JOHANNSEN'S LAST CALL, A TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND

When asked what makes Johannsen’s Last Call special, Bill Frazier replied, “We are on the same trails that they were skiing a hundred years ago. It’s kind of timeless.” He continued, “It’s a great tour of what BETA-maintained ski trails have to offer.” Bill is an avid skier and biker, a Nordic ski coach in Lake Placid, a former BETA board member, and one of the early organizers who advocated for purpose-built mountain bike trails in the area. While he clearly loves riding bikes, backcountry skiing is his true passion.

Bill on top of Wright Peak during the JLC

START: Adirondack Loj. FINISH: Cascade Welcome Center.

While many skiers are familiar with the Jackrabbit Trail, it is not the only thing in the Adirondacks named in honor of Herman “Jackrabbit” Johannsen. Johannsen’s Last Call (JLC) is a DIY ski touring challenge that Bill devised during the COVID pandemic as a means to encourage people to get outside in the wild spirit of Johannsen.

It only took an idea (inspired by a regional DIY mountain biking challenge called the Over Easy), a bit of route planning, and a social media presence to get people excited to get out and ski. The route strings together 28+ miles of the same trails that Johannsen braved over a century ago. The same challenge, excitement, and awe Johannsen must have felt as he skied through the snow-cloaked Adirondack wilderness in leather boots and wooden skis can still be felt today by modern adventurers sporting fiberglass and Gore-Tex.

WHAT'S IN A NAME
At the inception of Johannsen’s Last Call, the Cascade Nordic Center at the terminus of the route featured “the coolest old-school ski bar,” Bill recalled, explaining that the space was truly special. An essential aspect of the JLC was to reach Cascade before their literal last call. Johannsen himself was no stranger to the sweet taste of a good drink at the end of an adventure; he famously said, “The secret to a long life is to stay busy, get plenty of exercise and don't drink too much. Then again, don't drink too little.” The center is now managed by the Adirondack Mountain Club as the Cascade Welcome Center which focuses on hiker, biker, and skier educational programs and no longer operates a similar bar.

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THE ROUTE
Bill laid out the 28+ mile route with the goal of featuring BETA-maintained ski trails – Wright Peak, Mount Marcy, Mr. Van, Whale’s Tail, and Avalanche Pass ski trails – while keeping people off avalanche-prone terrain. 

​The trails in the winter are different day-to-day depending on the conditions. Bill figures the Mr. Van Ski Trail near the end of the route is most people’s least favorite part of the JLC. "It's at the time when people want to be done." On the flip side, there’s a clear standout for the best section in Bill’s opinion: Avalanche Lake. “You just can’t beat that.” For many people, skiing to Avalanche Lake is plenty to test their skills and endurance while still enjoying both the journey and the destination – the views at Avalanche Lake (below) can be absolutely surreal.

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Avalanche Lake in full splendor

Jan Wellford (left) and Bill Frazer (right) after finishing the JLC for the first time in 2020

TIPS FOR THE CURIOUS
For folks intrigued by the JLC, Bill has a few pearls of wisdom to impart. He cautions that, in general, you better know what you’re doing. While some folks add an extra layer of challenge to the JLC by striving for speed (like Jan Wellford who has set the fastest known time at an impressive 5 hours, 5 minutes), the name of the game is to enjoy your adventure. "We got no trophies, nothing like that," Bill said, but "there is some sense of accomplishment.”

As he stated in an Instagram post from 2020 at the launch of the JLC, “Only attempt if you’re confident in your backcountry ski abilities! … Do your research!” Part of that research should probably include checking BETA’s frequently-updated and incredibly detailed ski trail conditions report authored by another local legend, Tony Goodwin (who has been sharing these reports since the 80s). 

If striking out to do the entire route at once is daunting, he suggests doing it in sections before stringing them all together. His last piece of advice is to “Remember this is supposed to be fun!”

SIGNING OFF
Backcountry skiing in the Adirondacks is not just a recreational pursuit; it is an evolving tradition that connects people to each other, to the land, and to the history of this wild and beautiful place. We owe much to the private landowners and public land managers who have partnered with BETA, the generous contributions of dedicated volunteers, and organizations who have advocated for and maintained the trails in our region. You can count on BETA and our partners to continue our work to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same experiences that we appreciate today. When we glide through the woods on skis, whether for a casual mid-day foray or for a grueling dawn-to-dusk challenge like the JLC, we tap directly into that lively community and dynamic history.

Even so, Bill emphasized the importance of being grounded in appreciating your time on skis and accepting it for what it is. “Sometimes we’re literally just hiking with our skis and the turns are terrible. I call that the Adirondack Two-Turn. If I go out for 10 hours and I get two good turns in, then I did it right.” He chuckled at the fact that the skiing itself might be better at a nearby resort, but “I’d rather be out in the woods making my own adventure.” When reflecting on his hopes for this winter season, Bill has one thing in mind: “I’m just excited to ski!”

Remember Johannsen and “Ski, ski, ski!” this winter – whether you have the skills and knowledge to tackle an epic adventure or are just starting out!
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​We hope you’ve enjoyed this story. It is the second in a series you’ll see through the end of the year that features a handful of incredible community members with a variety of stories and perspectives. We’re excited to share them with you as part of our Double Your Donation campaign.

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​DOUBLE YOUR GIVING POWER
A generous anonymous donor has pledged to match every dollar of community donations, up to $12,500, made to BETA between November 15th and December 31st, 2024.

Give now to support trail maintenance and advocacy efforts that make epic adventures like the JLC possible for current and future generations to enjoy.

All gifts received by December 31st are eligible to be matched up to a total of $12,500, worth $25,000 if fully matched!

Together, we can ensure that our trails continue to be a source of connection and joy for our community.

Join us in making a difference.

A selection of pictures from the official JLC Instagram account, @Johannsen_Last_Call