Nice article on the man here:
http://www.ronwatters.com/SnowShoe.htm

Nine and a half foot skis and a 60-80 pound pack for days on end! Yeah, I could do that...

Is that who Thompson Peak near Luther Pass named for?

fedak,
Thompson Peak [Alpine County]. Named for John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson (1827-76, originally Tostensen). From 1853 to 1876 he carried mail across the High Sierra from Placerville to Carson Valley; in the winter he used skis, then often called Norwegian snowshoes.

-California Place Names, by E. Gustave, et al (page 392 - latest edition)

Stay warm

Snowshoe Thompson must have owned alot of ski's, because there are about 20 hotels, restaurants or bars around Tahoe that claim to have a pair on display.