From 1856 to 1876 Snowshoe Thompson made 90 mile ski treks over snowdrifts up to 50 feet high through blizzards with 80 mph winds, to deliver mail between California and Nevada over the Sierra Nevada.

Try longboards and learn about our legendary mountain man at the Annual Snowshoe Thompson Tour in March at Hope Valley.

John, aka, Snowshoe, is one of the most intriguing heroes of California’s history. Made of oak, his skis were over 10 feet long, and weighed about twenty-five pounds. His mail pack often weighed in at 100 lbs. The Genoa postmaster S.A.Kinsey said: “Most remarkable man I ever knew, that Snowshoe Thompson. He must be made of iron. Besides, he never thinks of himself, but he’d give his last breath for anyone else – even a total stranger.”

The few times Thompson had thought of putting an end to his legendary Snowshoe Express, he continued just for the look on the faces of the people living in isolation.

This is the annual benefit by the Friends of Snowshoe Thompson to promote the history and maintain the statue of Snowshoe Thompson in Genoa, Nevada.

For dates, contact Nina (530) 573–8940 or Sue (775) 315–7777

The Friends of Snowshoe Thompson:

The magnificent statue of John “Snowshoe” Thompson, which stands in the grounds of the Mormon Station State Park in Genoa, Nevada, was dedicated on June 23, 2001. This statue was made possible with funds raised by the Snowshoe Thompson Committee of the Greater Genoa Business Association. On October 6, 2003, a new nonprofit organization was formed called “Friends of Snowshoe Thompson”.

The purpose of this organization is “To promote and foster the memory of John “Snowshoe” Thompson through events and activities, and to maintain the statue and planter in the Mormon Station State Park.

The mission is “To honor the memory of Snowshoe Thompson in many ways, including promotion of international cooperation between Norwegian and American communities; promotion of connections between American Lutheran Churches and Scandinavian Lutheran Churches; encourage education in the schools about Norwegians in America; hold events supporting these ideals.”