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/
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
Pictured in the upper right is Nina MacLeod who started the Snowshoe Thompson event 17 yrs ago in Hope Valley. Now together with “Friends of Snowshoe Thompson” also participated in Norway’s 28th tour in March. Between 1856 and 1876, Snowshoe Thompson delivered mail between Placerville, California and Genoa, Nevada. Despite his nickname, he did not make use of the snowshoes, but rather would travel with ten-foot skis. Thompson typically made the eastward trip in three days, and the return trip in two days and did not carry a blanket or a gun. My favorite story is that when he would get cold he would just dance a jig on a rock. Hard to believe someone could do this job even with today’s luxury clothing ~ truly a great man!… Read more
The Museum has had the great fortune of acquiring one of the very few Olympic Sweaters that were given out at the 1960 winter games. It is truly impressive ~ in great condition like the day it was worn. The sweaters were given to the winners prior to receiving their medals on the podium. Pictured here is the beautiful, American gold medal winner Carol Heiss and American bronze medal winner Barbara Roles…. Read more
The Museum of Sierra Ski History and the Western Skisport Museum are partners with the Squaw Valley Ski Museum Foundation (SVSMF) in working towards the creation of a World Class museum for the region. On January 15th the SVSMF launched their website and one month earlier began the fundraising drive to get the project in full gear. Between the two museums there is the largest western ski collection with 1000’s of artifacts including items from Snowshoe Thompson and skis from the gold rush era, to turn of the century skis up to items from our Olympians and the world class skiers of today. We are all proud of the groups effort and are looking forward to making the SVSMF project happen. Thanks everyone for the work and thanks to those that have donated. For more information please visit the NEW SVSMF site at www.olympicskimuseum.com… Read more
The great skier Al Vincellette, winner of multiple titles, won the National Nordic Combined Championship on Feb 8th 1960 and went on to represent the US in the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley. Al competed for the US in both nordic events and ski jumping which would be unheard of these days. We are so fortunate that the family of Al donated his Olympic jumping skis which will be on display for everyone to enjoy shortly. The skis are made of wood and, unbelievable for that time, had plastic molded bottoms and stand over 7 feet tall. There are no metal edges, as with ski jumping there is no turning, and therefore, no wear on the sides. Thank you so much Laura (Vincelette) Brewer, Al Vincelette, and Linda Vincelette
Sehidoglu and their families at present! ~~~~~~~ (You can see David Antonucci’s Tahoe TV interview about the skis and donation under the “Event Video” link on “Events/Press” page)…. Read more
The Batiste and Antonucci families want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We had another wonderful year at the museum with the opening of new displays and multiple parties, gatherings and successful group meetings. We want to reach out and thank everyone for their generous financial donations and the extra generous donations of rare ski history memorabilia we received. All of the items will be put on display shortly. We are looking forward to another great year with even more involvement of the community and more fun! If you are wondering, the picture above is a rare postcard from Tahoe circa 1905 – just more fun!… Read more
The museum recently received a set of rare books donated by Peggy Deen in memory of her father Charles Proctor an early California skiing pioneer. The donation included: “California Winter Sports and the 1960 VIII WinterGames at Squaw Valley” by J. E. (Jerry) Carpenter; ~ “1960 United StatesOlympic Book” Edited by Arthur G. Lentz ; ~ “III Olympic Winter GamesLake Placid 1932” Compiled by George M. Lattimer; and “ A History ofSkiing in California” by J. H. Hildebrand, ~ a 16 page booklet reprinted from the 1939 issue of THE BRITISH SKI YEAR BOOK “Lost Sierra” by William B. Berry . ~~~ The 1932 Winter Olympics book and the History of Skiing in California booklet are in excellent condition and extremely rare. These will be of much use by researchers and enjoyed by museum visitors. Thanks so much Peggy!
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