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Herman Smith (Jackrabbit) Johannsen, 1875-1987 Cross-country skier - Chronology
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Jackrabbit Johannsen skiing uphill with dog and sled, Lake Placid 1928

Jackrabbit Johannsen skiing uphill with dog and sled, Lake Placid 1928
The Canadian Ski Museum, Ottawa
85-9-1-2

Jackrabbit Johannsen at the summit of Mont Tremblant with his dog Nick, 1935

Jackrabbit Johannsen at the summit of Mont Tremblant with his dog Nick, 1935
Courtesy of McGill University Archives, Box 6,
File 222

1875
Born on June 15 in Norway, where he learns
to love skiing.

1901
Emigrates to the United States, works as a
mechanical engineer, and travels throughout
the United States and Canada.

1907
Marries Alice Robinson, with whom he has three children (Alice, Bob and Peggy).

1922
Settles in Lake Placid, New York, joins the Lake
Placid Club and begins to blaze ski trails.

1928
Moves to Montreal and skis with his family in the Laurentians.

1930
Suffers bankruptcy, moves to the Laurentians
and works full-time as a “ski engineer” to develop
ski trails and infrastructure.

1932
With his son Bob, creates the Maple Leaf Trail.

1938
Is a founding member of the Canadian Ski School Committee.

1967
During Canada’s Centennial, helps bring
attention to cross-country skiing. The Canadian
Ski Marathon is born, and Jackrabbit Johannsen becomes a hero of the sport.

1987
Still an active skier, he dies on January 5 in Norway
at age 111.


Jackrabbit Johannsen, Saint-Sauveur, 1935

Jackrabbit Johannsen,
Saint-Sauveur, 1935

The Canadian Ski Museum, Ottawa,
77.22.1.71

Jackrabbit Johannsen receiving the Order of Canada, 1971

Jackrabbit Johannsen receiving the Order of Canada, 1971
Courtesy McGill University Archives, Box 4, File 12
© John Evans, Ottawa

Ski Train Interior, Canadian Pacific Railway, circa 1930s

Ski Train Interior, Canadian Pacific Railway, circa 1930s
Canadian Pacific Railway Archives
NS7995

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