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Ski LIft Engineer Visits Johnsville Ski Bowl

May18
2012 Leave a Comment Written by admin

Michael Stephenson, Tramway Engineer. Setting stake for lift terminal at the Ski Bowl!

As the days grow longer and the winter snows melt, the activity at the Historic Johnsville Ski Bowl is picking up speed. Last Thursday, the newly hired lift engineer, Michael Stephenson along with Miro Pokorny, President of Mountain Pride Construction, Alfred Strolz, on-site electrician for Squaw Valley and Ed Thompson, chairlift electrician were on hand with members of the ski hill committee to begin preliminary layout for the new chairlift. Michael Stephenson is a Tramway Engineer who has overseen the design and construction of over 100 new installations or major modifications of detachable and fixed grip chairlifts and other custom tramways in the U.S., Canada and Japan. Miro Pokorny is an accomplished lift contractor whose portfolio includes chairlift installations at Sugarbowl, Northstar, and Kirkwood, as well as “Flightline” at San Diego Wild Animal Park –the longest zipline in the continental United States.

The day began early with a meeting of the engineers over coffee at the Chalet View Lodge, followed by an inspection of the lift equipment in storage in Graeagle. Following the inspection, the group arrived at the ski bowl to begin the process of evaluating power options and potential lift locations. “I can’t express how incredibly lucky we are to have this level of talent and experience involved in moving this project forward.” said Dan Gallagher, Eastern Plumas Recreation District board member.

One of the main goals for the day was completing a profile survey from the top of the ski hill to the bottom. The profile is the first step in selecting the tower locations, the top unloading terminal and the bottom loading terminal locations. As straight forward as that sounds, the engineers explained that there are many important considerations to take into account in the effort to maximize the Ski Johnsville experience. One example is how to give the Bowl’s future visitors easier access and return from the “Back Trails” area. Another example is the possible location of a future terrain park. The group relayed that they had a fun and productive day on the mountain, while moving the plans for re-opening the Historic Johnsville Bowl forward. Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Pokorny both expressed a sense of awe at the spectacular view of the Mohawk Valley and surrounding mountain ranges from the top of the ski hill. “The hill is steeper than I first realized,” said Stephenson.

As soon as the Ski Bowl’s business and operations plan is finalized and officially approved, the EPRD Ski Johnsville Committee is planning on organizing the first work-day on the hill. “Several projects are on the agenda and community assistance is always welcome,” said Tom Connelly, local engineer and longtime Johnsville advocate. One of the first projects in the works is the removal of scrap metal to a recycler in Reno and another is the refurbishing and/or rebuilding of the historic warming hut. The EPRD Board is hoping an individual or local group might enjoy taking on this challenge. The old warming hut dates back to the first days of the ski hill’s operation.

Posted in The Project

2012 SnowBall Exceeds Expectations

Mar07
2012 Leave a Comment Written by admin

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!”

Posted in The Project

Ski Johnsville Journal 2nd Edition

Feb23
2012 Leave a Comment Written by admin

Five local chefs met at Nakoma Golf Resort to plan and prepare for the SnowBall 2012 fundraising event.

As we look forward to the upcoming SnowBall and the Longboard Races, let’s take moment to look back at the history of our community and club ski hills in Northeastern California, including Johnsville.

Over the past fifty years, many small to very small downhill ski slopes have dotted our region, they include, Cedar Pass near Alturas, Stover Mountain in Chester, Coppervale neat Westwood and the Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl above Johnsville. Still others, like ones on Yuba Pass, that required skiers to walk in, half a mile or so, are long gone. Exploring each provides a glimpse of skiing in a different era, when rope tows and surface poma lifts, small old style ski lodges were much more common.

While each has it’s own character, charm and history, they are all family friendly and definitely well worth a visit as soon as the snow flies.

The Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl has it’s own bits of unique history that may not be well known. For example, did you know that the original site for the ski bowl was located on Mount Washington? The location on Mount Washington was re-evaluated due to avalanches. How about more recent history? Rob Russell of the Plumas Ski Club was featured on California Gold a few years back, giving demonstrations of longboard racing in Johnsville and it’s origins.

Finally, how many people know that the initial access vehicle for the Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl was a decommissioned military half track? One can only imagine the adventure of being towed from the town of Johnsville to the old ski hill warming hut to begin a day of skiing. The history of that old half track, now retired and rusting west of Quincy near Gopher Hill, could be a story in and of itself.

We owe a debt of gratitude to those dedicated community members who first envisioned a ski bowl near Johnsville over fifty years ago and had the fortitude to make the vision a reality. Our goal is to build upon their foundation and continue the dream of a community ski hill with a few more modern conveniences.

Let’s get together on the 25 February 2012 and celebrate the beginning of a new era for the Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl and the Ski Johnsville Project. In preparation for the big event, Ben Sylvia of Nakoma Golf Resort is coordinating a wonderful group of local chefs donating their time and talents to the cause.

The music will be by Cool Black Kettle, from South Lake Tahoe and is best described as grass roots Americana groove music. Check out their web site, www.coolblackkettle.com, for additional information, but definitely plan to join us for an awesome evening.

Posted in The Project

Ski Johnsville Journal 1st Edition

Feb05
2012 1 Comment Written by admin

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!

Posted in The Project

The Johnny Redstreak SnowBall 2012

Dec19
2011 2 Comments Written by admin

Join us Saturday, February 25, 2012, 7 pm at Nakoma Golf Resort. Tickets $25 per person

The Eastern Plumas Recreation District (EPRD) and the Plumas Ski Club cordially invite you to participate in the success of the 19th annual Johnny Redstreake SnowBall, once again honoring storied Johnsville native and undefeated Longboard champion Johnny Redstreake (1911-1981) on February 25, 2012 at the Nakoma Golf Resort in Gold Mountain just above Portola and Graeagle, California.

SnowBall 2012 is a joint fundraising effort of EPRD and Plumas Ski Club supporting the revival of the new and improved Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl and the historic Longboard events. Nakoma Golf Resort has donated the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed clubhouse for the event, which will feature live entertainment by Cool Black Kettle (a popular contemporary and classic rock band out of South Lake Tahoe) great grub and libations, no-host bar, kegs of beer from local breweries, live and silent auction, raffles and much more.

EPRD is in the process of updating the facilities at Johnsville in anticipation of the Bowl’s grand reopening in 2012. We have a 10-year operating agreement with the State Park, have purchased Squaw Valley’s Main Line chairlift and two surface lifts for tubing and beginner skiing. The support we have received so far has been fantastic, but we need more help. Buy tickets to the SnowBall or donate here.

Once reopened, Johnsville Bowl will be an economic, recreational and cultural treasure for Plumas County. Enhanced winter recreation will keep the lights on many of our businesses and vacation homes throughout the year giving our local economy the boost it so badly needs. The Ski Bowl will provide a positive and healthy recreational resource to our local youth, strengthening our community by encouraging young families to build their lives here. The Longboard events celebrate our colorful history and preserve the rugged character and reverence of history that is uniquely Plumas County.

We are asking individuals and businesses to lend a hand once again by offering a generous donation of goods and/or services for auction. Tax-deductible donations will go directly to the effort of updating and reopening the Johnsville Historic Ski bowl with a portion of the proceeds going to Plumas Ski Club to continue the historic Longboard events. Donations can be any valued service such as, haircuts, massages, lodging (at vacation homes, time shares), professional and contractor services. A gift of tangible items are also encouraged such as, meals at a restaurant, gift cards, merchandise and collectibles. In addition to a tax-deduction, business donors will receive marketing exposure a the SnowBall event, here on our skijohnsville.com website and in future publications.

Please also consider purchasing tickets in advance for you, your family and/or staff. Cost per ticket is only $25, which includes all the great grub you can eat from local area restaurants, a live band, the excitement of a live auction and great values on merchandise and services.

Sincerely,

Robert Murray, Board President, EPRD

Posted in The Project - Tagged Cool Black Kettle, Eastern Plumas Recreation District, Frank Lloyd Wright, Graeagle, Johnny Redstreake, Johnsville, Johnsville Historic Ski bowl, Longboard Races, Longboards, Nakoma Golf Resort, Plumas County, Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl, Plumas Ski Club, Portola, Skiing, Snow Tubing, Squaw Valley Ski Resort

Dear Johnsville Ski Hill Supporter

Jun26
2011 3 Comments Written by admin

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.

Posted in The Project