L’Esprit de Jackrabbit

… And his spirit lives on along the ski trails of the Laurentians. The legendary Jackrabbit Johannsen pioneered skiing in North America. Skiing till well into his 90’s, (lived till 112) he became a symbol for wilderness adventure and the excitement of Cross Country skiing.

Who still has Jackrabbit Ski Wax? Last week somebody tried to get me some. Boy, would I be showing off. At the Ski Centre in Morin Heights was the old-timer George, who managed the place. – Sold tickets and rented skis. He fought in WWll – 80’s? Then George’s young friend Rod Caruthers (abt. 40) came in. My interest in Jackrabbit evoked a “Jackrabbit exchange”:

George was there at the Ski Centre one time when Jackrabbit came in. “How did you get here, George?” “I drove my car” At 93 Jackrabbit had hiked up from his home in Piedmont. ( 5 – 6 miles) “Park that car, George, you could live to be old”

Rod was on the Canadian Ski Team and raced many of the Loppets. Jackrabbit was the guest speaker at most of the banquets. This particular time Rod had won the Loppet and sat at the head table beside Jackrabbit. The dinner fare was spaghetti – for all those hungry skiers. Rod put his away in good fashion. When he looked up from his plate he saw that Jackrabbit hadn’t even touched his. “Slow down son – you’ll live to be old.”