Herman Smith-Johannsen

Herman Smith Johannsen — better known in skiing circles as “Jackrabbit Johannsen” — lived a life that can be divided into two distinct 55-year chapters: the first from 1875 to 1930, the second from 1931 until his death at age 111 in January 1987.

As a long-serving technical adviser to the Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA), Johannsen made decades-long contributions to skiing and to tourism across Canada, Quebec’s Laurentians and the eastern United States.

His modest home in Piedmont, Que., was transformed into the Jackrabbit Laurentian Museum, a tribute to a man who lived through 11 decades. Above the door hung a weathered ski — a gift from the Norwegian Ski Museum — similar to those he wore as a boy in Norway in the late 19th century, with toe and heel straps made of twisted willow. It symbolized his lifelong passion for skiing and tireless promotion of the sport.

Starting in the 1930s, Johannsen blazed hundreds of kilometres of cross-country ski trails through rugged Quebec bush to connect isolated communities. He later skied up to 1,800 kilometres per season to maintain them. As his eldest daughter noted: “His trails now serve as the basis of scores of resorts in Canada and the United States that proudly claim a connection with the legendary Jackrabbit.” (Alice E. Johannsen, The Legendary Jackrabbit Johannsen, 1993)

For his 100th birthday in 1974, prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau wrote:

“… for many of us who love the outdoor life, Mr. Johannsen has been both an inspiration and an outstanding example of what a healthy and active life can bring in terms of vigour and well-being. As a pioneer who first introduced Eastern Canada to cross-country skiing, he has benefitted thousands …”

Together with his son Bob, Johannsen created the Maple Leaf Trail, a 128-kilometre route winding through the Laurentians from Labelle to Shawbridge, linking inns for summer and winter use. Johannsen mapped, maintained and built the trail, eventually securing government support.

During the Great Depression, Johannsen earned a modest living advising on ski matters for $10 or working as a guide for tourists. To help support his family, he started a small business manufacturing Jack Rabbit Ski Lacquer on the back veranda of their Montreal apartment. Though not a financial success, it established the “Jackrabbit” name in the ski marketplace.

He was commissioned by the Imperial Tobacco Sales Company to produce a skier’s guide to the Laurentians, which became the popular and authoritative Sweet Caporal Skiers’ Book. Developers seeking his expertise included ski areas in Collingwood, Ont., and Rawdon, Magog and Lac Beauport, Que.

Johannsen’s 100th year featured celebrations across North America, including a gala in New York where he was named “Dubonnet Skier of the Year,” a visit to Sun Valley, Idaho, where he impressed veteran skiers with his skill, and events in Montebello, Que., including the unveiling of a bust by Harold Pfeifer, now on loan to the Canadian Ski Museum in Ottawa.

Timeline

1875–1930 — Career as a professional engineer

• 1875: Born June 5 in Horten, Norway, eldest of nine children. Introduced to skiing at age two.
• 1893: Graduated from military academy; commissioned lieutenant in the Royal Norwegian Army Reserve.
• 1899: Graduated as a mechanical engineer from the University of Berlin.
• 1901–1906: Worked for an engineering firm in Cleveland, Ohio.
• 1907: Married Alice Robinson; moved to Cuba in 1908 following the Spanish-American War business boom.
• 1912–1921: Lived in New York, prospered in business.
• 1922–1927: Opened office in Montreal; commuted to Lake Placid, N.Y., where family lived.
• 1928–1929: Family moved to Montreal. Business faltered with onset of the Great Depression; Johannsen turned to ski guiding and trail work.

1930–1975 — Emergence as a skiing engineer and pioneer

• 1930: Explored Mont Tremblant Park with the Red Birds Ski Club; made first descent of Mont Tremblant and established the first Quebec Kandahar downhill race.
• 1932–1939: Coached Canadian Olympic team at the 1932 Lake Placid Games.
• 1940–1960: Maintained Maple Leaf Trail; skied 1,811 kilometres in a single winter; supervised trail construction for the Whiteface Mountain Authority and the New York State Conservation Association.
• 1945: Smith-Johannsen Wax Company resumed manufacturing after the Second World War.
• 1960: At age 85, guest of honour at Norwegian 100th Anniversary Ski Meet.
• 1967: Completed the 190-kilometre Canadian Ski Marathon at age 92.
• 1968: Awarded honorary LL.D. by Sir George Williams University, Montreal.
• 1972: Received the Medal of St. Olav from King Olav V of Norway.
• 1972: Named a Member of the Order of Canada by governor general Roland Michener.
• 1975: Awarded D.Sc. (honoris causa) from McGill University.
• 1979: Received honorary degree from Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ont.

Note: The information gathered in this biography was compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments. Copyright © Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum. For personal and/or educational use only. All rights reserved.