Thank you for this report! I used to live close to Yosemite for several decades, visiting the park multiple times a year. I never heard this interesting story. Well done!
In 1988 the Alpine & Nordic events were held at Nakiska & Canmore outside Banff NP. Lake Louise (inside the park) has hosted a lot of World Cups. It's a tricky balance - you definitely do not want an entire modern winter olympics in such a small town.
It wiuld have been interesting for Yosemite to get the games. However, in the long run, it's best they didn't. Imagine if that trend continued to modern times. We'd maybe see the Yellowstone summer games where sprinters try to outrun a mama grizzly. Or maybe even synchronized dying in a hot spring.
I’m glad you are finally getting some attention, the video quality and research has far exceeded your subscriber count. Excited to see new videos soon!
Thanks Zach! I've really enjoyed seeing the channel grow the last few weeks and I'm really excited to keep at this thing. I love sharing these stories with people and it's awesome seeing the responses to them. Thanks for being here!
Odd enough, what is now known as Olympic Valley near Lake Tahoe did host the Winter Olympics in 1960. Though it's about 150 miles up the road from Yosemite, it was relatively close (and in the same set of mountain ranges).
@@NationalParkDiaries I don’t remember where I heard about it - might have been talking to people when hiking there - but at one point Disney tried to build a ski resort in the valley before it was added to the National park. It looks like there’s some mention of it on the Wikipedia page, but I’m sure there are better sources elsewhere: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_King
@@starfilmsanimation Huh, that's interesting. That article says it would have been one of the largest ski resorts in California. Not sure about the logistics/infrastructure of an Olympics, but it definitely seems like that would have become a major winter destination. Either way, glad it got protected instead! Thanks for sharing.
I would not be surprised since Walt Disney served as Chairman of the Pagentry Committee for 1960 Winter Olympic in Squaw now Olympic Valley. He put on the opening and closing ceremonies.
came here from Reddit, this was really interesting thanks. Glad it didn't take place, Yosemite is a magic place and I feel like the development from the games (both at the time and in its legacy) would have encroached too much on the park.
For sure. When I first learned about the Yosemite Olympics, my first thought was about how they would have impacted the park. Even though it was a smaller affair back then, hosting an event like the Olympics just isn't compatible with a place like Yosemite (or other National Parks). Just speaks to a different time back then...
Well I am glad it didn’t get them, they would have been ruined in two weeks. I adore the Olympics too. In 2002, I sat on my front porch and saw the fireworks from the opening and closing ceremonies, and went to many events throughout salt lake valley. It was awesome! Thank you
👍 Winter games need a decent sized hub city for the indoor ice events (hockey, speed skating, figure skating) ... Look at the speed skating world records (long track) nearly all set at Calgary or Utah ovals, elevation and fast ice.
Hear me out Next time we see a global pandemic and all the countries are on lockdown we host a full outdoor winter Olympics event in a national park, structure specific events like bobsled could be hosted outside of the park in a nearby city while events such as skiing and snowboarding could be hosted on backcountry slopes and ice specific events could be hosted on frozen water. Families only to keep the attendance low.
Thank you for this report! I used to live close to Yosemite for several decades, visiting the park multiple times a year. I never heard this interesting story. Well done!
Glad to help spread the word! Thanks for watching!
I find it funny that Lake Placid won it, given that it’s *also* a protected park, just on a state level (Adirondack park) instead of a National Park
In 1988 the Alpine & Nordic events were held at Nakiska & Canmore outside Banff NP. Lake Louise (inside the park) has hosted a lot of World Cups. It's a tricky balance - you definitely do not want an entire modern winter olympics in such a small town.
Didn't know that about Banff, thanks for sharing!
It wiuld have been interesting for Yosemite to get the games. However, in the long run, it's best they didn't. Imagine if that trend continued to modern times. We'd maybe see the Yellowstone summer games where sprinters try to outrun a mama grizzly. Or maybe even synchronized dying in a hot spring.
Haha, yes. I think it was for the best they didn't host. Still an interesting piece of park history at least!
Ski jhoring still takes place at Leadville Colorado most every year.
That sport is wild!
Keep it up, I've watched a few vids and just subscribed! Amazing content and great delivery.
Thanks so much Michael! Glad you're enjoying everything and thanks for supporting the channel!
An interesting story, I enjoyed it. I am, however, glad Yosemite did not get the Olympics.
Same here pretty much. An interesting piece of history nonetheless!
I’m glad you are finally getting some attention, the video quality and research has far exceeded your subscriber count. Excited to see new videos soon!
Thanks Zach! I've really enjoyed seeing the channel grow the last few weeks and I'm really excited to keep at this thing. I love sharing these stories with people and it's awesome seeing the responses to them. Thanks for being here!
This was a great informative video, I was so surprised this video had so little views!
Death Valley should at least host the summer olympics marathon. If you don't melt, you get a medal.
Looks like nobody is getting a medal lol
Odd enough, what is now known as Olympic Valley near Lake Tahoe did host the Winter Olympics in 1960. Though it's about 150 miles up the road from Yosemite, it was relatively close (and in the same set of mountain ranges).
For the Men's Ski Events, Badger Pass is rather pathetic, mainly a short-drop bunny slope.
I wonder if Sequoia would have tried if Disney got their way with Mineral King
I'm not familiar with that situation. Do you have a good article you'd recommend?
@@NationalParkDiaries I don’t remember where I heard about it - might have been talking to people when hiking there - but at one point Disney tried to build a ski resort in the valley before it was added to the National park. It looks like there’s some mention of it on the Wikipedia page, but I’m sure there are better sources elsewhere: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_King
@@starfilmsanimation Huh, that's interesting. That article says it would have been one of the largest ski resorts in California. Not sure about the logistics/infrastructure of an Olympics, but it definitely seems like that would have become a major winter destination. Either way, glad it got protected instead! Thanks for sharing.
I would not be surprised since Walt Disney served as Chairman of the Pagentry Committee for 1960 Winter Olympic in Squaw now Olympic Valley. He put on the opening and closing ceremonies.
Couldn't get any worse than now in the totally overcrowded valley.
came here from Reddit, this was really interesting thanks. Glad it didn't take place, Yosemite is a magic place and I feel like the development from the games (both at the time and in its legacy) would have encroached too much on the park.
For sure. When I first learned about the Yosemite Olympics, my first thought was about how they would have impacted the park. Even though it was a smaller affair back then, hosting an event like the Olympics just isn't compatible with a place like Yosemite (or other National Parks). Just speaks to a different time back then...
Well I am glad it didn’t get them, they would have been ruined in two weeks. I adore the Olympics too. In 2002, I sat on my front porch and saw the fireworks from the opening and closing ceremonies, and went to many events throughout salt lake valley. It was awesome! Thank you
That sounds like a really cool experience. I've never been in person, but hopefully I can make the 2028 LA Games. Thanks for watching!
👍 Winter games need a decent sized hub city for the indoor ice events (hockey, speed skating, figure skating) ... Look at the speed skating world records (long track) nearly all set at Calgary or Utah ovals, elevation and fast ice.
It’s insane, climate Change has really changed Yosemite. High Sierra Snow is already melting at such a rapid pace
How does this have less than 600 views and only 10 comments?
Because it's a small channel 🤷🏽♂️
Hear me out
Next time we see a global pandemic and all the countries are on lockdown we host a full outdoor winter Olympics event in a national park, structure specific events like bobsled could be hosted outside of the park in a nearby city while events such as skiing and snowboarding could be hosted on backcountry slopes and ice specific events could be hosted on frozen water. Families only to keep the attendance low.