Herman "Jackrabbit" Smith-Johannsen (1875-1987) was a Norwegian-Canadian who gained widespread recognition for being one of the first people to introduce the sport of cross-country skiing to North America. He attained legendary status in Canada for the many contributions he made to the sport and his personal longevity.

Johannsen was born near Oslo, Norway, and graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Berlin in 1899. He emigrated to America as a machinery salesman shortly thereafter.

While on a trip to sell machinery to the Grand Trunk Railroad in 1902, Johannsen was befriended by the Cree in the wilderness above North Bay, Ontario. The nickname “Jackrabbit” is said to have been given to Johannsen by the Cree, who were impressed by his speed on skis compared to the snowshoes they were using at the time.

Johannsen married Alice Robinson in 1907 and settled permanently in the Laurentians (Laurentides) region of Quebec during the Great Depression. He is credited with building many ski jumps and blazing trails throughout Ontario, the Eastern Townships, and the Laurentians. On December 22nd, 1972 Johannsen was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for “fostering and developing skiing as a recreation and helping and encouraging generations of skiers in Canada.”[[1]]

Jackrabbit died from pneumonia on January 5, 1987 at the age of 111 in a hospital near Tønsberg, Norway.

References

[Cross Country Canada]

Johannsen, Alice E.(1993). ‘’The Legendary Jackrabbit Johannsen’’. McGill-Queen’s University Press. ISBN 0-7735-1151-2

Powell, Brian et al. (1975). ‘’Jackrabbit His First Hundred Years’’. Collier Macmillan Canada, Ltd.