The Auburn Journal reports that Norm Sayler, who served as president and manager of Donner Ski Ranch for 46 years, was honored on July 5 for his contributions to the community. He received the 2009 Community Person of the Year Award at the annual Donner Summit Area Association Picnic from Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery. Photo is from the story.
A resident of Donner Summit since 1954, Sayler was instrumental in making Donner the first ski resort in America to open its slopes to snow boarders in the 1980s. He turned over operation of the ski area a few years ago but continues with the Donner Summit Historical Society, which he founded. Of note to Lincoln Highway enthusiasts:
In the 1990s when Nevada County slated Rainbow Bridge for demolition, Sayler found $500,000 in state seed money to rehabilitate historic state bridges. This effort also ensured that one of the most historic roads in California, Donner Pass Road (formerly known as Highway 40, the Lincoln Highway, the Victory Highway, and the Dutch Flat-Donner Lake Wagon Road), would be preserved and open for all to use
Tags: award, California, Donner Summit CA, Lincoln Highway, ski history, snowboarding
Lincoln Highway News 
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