Pioneer Ski Areas of America, Johnsville!

Pioneer Ski Areas of America, Johnsville
Landmark #723 Plumas County Visited: May 11, 2012 Plaque?  YES! 🙂
What is it? A plaque outside the Plumas-Eureka museum!
What makes it historical? THE GUIDE SAYS: The first sport ski area in the western hemisphere was in the Sierra Nevada, and by 1860 races were being held in the Plumas-Sierra region. The mining towns of Whiskey Diggings, Poker Flat, Port Wine, Onion Valley, La Porte, Jamison City, and Johnsville organized the earliest ski clubs and annual competitions.

OTHER TIDBITS: Skiing in this area was originally called longboarding, and these longboards were 12 feet long and weighed 20 pounds! After taking a lift uphill on an ore cart, boarders would blaze downhill, reaching speeds of up to 80 miles per hour! The only way they could brake was with a single pole held between their legs. That’s one risky sport!

How can I Help the Helpers? HERE’S HOW:

  • Become a member of the Plumas County Museum Association!
  • Become a member of the Plumas Ski Club!
  • Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
Where is this place? LISTED DIRECTIONS:
In front of Museum at Plumas-Eureka State Park
From Hwy 70 go S on State Hwy 89, then W on County Road A14, 5 mi SW of Blairsden

ANNOTATIONS:
The museum/visitor center is about 500 feet west of the intersection of Johnsville Road and Johnsville-McCrea Road, Johnsville, CA 96103

From Los Angeles: ~532mi (857km) — 8.9hrs
From Sacramento: ~143mi (231km) — 2.4hrs
From San Diego: ~619mi (997km) — 10.4hrs
From San Francisco: ~238mi (384km) — 4hrs

When should I go? Whenever the mood strikes you!

Pioneer Ski Areas of America, Johnsville

Click here to see more California historical landmarks!

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