Kiandra snow shoe club

The club was formed in 1861 by three Norwegians, Elias Gottaas, Soren Torp and Carl Bjerknes on the Kiandra Gold Fields, NSW. This original Kiandra ski club is now recognised as the first snow ski club in the world, it also carries the distinction of being the longest continuously operating club. "“The Holmenkollen Ski Museum confirms that the first two ski clubs in the world were formed by Norwegians in 1861, both in Australia and Norway”" Signed by a Director of the Museum 22 June 2006.

The Norwegian club was a combination rifle and ski club. Shooting competitions commenced May 1861, skiing competitions were first held in January 1862.

In 1907 the club held the world’s first documented “International Ski Carnival”, in addition to the International Downhill Race, events included races for boys under eight, ten, eleven and fourteen, boys and girls Open Championships were also conducted. The events concluded with a “New Chum” event and toboggan race. The names of all placegetters are recorded.

From the mid 1880’s and for the following twenty years, the ladies’ downhill events were principally dominated by Margaret and Mary Yan, the daughters of a Chinese man from the mountains of China and a lady from the Bavarian mountains in Germany.

In 1898 Messrs. C A Falstadt (Consul General for Norway and Sweden), and Andrew (Banjo) Paterson were elected as Vice Presidents.

The club is today known as the Kiandra Pioneer Ski Club and is located in Perisher Valley, NSW.“

The above details have been taken from the club’s official historical publication “Kiandra – Gold Fields to Ski Fields” by the book’s author - Norman W Clarke. Ref.ISBN 0-646-46337-3