Ski Tales : The History of China Peak and Sierra Summit

by Unknown

• ISBN13: 9781884995668
• ISBN10: 1884995667
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2009-11-01
• Publisher: Craven Street Books

Summary

Written by an old timer who has been schussing the nooks and the crannies, the steeps and the deeps, for 50 years,Ski Tales: The History of China Peak and Sierra Summitreveals the unique, dramatic, and often humorous history of Central California's premiere ski location, Sierra Summit, from its beginning as China Peak to the present day. Taking an affectionate, but realistic, view of the ski resort that has been the center of his life for so many years, Benelli tells the true history of Sierra Summit, its successes and shortcomings, and the interesting folks who nurtured the resort to what it is today. Along the way,Ski Talesprovides a fascinating first-hand look at how the sport of skiing has developed in the last 50 years, as new ski technology, business pressures, and a changing society transformed a once rustic mom-and-pop ski resort to an international sports destination. Illustrated with dozens of vintage and new photos of colorful personalities and breathtaking snowscapes,Ski Taleswill take you on a nostalgic journey through decades of perfect snow, sunny days, fun, and friendship.

Author Biography

James Benelli is a long-time resident of Shaver Lake and has been skiing Sierra Summit since 1960. He has been a part-time ski instructor, ski patroller, and bartender, all in an effort to be part of the ski area he loves. An avid outdoorsman and expert skier, Jim has skied resorts throughout the western United States, Canada and Europe; but his heart remains with Sierra Summit.

Table of Contents

An Overview	p. 1
The First Days	p. 7
Mammoth Mountain	p. 7
Badger Pass	p. 9
China Peak: The Beginning	p. 13
A Problem of Money	p. 25
Skiing Into the. Sixties	p. 28
The Weirick Years	p. 33
The Start of a New Resort	p. 37
Rebuilding China Peak	p. 39
Winter, 1966	p. 45
January, 1969	p. 48
Skiing into the Seventies	p. 51
The Beginning of Snowmaking	p. 54
The End of the Weirick Chapter	p. 55
The Bagdasarian-Harris Era	p. 57
New Owners, New Name	p. 61
Snow Summit	p. 62
The End of China Peak	p. 63
Summer, 1982	p. 66
Summer, 1983	p. 71
Ski Season, 1983-1984	p. 72
Summer, 1984	p. 72
Ski Season, 1984-1985	p. 76
Summer, 1985	p. 77
Ski Season, 1985-1986	p. 77
Summer, 1986	p. 78
Ski Season, 1986-1987	p. 79
Summer, 1987	p. 80
Ski Season, 1987-1988	p. 82
Summer, 1988	p. 83
Ski Season, 1988-1989	p. 84
Summer, 1989	p. 84
Ski Season, 1989-1990	p. 85
Summer, 1990	p. 85
Ski Season, 1990-1991	p. 86
Summer, 1991	p. 88
Ski Season, 1991-1992	p. 88
Summer, 1992	p. 88
Ski-Season, 1992-1993	p. 89
Summer, 1993	p. 89
Ski Season, 1993-1994	p. 90
Summer, 1994	p. 90
Ski Season, 1994-1995	p. 90
Summer, 1995	p. 91
Old Chairs, New Chairs	p. 93
Ski Season, 1995-1996	p. 95
Summer, 1996	p. 96
Ski Season, 1996-1997	p. 96
Summer, 1997	p. 97
Ski Season, 1997-1998	p. 97
Summer, 1998	p. 98
Ski Season, 1998-1999	p. 99
Summer, 1999	p. 99
Ski Season, 1999-2000	p. 101
Summer, 2000	p. 103
Ski Season, 2000-2001	p. 103
Summer, 2001	p. 104
Ski Season, 2001-2002	p. 105
Summer, 2002	p. 106
Ski Season, 2002-2003	p. 106
Summer, 2003	p. 107
Ski Season, 2003-2004	p. 107
Summer, 2004	p. 108
Ski Season, 2004-2005	p. 109
Summer, 2005	p. 110
Ski Season, 2005-2006	p. 110
Ski Season, 2006-2007	p. 111
Summer, 2007	p. 112
Ski Season, 2007-2008	p. 112
The People Who Make Sierra Summit	p. 115
The Sierra Summit Ski Patrol	p. 115
Michael Nolen	p. 124
Rich Bailey	p. 125
What Makes Snow?	p. 128
Sierra Summit Ski School	p. 131
Phil Kerridge	p. 136
The Fresno Ski Club	p. 138
We're a Ski Club—Plus a Whole Lot More!	p. 139
The Estonians	p. 141
Otto Tamm	p. 144
Jack Pieroni	p. 149
The Faithful Employees	p. 153
Brian Bressel	p. 153
Paul Gray, Director of Maintenance Jennifer Gray, Ski School Director	p. 154
Boomer Devours	p. 157
Chuck Dodds	p. 158
Bruce and Steve Gillett	p. 158
Jack Pieroni	p. 156
Looking Forward and Backward	p. 161
The Past	p. 162
Credits	p. 165
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.