Author Archive

Every time we drive into Squaw Valley my father religiously turns the radio down for just a second so we can look at the valley and says thanks Wayne! Similar thing with a different message when we enter Tahoe City.  Many know, some don’t, that Wayne Poulsen worked hard on preserving the natural beauty of Squaw Valley.  When the 1960 Olympics were coming there were plans to pave the valley to meet the needs of the spectators.  Wayne fought hard and, although the story is much more involved, he saved the Valley floor as he accepted the placement of a mixture of snow and sawdust ~ which worked great! Although he is known as the co-founder of Squaw Valley, its original skiing inhabitant (with wife Sandy), ski jumper extraordinaire, Pilot, and family man, perhaps his greatest legacy is as an environmentalist. So, occasionally, turn the radio down for just a sec and thank Wayne!… Read more

Craig Beck (one of the first Tahoe extreme athletes) has just brought his incredible longboard display to the sierra ski collection at the Gatekeepers Museum.  Once you see them you will know who the real first extreme skiers were.  The skis were upwards of 16 feet long and had wooden and rope bindings that were strapped on and away you go!  The prizes were huge at the time with purses up to $1000.00.  The great thing was that women were included and many times were the fastest skiers reaching up to 70mph, ~ and of course, took home the prize money!  Fun display spanning a large part of the museum ~ Thanks again Craig for all you have done over the years for the community!… Read more

As of Aug 12th the exhibits of the Museum of Sierra Ski History will be hosted by the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society within the fabulous Gatekeepers Museum.  We want to thank the members of the Historical Society for making this happen.  This will be the home of the collection for the next few years while we continue to work on our permanent space.   Our collection of over 1000 regional ski artifacts will complement the large existing museum collection of Lake Tahoe artifacts and the Steinbach Indian basket Collection.  Great News ~Thanks so much!… Read more

57 years after the Olympics the inflatable cushion remains in perfect condition! The most impressive thing is that the cushion inflates and appears as though it were made yesterday.  Good to know that people watched the Olympics in comfort.  The story behind it is also fun with Mr. Reynolds moving to Sparks in 1959 with his mother.  She worked as a hostess in the Sparks Nugget coffee shop where she received several Olympic pins and this pillow as tips.   The pillow has been stored carefully ever since.  Thank you so much Bob and Nancy for the donation and the great story!… Read more

Well we tried our hardest to remain open everyday, all year long.  Turns out the last big storm dropped a little too much rain and snow causing some minor issues to the museum.  Because of this, we have decided to close for a few weeks and work on renovating the museum, both improving the layout and adding to the displays.  Stay tuned and within a week or so I will describe the newest additions including bringing in the great artifact donations that we recently received.  Enjoy the Snow and see you soon!… Read more

What a great donation!  Flags from multiple countries, a spectators Olympic flag, rare Olympic pins and an Olympic Program all in great condition! These origninal items will all be place in the museum for everyone to see.  Thanks so much Emily – a Wonderful Donation!… Read more

Theodore (Ted) A. Wilson so enjoyed the out of doors and said that when he went to work for California Department of Parks and Recreation, “Why should I work in the city and go to the mountains two weeks a year when I can live in the mountains and go to the city twice a year!”  That being said, he went to work for “Beaches and Parks” and enjoyed thirty-one years of the great out-of doors – such parks as Emerald Bay, Big Basin, Humbolt Redwoods, Santa Cruz Beaches, Squaw Valley, Oroville SRA, Santa Barbara, Sierra Area – starting as a Ranger and retiring as District Superintendent.  He was a decorated veteran of WWII serving in the Asia/Pacific, American and European Theaters of Operation.  He was also at the Battle of the Bulge and very honored to serve his country. He was admired and respected by all who knew him.

Thank you so very much Ted for all you did for the State and for saving such wonderful Olympic artifacts now for all to share. Thanks also to Sue and Jim Kubinec for providing us with Ted’s collection which we will give great care…. Read more

Sven Wiik(center), a genial and tireless proponent of Nordic skiing in Colorado and a member of both the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame and U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, died of natural causes July 5 at Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs. He was 95.

Among his accomplishments, Wiik coached the 1960 U.S. Olympic cross-country ski team in Squaw Valley, California, as well as the 1958 World Championship team, and with coach Marty Hall, designed the course of the Birkebeiner — North America’s premier ski marathon from Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin. For more information and to watch an inspiring video go to the link:  http://www.steamboattoday.com/news/2016/jul/06/sven-wiik-recalled-ensuring-nordic-skiings-place-s/

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15th Anniversary  of the dedication of the  Statue of Snowshoe Thompson  Saturday, June 25, 2016 11–4 pm Mormon Station State Park, Genoa
featuring:  Nordahl Grieg Norwegian Folk Dancers,  Fjord horses with Jacquelyn Leuener,   Richard Blair ~ musician, “Snowshoe Thompson” (aka Steve Hale) and Norwegian dignitaries.
Free admission to the   “Snowshoe” exhibit in the Genoa Museum     Sponsored by the Friends of SnowshoeThompson

~  www.snowshoethompson.org    Information: 775-315-7777    (Pictured above is Nina Macloed in her normal ski wear ~ authentic Norweigen clothes and, of course, Shoeshoe Thompson.)… Read more