The Lost Sierra Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl
Come enjoy downhill skiing at the oldest known ski area in the Sierra Nevadas and the western Hemisphere. Where pioneers raced and competed for purses as grand as $500 to $1,000 in the 1860s.
Longboard Revival Races - Eureka State Park
Hundreds of people and skiers gather just like the original pioneers every winter to enjoy downhill skiing and dope (ski grease) like the pioneers of yesteryear.
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Skis are from 14 to 16 feet in length. A pole is used to start the race and used to stop the skiers by sitting on it.
Historic Revival Races are held the 3rd Sunday of January, February and March with the March event crowing the annual winner.
Some longboarders are descendents of original longboarder from those good old 1850s days.
Old Timers Call The Races
The mayor is announcing the start of races and its outcome.
Pioneers would race 2,600 feet in just 17 seconds reaching speeds of 88 miles per hour.
Norway Skates also know as longboards were introduced into the Lost Sierras to deliver mail, medical supplies and packages from Placerville, CA to Genoa, NV and from La Porte to Sierra City and Downieville.
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Longboards were greased with Dope recipes.
Longboard racers depended upon their Dope Makers to make waxes that won the races of the day. Racers split their winning with their Dope Makers.
Longboards are made today and classes at the Feather River College keep the history alive for new generations.