Mike Callahan, Mike Kelly (with his handmade Longboard skis that were auctioned for $1200), Chris Murray, Willard Rogers (tall gentleman in the back from Oklahoma), Willa Huston (Willard's aunt), with more of Willard's family members.

The Ski Johnsville Project committee had their wrap-up meeting last Wednesday night to tie-up the loose ends from the 2012 Johnny Redstreake SnowBall Event held on Saturday, February 25th at Nakoma Golf Resort, and to give each other a well deserved pat on the back. The rough count on money earned from ticket sales, silent and live auction, raffle ticket sales, and the bar tab brought the total tally to just over $20,000 before expenses. “Fortunately, expenses were kept quite low due to the generous donations of businesses and individuals throughout California and Nevada,” said Debra Deming, marketing specialist and committee member. “You’ll have to check our website for the very long list of supporters who were so instrumental in making this event the incredible success that it was.”

321 tickets were sold for the event and with the volunteers and staff on-hand, committee members estimate close to 350 people were in attendance. The event drew people from far and wide. There were Plumas County lovers from Reno to the Sacramento area and even a gentleman from Oklahoma whose uncle taught him to ski at Johnsville when he was a child.

The 2012 SnowBall was a joint fundraising effort between Eastern Plumas Recreation District (EPRD) and the Plumas Ski Club. All proceeds are being donated to the Ski Johnsville Fund, a fund established through the Plumas Community Foundation to support the re-opening of the new and improved Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl. The Plumas Community Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity.

EPRD has secured a 10-year operating agreement with Plumas Eureka State Park and is anticipating installing the recently purchased Main Line chairlift from Squaw Valley and two surface lifts for tubing and beginner skiing by the end of this year if all goes as planned. “The next step is to get the project professionally engineered in preparation for the equipment installation,” says Dan Gallagher, EPRD board member. “The support we received from this event provided the seed capital that we needed to move us forward to the next phase of planning and execution.”

The Ski Johnsville Committee members are already discussing the next event to be held this summer up at Johnsville. “We’re keeping the details secret for the moment, but I can tell you it’s going to be one fun outdoor event,” says Mona Bishop, event specialist and committee member. “Stay tuned!”

Main Line Chair in Route to Johnsville

As the first snow flies of the New Year, a 2012 resolution quickly comes to mind: the redevelopment of the Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl and the installation of the recently acquired chair lift from Squaw Valley U.S.A. The Eastern Plumas Recreation District, the Plumas Ski Club and a dedicated group of local residents and businesses ask for your collaboration to make this resolution a reality.

With that in mind, we have initiated the first edition of the Ski Johnsville Journal to keep the community informed and engaged in the progress. Every few weeks we will share a topic of interest regarding the ski bowl with the community. Some topics will be informative in nature, some requesting active support, and still others will request ideas for improvements on the ski hill.

This past July, the idea of successfully disassembling the lift we purchased from Squaw Valley, transporting it, and securing local storage, appeared daunting. However, taking it one step at a time, with a tremendous amount of community assistance, we now have obtained a complete chair lift and two surface lifts, which are just waiting to be installed. The 10-year Operating Agreement with Plumas Eureka State Park fell into place last year as stakeholders came together in a cooperative effort- preparing to make a significant impact with a project that will benefit the entire community in so many ways; it’s hard to name them all here.

Up next is the 19^th Annual Johnny Redsteake SnowBall 2012, this February 25^th at Nakoma Golf Resort. A time to celebrate the accomplishments of many dedicated individuals, organizations and businesses over the last fifteen years and to look ahead to the culmination of those efforts in the months to come.

Between now and then, we are requesting donations of all types; gift certificates for services, lodging, restaurants, or other goods and local crafts. All items large and small will be auctioned during the evening at both a silent auction and a live auction. Prior to the SnowBall, all donated items will be featured on the Ski Johnsville website skijohnsville.com.

The funds raised during the SnowBall will be used for the redevelopment of the Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl and to support the 2012 Historic Longboard races.  Please set the date aside and join us in a fun filled evening of camaraderie, fine food and live music as we set the stage for the redevelopment of our local ski hill.

Tickets for the event are now on-sale online here, Sprouting Roots Health Food Store, Plumas Sierra R.E.C., Chalet View Lodge, Eastern Plumas Chamber of Commerce in Graeagle, Pangaea, Quincy Natural Foods, and Nakoma Golf Resort.

You can also “Like” the Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl on Facebook. Join in the conversation, share memories, and help shape our community. See you at the SnowBall!

Family Fun at its Finest

The Eastern Plumas Recreation District (EPRD) is actively moving forward with the Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl project. This project will revitalize our economy by providing a destination ski area for locals, tourists and those seeking a unique, family-oriented winter recreation experience. The EPRD has taken significant steps forward over the past six months including securing a long-term Operating Agreement with State Parks, securing private funds to purchase the “Main-Line” chairlift from Squaw Valley Ski Corp. EPRD has also made tremendous progress on developing a business plan and an organizational structure for planning, construction and operation of the ski hill.

The EPRD needs your help. Please consider making a pledge of a specific donation amount by contacting any EPRD Board member at 530-412-1455 any amount is appreciated. The EPRD must raise $35,000 before August 2, 2011, to fund the engineering costs for installation of the chair lift. When we exceed this amount, funds will go towards upgrading the bathrooms, water system and the new sledding hill. Please note that 100% of the funds raised will go towards construction of the ski hill facilities and getting this historic destination open to the public once again.

Please help us reach our goals with your pledge of a tax deductible donation. Thank you for taking the time to consider donating to this important community project. It is only through your generosity that Johnsville Ski Hill will open once again to benefit our entire community by providing a year around recreation venue for our residents and visitors while enhancing economic development in the area and improving the quality of our lives here in Plumas County.

We’ve set up this website to keep you updated on our progress and to receive your input. We want to hear from you. Let us know what you think about the project. Post a comment. Give us your thoughts and ideas. We look forward to hearing from you.