Helping The Historic Johnsville Ski Hill

The Lost Sierra Hoedown Camping & Music Festival was held over four days in late September, 2017. This annual event takes place at the Johnsville Ski Hill in Plumas Eureka State Park. This activity helps raise funds for the restoration and maintenance of the hill, as there is little or no state funding to do so. In case you are not aware, that area is believed to be the birthplace of ski racing in America, over 150 years ago. The gold miners started winter snow racing on "longboard" wooden skis, reaching speeds of up to 80 mph. 

The non-profit Plumas Ski Club is leading the effort to keep the Ski Hill going, and this is one of the ways they raise funds. Ski Club President Don Fregulia of Johnsville works as the Fire Management Officer for the USFS Plumas National Forest. According to Don, they are currently hoping to be able to rehabilitate the public rest rooms outside the old Intorf Ski Lodge on the hill, and also to eventually obtain their own generator for power for the building. Right now they must borrow a generator for each event, providing power for water pumping for the rest rooms and service needs.

California State Park officials require EMS coverage be provided for each large public event. Plumas Eureka FD Assistant Fire Chief Bill Robinson coordinates volunteer EMS providers from local FD's, and PEFD loans medical response equipment and supplies. Paying for these services would eat into the fund raising, and we are thankful to have had enough volunteers to provide coverage for large events over the last five years. This year coverage was provided for three Historic Longboards Ski Races, several Sledding Days, and the Lost Sierra Hoedown. All went well, with only minor injuries. Volunteers for these events have so far come from the Plumas Eureka, Graeagle, Quincy, Long Valley, Greenhorn Creek, and Eastern Plumas Rural fire departments.

One of the music groups pictured on "stage", really the deck of the Intorf Lodge, performing for the crowd on a warm Saturday afternoon.

Plumas Eureka Asst. Fire Chief Bill Robinson coordinates the volunteer EMS coverage, pictured here with Quincy firefighters Angela Hauner (center), and Joanne Burgueno during the event.