The roots of California ski culture run deep in the Truckee-Tahoe region, home to the birthplace of downhill ski racing, California’s first chair lift, and the site of the 1960 Olympics! From the 1800s to today, deep snow and incredible winter terrain continue to attract skiers and riders from around the world.

The Lost Sierra: Birthplace of Downhill Ski Racing

Downhill ski racing in the western hemisphere got its start in the rugged mountains of the Lost Sierra when “longboard” skis were introduced to gold miners in the 1850s. The enormous skis, measuring eight to 15 feet long, were originally used in the Telemark region of Norway as a way to get around in deep snow.

It didn’t take long before miners pointed the skis downhill and started racing each other down the open slopes that had been cleared of trees for mining operations. The thrill of downhill racing caught on, and in 1961 the first organized ski club races were held. In 1867, the world’s first champion speed skier clocked in at 88 miles per hour on 12 foot wooden skis!

Today, longboard ski racing is kept alive by the Plumas Ski Club which promotes community ski activities through historical re-enactments of 1860's era ski racing in the Lost Sierra at the Johnsonville Historic Ski Bowl.

Early California Ski Areas

Cottonwood Restaurant, a premier spot for mountain cuisine in Truckee, is known for incredible views of Historic Downtown from its hilltop deck. Back at the turn of the century, this was the site of a small ski area with several rope tows and a Poma lift rising 700 vertical feet. Charles F. McGlashan, the owner and one of Truckee’s most prominent citizens, spearheaded the creation of a Winter Carnival with ice skating, sleigh rides, skiing, ski jumping, and tobogganing, putting Truckee on the map at a winter destination.

Years later, Sugar Bowl Resort opened in 1939, with the help of a $2500 investment from Walt Disney. It opened with the Disney lift, the first chairlift in California - 3,200 feet long, with a 1,000-foot vertical rise, 13 steel towers and terminals that could be raised as needed to compensate for the snow depth. The cost was $0.25 for a ride up or $2.00 if you wanted to ski down.

Later that season in 1940, the inaugural Silver Belt race was held, one of the most challenging ski events before the international World Cup ski competition, attracting top European and American skiers.

Keep Reading: Rise of the lift: The story of California’s first chairlift, Tahoe Daily Tribune

1960 Olympic Winter Games

When Palisades Tahoe opened in 1949, it had one chairlift (the world’s largest double chairlift) and two rope tows. Despite this, it was selected as the host of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games, a decision that would transform the resort and Truckee-Tahoe region with infrastructure and commerce.

Following the Olympics, Alpine Meadows opened in 1961. Then 50 years later, it joined Palisades Tahoe in 2011, giving the two resorts a collective 6,000 skiable acres on a single lift ticket. Learn more about the 1960 Olympics by visiting the Olympic Museum at High Camp.

Through outreach to Native American groups, including the local Washoe Tribe, and the local and extended community, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has decided it is time to drop the derogatory and offensive term “squaw” from the destination’s name. Learn more.

Skiing and Riding

Truckee-Tahoe is a mecca for skiing and riding. There are over seven ski resorts within a 15-45 minute drive of Truckee and world-class nordic areas, including the largest cross country ski area in North America. 500 inches of annual snowfall along the Sierra Crest combined with sunny California weather make Truckee-Tahoe the ultimate winter ski destination for sun and snow!

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