Truckee Donner Historical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 893, Truckee, CA. 96160 (530) 582-0893

HILLTOP WINTER SPORTS AREA HISTORY

The Winter sports industry in California and much of the Western United States got its start in Truckee. The area now known as Hilltop and the adjacent slopes and hills is the birthplace of many winter sports activities. The area includes both the slope below Hilltop which was the toboggan and jump slope and above Hilltop which was a toboggan and pioneer downhill ski run. It went by many different names. Here is a brief history of the Winter Sports at Hilltop.

Sources:  Truckee Republican, Reno Evening Gazette, Nevada State Journal 

Late 1860s:   The area is logged off by George Schaffer.

1880:   The first mention of snowshoers on the hill, across the river, was mentioned in the newspaper, although both the upper and lower hill had been in use for cross country skiing since the founding of Truckee. Coasting on sleds was popular with the young and occurred on the both upper and lower hills. 

1895 to 1897:  The Great Truckee Ice Carnival is held with cross country and short distance ski jumping being on the both hills. Charles McGlashan and Stewart McKay were the leaders of the community effort.

1893 to 1900:  The Burckhalter family’s Pacific Wood & Lumber Company operated a narrow gauge railroad through Hilltop to haul logs from Martis Creek for the Truckee Lumber Company which maintained an engine house on the eastern side of Hilltop.

1909:   The Great Truckee Winter Carnival, ran by a community organization, was held with all sports activities held at “Snow Peak” as it was then called. The Norwegian Chlepp Brothers gave ski jumping exhibitions and taught local young men the sport of jumping, and also formed the Sierra Ski Club. Tobogganing was the most popular sport on both hills, and thousands participated. The Southern Pacific Railroad ran the first of many years of excursion trains. Cross country skiing was in its infancy. Charles McGlashan organized, promoted, and managed the event.

1910:   Two more successful Winter Carnivals are held centered at “South Hill: as it is called in this year. The land is leased from the Truckee Lumber Co by the Carnival Company. In the fall a steam powered toboggan lift was built by J. Kirchner on the upper hill, and a 950' long toboggan run was cleared and built.   It ended about where the bottom of the ski run is now. This lift is generally believed to be the first mechanical lift in Winter Sports in the West and possibly the U.S. The old railroad engine house was put to use as a warming hut and dance hall. Stewart McKay was one of the Community leaders. It led to a new commercial era in Truckee.

1911:   An average of 250 people attend “Winter Sports at South Hill” each weekend.

1912:   The Truckee Chamber of Commerce takes over the Winter Carnival operations.

1913:   Over 700 attend each weekend’s Winter Carnival.  Swiss guide Emile De Choudens begins   ski lessons on the upper hill. A new 500' long toboggan lift is built from the lower hill to the top of the upper hill.   A 3/4 mile toboggan run is built, and a new wooden Ice Palace is constructed for ice skating at the bottom of the lift.

1914:   The “Fiesta of The Snows” is held and is a great success, attracting Hollywood to film snow sports and winter scenery in Truckee.   This would lead to Truckee becoming the Winter Film Mecca of the West through the late 1930’s. Wally Gelatt takes over management of the Winter Carnival Company.  The Truckee Ski Club is formed to hold jumping and cross country races and events and it is the first of its kind on the west coast.  This leads to other ski clubs being formed all over the west.

1915:   Over 500 attend Winter Carnival each weekend. The Ice Palace burns down and is not replaced. Gelatt continues to manage the Winter Carnival very successfully.  The Southern Pacific Railroad starts funding much of the publicity and running regular Sunday excursions to Truckee.

1920:   Wilbur Maynard, of the Southern Pacific Hotel, gets involved in the Winter Sports Snow Carnival.  An average weekend sees 800 visitors. Filming of snow scenes in the Truckee area bring hundreds of cast & crew to Truckee.

1922:   Truckee, an old pioneer town, is now famous as a winter recreation resort, all of it centered on the Winter Sports Hill as it was now called. Wally Gelatt and Wilbur Maynard continue the management and promotion. While Prohibition of alcohol dried up the rest of California, Truckee’s wide open sales of alcohol attracted a fun loving party crowd.

1926:   The Tahoe Tavern sponsors the construction of a toboggan run and starts winter sports activities, competing with Truckee.

1928:   1000 visitors attend most weekends. Pullman railroad cars are parked in the Truckee yards for the visitors. Improvements in downhill ski equipment opened up the sport to more people, much of that occurring at South Hill. Wooden jump ramps are built at various points. The Sierra Dog Derby Association is formed and takes over the Winter Sports operation.

1929:   The Pavilion opens.  Building began late in 1928, and the upper hill is now called Pavilion Hill. Both hills are still in use for tobogganing, although the sport of skiing is increasing. Wilbur Maynard interests the Auburn Ski Club in Winter Carnival.

1930:   The Sierra Dog Derby Association returns the Winter Sports to Tim O’Hanrahan for use by the Truckee Ski Club & Chamber of Commerce. 140’ tall ski jump scaffolding is constructed under the direction of professional jumper Lars Haugen by Jack Wolert. Jess Maxsom, Pete Passinetti, Johnny Rablin, Earl McKay, Orland Sanders, and Bud Owens are among several dozen Truckee jumpers who gained state recognition.   The California Ski Association is formed, with Wilbur Maynard & Cecil Edmunds representing Truckee.

1931:   Copying Truckee, the Auburn Ski Club builds a jump hill at Cisco. Tahoe City holds Olympic tryouts at California State Meet, also awarded 1932 National Ski Championships. 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympics spur great interest in downhill skiing at Truckee Winter Sports Park. Tim O’Hanrahan & Cecil Edmunds assist in the formation of the Reno Ski Club.

1932:   Earl Edmunds is the State Ski Jump champion. California starts plowing snow on U.S. 40 over Donner Pass, opening the way for more people to attend Truckee Winter Sports.

1935:   3000 visitors attend the American Legion Snow Frolic at the Winter Sports Park. The first injury lawsuit against the Truckee Ski Club and Cecil Edmunds is filed. The Truckee Chamber of Commerce forms the Truckee Outing Club to take over management of the Winter Sports operations and other civic events. C.B. White, Jim McIver Jr., Judge C.E. Smith, William Englehart, and Cecil Edmunds lead the Club.

1936:   The Truckee Donner PUD, using federal depression relief funding, builds an ice pond at the bottom of the lower hill. PUD manager, Cecil Edmunds, continues to run the activities. Truckee ski jumpers include Tony Besio, Bud Campbell, Frank Titus, and Bob Bowers. Professional jumpers Sig Ulland, and Roy Mikkleson, who have long competed against each other, boost Truckee Winter Sports.

1938:   With U.S. 40 open, lodges are beginning to open on Donner Summit, and Johnny Ellis builds the first rope tow near Lake Mary.

1940:   Dan Smith clears the upper portion of the upper hill with a Nevada County bulldozer. The Outing Club completes the installation of the first rope tow up Pinnacle Point as top of the hill is now called. Downhill skiing has now become the biggest participant sport. The toboggan lift and slide are no longer in use.

1943:   With most of Truckee’s young men at war, the Truckee Outing Club is broke and the Truckee PUD takes over the Winter Sports Park and operations.

1945:   C.F. Tollefson buys Winter Sports Park, builds a dormitory and converts the Pavilion to a restaurant.

1946:   The Crandell Brothers buy the property and call the resort Hilltop.  They open a ski shop and add a second rope tow on the lower portion of the ski run.

1949:   Truckee jumpers include Herb Copeland, Bill Campbell, and Frank Titus.

1950:   The ski jump scaffolding is torn down.

1959:   The Truckee PUD takes back the Hilltop property briefly, before selling it to Harry Herzog who installs a poma lift.