishing touches on the display which we hope to have placed in the museum the first week of May.  As noted in our prior posts, these are not only two of the greatest athletes of our time but surely the most generous – the Museum cannot thank you enough for your donations and your support!… Read more

Wonderful “thoughts” from Billy Kidd spoken at the Museum! 0

During the 1960 and 1964 Olympic reunion at the museum, Billy Kidd gave a wonderful speech about the people and events in his life and the importance of ski and Olympic history.  I complimented him afterward on his speech and he said: “you know, Stan, that wasn’t really a speech those are just my thoughts on the great times”. You can see the video of Billy’s thoughts under “Events/Press” link on the ” Event Video” page on this website.  Thanks Billy!… Read more

Sugar Bowl brings its rich history to the Museum! 0

 Although considered by many as the best ski resort in the Sierras, most people, even the locals, do not know the fascinating history of Sugar Bowl.  Yes, the skiing there is great, but the great importance of Sugar Bowl to the museum lies in its rich history beginning with the pioneer trail that went through the later built ski area; the Snowball Express that brought up skiers beginning at the turn of the century, and all of the celebrities who came for the best skiing and lodging of the time.  The history continues with the formal opening of Sugar Bowl in 1939 with early investors, like Walt Disney, who loved the resort, up through the continuing modernization and growth seen recently when another peak opened to skiers ~ Crows Nest Peak.  The story is wonderful but too detailed for this simple blog. ~~~ We are so excited that Sugar Bowl has formally joined the museum as they have graciously constructed three large display cases giving us a glimpse of their rich history.  Thanks so much to those at Sugar Bowl for their historical contributions to the people of the region and for their hospitality on the slopes!… Read more

Powder Perfect by Barbara Fritschi Morgan ~ Donation of her book that tells the little known story of the Fritschi Family as avid skiers and early investors in the Squaw Valley ski Area!

Powder Perfect by Barbara Fritschi Morgan ~ Donation of her book that tells the little known story of the Fritschi Family as avid skiers and early investors in the Squaw Valley ski Area! 0

The museum received a donation of the book “Powder Perfect” by Barbara Fritschi Morgan. The book tells the little known story of the Fritschi Family as avid skiers and early investors in the Squaw Valley Ski Area. The book recounts bootstrapping up a new ski area at the dawn of the modern winter sports era in California. The Fritschi’s were real pioneers in the industry and deserve much credit for the early success of the ski area. The book includes Theodora Fritschi Heric’s reminisces of early ski adventures in the Eastern Sierra near Mammoth and Robert Fritschi’s restoration of Glen Alpine Springs Resort, near Fallen Leaf Lake.  It will be included in our Squaw Valley Ski Area collection and serve as an important resource for future researchers. ~ To purchase a copy of “Powder Perfect” go to the “books” page on this website…. Read more

Donation in Memory of Nate Topol

Donation in Memory of Nate Topol 0

The Topol Family of Tahoe Pines donated two rare Sports Illustrated magazines devoted to coverage of the 1960 Winter Olympics. The donation was made in memory of Nate Topol. These are the kind of things that keep the museum growing and provide further insight into our wonderful ski history past.  We will try to present these magazines in such a way that the stories within the magazine are shown.  Thank you so much, Topol Family, for your gift!… Read more

Museum hosts 1960 and 1964 US Olympic Ski Team Reunion!!!

Museum hosts 1960 and 1964 US Olympic Ski Team Reunion!!! 0

 

Museum Co-founders David C Antonucci and Stan Batiste (pictured 2nd and 3rd from the left, next to Billy Kidd) are so happy to have hosted a reunion reception for the members of the 1960 and 1964 US Ski Team at the Museum. It was a fun night with 1960 US Ski Team members;  Beverly Anderson Brockway, Tom Corcoran and Joan Hannah  and 1964 US Ski Team members Billy Kidd, Chuck Ferries, Joan Hannah, Barbara Ferries Henderson, Bill Marolt, Ni Orsi and Starr Walton Hurley.  Everyone had a great time with food and drinks again provided by Joe Lanza and Eli Covell of the Hacienda restaurant and talks by Tom Kelly of the United States Ski and Snowboard Association, Museum Co-founder David C Antonucci and Olympic medalist Billy Kidd.  Thanks also to photographer Sarah Brunson and US Olympic team logistical manager Jen Desmond for helping to make it go so well.  Another wonderful time ~~and  we are already planning the next museum party!… Read more

The known generosity of Julia Mancuso touches the Museum!

The known generosity of Julia Mancuso touches the Museum! 0

Julia Mancuso is known for her generosity and philanthropy which now has touched the Museum of Sierra Ski History and 1960 Winter Olympics.  Julia grew up only 5 minutes from the museum in Olympic Valley, CA.  She is America’s greatest skier winning 4 medals in the Olympics, the most ever for a female alpine skier, and of course is our local hero.  Upon returning from her bronze medal victory in Sochi, Julia donated her entire Downhill and Super G ski outfit to the Museum (pictured above).  We have already picked out a display case and plan to have the suit on display in the museum by the end of April. ~~~We cannot thank you enough Julia for your donation to us and for all of your generosity to others!… Read more

Incredible donation by Joseph W. Smith!

Incredible donation by Joseph W. Smith! 0

Joseph W. Smith has found and donated the original 1960 Winter Olympics, State of California/ Olympic Commission engineering plans for transportation and snow compacting.  These are fantastic, very rare books with over 110 pages describing the Olympic facilities plans for traffic and parking.    Tahoe City and Truckee are among the areas included in many charts, maps and drawings detailing the transportation and parking plans for the event.  We know of no other copies of these books in existence. Once these are copied we will put them on display.  ~~~ Thank you so much Joseph for your valuable donation!… Read more

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