Archive for 2014

Barbara once again provides the Museum with outstanding memories from the past.  As noted in an earlier post her family was an integral part of the early history of Squaw Valley.   This recent donation includes many rare family pictures of their life in the early days of Squaw Valley. Shown above is a picture of lunchtime on the deck where the group is seen sharing a jug of wine and hamburgers as they take a break from skiing. Robert Fritschi is on the left (crew cut), likely Bobby Huega is in the front.  Irene Fritschi is petting her cat and Skip Sherman has his head down, looking at the cat.  Thanks again Barbara ~ we will catalog these family pictures and prepare them for display soon.

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 This small and rare plaque from undetermined Olympic memorabilia shows the official logo with an engraving of the Norwegian Birkebiners. In the 12th century, the Birkebiners carried the heir on skis to the Norwegian throne on skis to safety across treacherous mountainous terrain. The plaque was a donation from Inger Bisson, the author of the acclaimed novel, Rotar and the Silver Book of Knowledge. Inger continues to search for more donations of rare memorabilia from the 1952 Winter Olympics held in Oslo, Norway.… Read more

Thank you, Erica, for your generous donation and the appreciative note that you left at the Museum.  As you know, Museum admission is free with donations gladly accepted.  We have had a successful year because of generous donations which will help us move into the fall and winter months.  Your donation, along with the others, gives us more motivation to grow and provide the community and the world with ever increasing resources to help tell our story.  Thanks to Erica, and all who have helped with donations, both material and financial. The posted picture is from Erica’s education card.… Read more

Barbara Fritschi Morgan donated copies of a number of rare documents associated with the early days of the Squaw Valley Ski Area. Most significant of these were examples of Alex Cushing’s annual letter to stockholders, a brochure and excerpt from a magazine article. Barbara’s parents, Theo and Dave Fritschi (pictured), were among a group of founding investors in the ski area recruited by Wayne Poulsen. Dave Fritschi worked for the Ski Corporation for many years and his daughter Barbara spent summers with him at Lake Tahoe. Barbara assisted her mother in writing a memoir of her early years at the ski area in the book, Powder Perfect.  Barbara generously donated a copy of the book and it is now part of the museum’s Squaw Valley archive and artifact collection…. Read more

The new “Know Your History” T-shirts have arrived! A limited supply will be available for purchase at our booth during the “Homewood Days” celebration on July 12.  The  t-shirts will be available soon at the Tahoe Visitor Center located at the “Y” in Tahoe City and in the Boatworks Mall. We will keep you posted on when and where to purchase the shirts.… Read more

Homewood Days, held on July 12, is a celebration featuring the people, music and outdoor activities which make the West Shore the great place it is. The Museum of Sierra Ski History and 1960 Winter Olympics volunteers will staff a booth with a display of some of the unique ski items and an overview of our ski history. Stop by and chat with the volunteers about the great ski history of the region.  The new Museum T-shirts will be available for purchase at the booth.  In this area it is never off season to think skiing. See you there!… Read more

Come by and see the new Museum display featuring the 2010 Vancouver Olympic ski outfit from Daron Rahlves and the 2014 Sochi Olympic ski outfit from Julia Mancuso. We thank them so much for sharing with everyone!… Read more

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

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

 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