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WINTER 2021 A PUBLICATION OF THE AND SNOWBOARD MUSEUM • MAIN STREET • KINGFIELD, MAINE History of the Museum Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum was founded in 1995 as the Ski Museum of Maine by a small group of friends from the Ski Club. Within a The Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum is a 501( c ) (3) charitable organization, established decade the museum became a nonprofit corporation and obtained a grant to in 1995 with the mission to celebrate, preserve begin accessioning an initial collection of artifacts and documents. In 2006 the and share the history and heritage of Maine Board of Directors hired its first executive director and rented exhibit space and . in downtown Farmington. In 2009 the museum moved to its current location on Main St. in Kingfield. In 2016 the museum purchased the Offi cers Ski Museum’s “Mountains of Maine-Skiing in the Pine Tree State” exhibit- President: Glenn Parkinson, Freeport dedicating the exhibit to John Christie. The museum was renovated in 2017 Secretary: Russ Murley, West Bethel and a “Maine Olympians” Exhibit added in 2018. A satellite gallery opened Treasurer: Wende Gray, Bethel in 2018 at the Bethel Historical Society with a permanent “History of Oxford County Skiing” exhibit. In 2019 both the “Maine Olympians” and “Mountains of Board Members Maine” were converted to mobile traveling exhibits. In 2020, the Ski Museum Kip Files, Carrabassett Valley of Maine changed its name to the Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum. Laurie Fitch, Portland Dave Irons, Westbrook Jon Morrill, Portland You can help preserve Maine’s ski and snowboard history Dave Ridley, Camden and heritage beyond your lifetime by becoming a member of Frank Rogers, Kingfield the Maine Ski & Snowboard Heritage Society and including a Matt Sabasteanski, Raymond financial bequest to the museum in your estate plan. Dan Warner, Hanover For more information contact MSSM at Rebecca Woods, Auburn [email protected], 207-265-2023.

Staff Executive Director: Theresa Shanahan Curator: Karen Campbell Bookkeeper: Leslie Norton FOR YOUR Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum PO Box 359 HOME, AUTO, 256 Main St. Kingfield, ME 04947 LIFE, AND 207-265-2023 BUSINESS, www.maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org [email protected] JOIN THE FAMILY AT... Winter 2021 Snow Trail Contributors: Glenn Parkinson, Karen Campbell, 800-360-3000 | ChalmersInsuranceGroup.com Dave Irons Managing Editor: Wende Gray Layout & Design: Royal River Graphics

Family-owned for four generations

2 COOPER FRIEND, PRESIDENT President’s Column

In our last Snow Trail magazine President These are exciting times. We have recently changed our name to Cooper Friend wrote, “Please allow me to the Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum. We are about to open our share what your museum has been doing new exhibit, Tall Timber Classic and we have ongoing research since the onset of this pandemic. Our projects-oral histories, archive accessioning and a dedicated Ski unofficial motto from the very beginning of Maps Project. We are living up to Cooper’s unofficial motto. this difficult time has been, Let’s get ready to rumble.” We have had to make some We are working hard to celebrate, preserve and share the artifacts concessions, such as postponing for a year of Maine’s skiing and snowboarding past. Our ski history is not our Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Cooper then listed 12 things made of just facts and things, it is also made of stories. I look that we have done to move your museum forward. forward to sharing more of the stories from our shared wintertime fun. Cooper Friend and Peter Weston, our President and Vice President respectively, have decided to step down. Together, they worked hard to grow the Museum, I thank them for their hard work and With gratitude, am excited to be back in the role of President. Glenn Parkinson

THERESA SHANAHAN Executive Director’s Report

It has been very interesting at the museum having an event indoors worthy of the 8 inductees of the Class of since March. We are thankful to all the 2020, the committee decided to postpone the event until October visitors who have come since the onset of 15, 2021. COVID (from as far away as Alaska!)-all donning their masks and practicing social The Fourth Annual “Legends Alpine Race” will be held on distancing. We had a group from New Thursday March 11th at Mt. Abram. If you have the need for York City who toured the museum and speed and are over 50, sign up for this GS race on our website. shared their ski stories. Another visitor On Saturday, March 13th Black Mountain will be hosting the “Tom from Telluride, CO told me “your museum is much nicer than Kendall Legends of Maine 5K Nordic Race”. Last year’s event at the museum in Vail”. We are very proud of our exhibits and look Black Mtn. was canceled due to COVID. We are looking forward to forward to sharing our upcoming exhibit this winter – Tall Timber sharing this event with the great Chisholm Ski Club at Black Mtn. Classic the 50th Anniversary of Maine’s 1971 World Cup Races. Kittery Trading Post and Rossignol will be sponsoring both events. At the Richardson House of the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society we are sharing the 60th Anniversary of Mt. Abram along Thank you to all that continue to support the museum. We couldn’t with our permanent exhibit which tells the and do it without you. snowboarding in Oxford County.

The 18th Maine Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Banquet which Be well, was to be held on October 17 at Sugarloaf was postponed. After Theresa Shanahan careful consideration of the Maine CDC guidelines in regards to

Celebrating, Preserving & Sharing the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in Maine 3 Name Change

In his 1936 book “Skiing For All” Otto Schniebs reminded us image of a ski turn. This is shown on a binding box illustrating that “A skier should never forget that are after all only an how to set up the binding. instrument, a means, through which we can enjoy winter in all its glory and ruggedness, can breathe clean fresh air, can meet That concept of a big swooping S was human beings in their true character and can forget all the petty common in the 1940s and 1950s, as in troubles which beset our so-called civilization.” this clip art from Ski Magazine in 1956.

The Ski Museum of Maine is now the Maine Ski and In our new logo we use that same image. Snowboard Museum. Our mission is to Celebrate, Preserve and It is both a nod to our sport’s past and a Share the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in statement that when you look back there Maine. For most of us, it has always been about the wintertime is no real difference between a ski turn mountain experience. “We are simply choosing to use a and a snowboard turn. different tool for descending an alpine environment.” writes Olympic Gold Medalist (twice!) Seth Wescott.

By adding snowboarding to our name and our mission we are simply acknowledging that Seth is right, the only difference between skiing and Dovre does a snowboarding is the choice great job of incorporating a of tool. ski turn into their name. As a Museum we have always wanted to understand and preserve our sport’s past. By limiting that to just skiing we were making a decision based on the tool being used. Why do we ski? It is not because we want to strap two skis to our feet. It is because we want to get outside, to “appreciate winter in all its rugged glory”. With that in mind the choice of ski Another box of Hjalmar Hvam or snowboard becomes no more than a choice of which tool to toe irons. In the early 1950s, use. Both accomplish the same thing. Hjalmar started advertising with the slogan “Hvoom with Hvam In 1938 Hjalmar Hvam designed and sold the first release toe and have no fear.” piece, the Saf-Ski. He used a big swooping “S” to create the

4 maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org • [email protected] • 207.265.2023 Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum Trail Map Collection By Glenn Parkinson Maps are a lot more than just geography. You can learn about what it was like. Look politics, religion, art, science and much more by studying maps. at the description of the That got me wondering what can be learned by studying ski Wayshego Trail from the maps. 1939 “Skier’s Guide To New England”. It tells We have received a $10,000 grant from an anonymous donor you how to get to the to support our Ski Map Project. With this we bought archival trail, how wide it was, storage material to protect our maps. We also bought a 24 the maximum grade, megapixel Canon camera so we can digitize the collection. Pete that it had exposure to Weston built a vacuum table for us. Karen, our curator, can lay the north and the vertical a map down and the vacuum table holds it flat so she can take drop. That little piece better pictures. We will share our maps with you online. at the end, “banked corners”? Those two The US Eastern Amateur Ski Association Yearbook in 1928 words hold a big story. had no descriptions or maps of any ski trails. They did however President Roosevelt This map is from the 1938-39 American have diagrams of the Ski Jumps around New England. You can Skiing Annual. Look at the guide at the lower created the Civilian compare the Chisolm Jump in Rumford with the Dartmouth right to see what each community offered. Conservation Corps to Outing Club Jump You will see that Rangeley had ski trails and create jobs during the ski tows. Bethel had trails and a jump. or the Montreal Ski Great Depression. The Club jump. They CCC cut many ski trails, including the Wayshego Trail. The wrote, “These young men working to build a ski trail had never skied. They profiles will be of saw that 25% grade and didn’t think it was possible to negotiate value in enabling such a steep pitch on skis. Their solution was to use tree trunks jumpers to obtain full to build big banked turns to help the skiers. Walter Soule advance information remembered skiing there and said, “Oh we liked those turns, we regarding hills on could carry good speed through them. Of course, we did lose which they later someone over the top once in a while”. expect to compete.” This shows the We do need your help in building this collection. If you have maps importance of or brochures that you would like to contribute, please reach out to jumping in the 1920s Karen or Theresa. In particular we need help dating some of our The original trails at the Bethel Inn maps. You can help us illustrate the story of Maine’s ski area and Resort were cut as part of the patients’ work Many of the early how they grew and changed over the years. therapy at the Gehring Clinic in the 1910’s. maps were designed Much of the original trail network is still in to show skiers what use today at the Bethel Village Trails Cross With your help we will to expect at a certain Country and Snowshoe center. build a collection of Ski location. Maps in Maps and learn what the 1930s showed what communities offered skiers ski jumps they have to tell us. We and open slopes. Trail maps as we think of them today didn’t look forward to sharing become popular until the 1950s and 1960s. those stories with you.

In the 1930s Ski Guides were popular. Rather than show a trail map they wrote a description of the trail. This was helpful to someone who had not skied that trail and wanted to know Bridgton Trails

Celebrating, Preserving & Sharing the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in Maine 5 “OmiGosh I’m the Curator” By Karen Campbell • [email protected]

I was doing an art show when old friends asked me what I was doing now. Long story short, they told me the ski museum was looking for a part time curator. I thought about it. Yes, I have skied since I was 5. Yes, I love the sport, and yes, I enjoy organizing, displaying and occasional detective work. A few hours a week- it could be fun. I decided to apply. In February I accepted the position, in March Covid hit. It’s been a wild ride and I’m loving it. “OmiGosh I’m the Curator”

I’m really enjoying the collections. Those before me have done an amazing job of gathering and preserving the history. Some of the pieces bring you back, some make you laugh, and some make you wonder. There definitely are some stories out there. Check out these goggles, canvas framed, fur lined. If they could talk!

As part of my new job I’m helping with the Oral history project. In September I had the pleasure of interviewing Howell McClure. He’s the last remaining Bigelow Boy and had some great stories. He gifted the museum his skis. A beautiful pair of Paris Manufacturing skis that he used on Bigelow and Sugarloaf while cutting trails.

6 maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org • [email protected] • 207.265.2023 Some of the images need no explanation. Some of them tell the story on their own.

I’ve really enjoyed sharing, preserving, documenting, and flashing back to the days when life was simpler and yet harder at the same time.

The ads are amazing! My first project was to organize the Ski and Skiing Magazines. Organizing was a stress and dust tolerance test, but I guess I passed. These are ads on back covers.

We are in search of some items to update and create new displays. If you have old snowboards or boarding memorabilia, give us a call. Also, we are missing 1932, 1933, and 1935 in our American Ski Annual collection.

Celebrating, Preserving & Sharing the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in Maine 7 A Chronology of Maine Skiing & Snowboarding 1970-2020 Select dates from New England Ski Museum’s Timeline researched by Jeff Leich and Issues of the Ski and Snowboard Museum’s Snow Trail Magazine

YOPP Skis 2016 Sunday River 1978 Simon Dumont 2008

1970 Sunday River installs on Mixing Bowl Trail - Opens Thanksgiving Day. Scott Paper Co. purchases Squaw Mtn. in Greenville. 1971 Sugarloaf hosts the World Cup Tall Timber Classic and Arlberg-Kandahar Downhill. Sunday River installs double to the top of Barker Mtn. 1972 John Christie purchases Saddleback . Killington (Sherburne Corp.) buys Sunday River. 1972-1976 The potential development of Bigelow Mtn. as an international ski destination resort ends with a public referendum for the purchase of land on the mountain to be administered by the Bureau of Public Lands- to be called the Bigelow Mtn. Preserve. 1973 Snowmaking begins at the . 1974 Saddleback hosts first ever Winter Special Olympics. 1976 Camden Snow Bowl begins operation of chairlift removed and reassembled from Bald Mtn in Dedham. NCAA and XC Championships at Black Mtn, alpine events at Sunday River. 1977 Ed Rogers of Sugarloaf establishes the North American Pro Racing Tour and expands internationally in 1981. 1980 Les Otten purchases Sunday River from Sherburne Corp. 1982/83 First lessons taught at Sunday River through the Maine Handicapped Skiing Program. 1982 Carrabassett Valley Academy established, training and educating a dozen Olympians. 1988 Pleasant Mtn. sold to Shawnee Mountain Corp. of Pennsylvania and renamed Shawnee Peak, a new chairlift was installed, snowmaking expanded, and added to the lower mountain. 1989-2000 Saddleback becomes locked in a battle over the protection of the versus ski area development. 1991 US Championships held at Black Mtn.

8 maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org • [email protected] • 207.265.2023 1992 Sarah Billmeier of Yarmouth wins the gold medal in GS, Super G and DH in the Paralympics. She goes on to repeat her medal performances in 94 and 98. 1993 USSA Senior and Masters XC Ski Championships held at Black Mtn. 1994 Chet Homer of Kennebunk purchases Shawnee Peak and invests in chairlift upgrades for greater capacity. 1994-1996 Les Otten forms LBO Enterprises and acquires Attitash, Waterville Valley and Mt. Cranmore in NH and Sugarbush in Vermont. In 1996 LBO becomes American Skiing Company, with headquarters in Bethel and purchases SKI Ltd including Killington and, Mt. Snow in VT and Sugarloaf, ME. 1995 Members of the Sugarloaf Ski Club found the Ski Museum of Maine. 1996 Chisholm Ski Club hosts the first ever International Women’s Ski Jumping Championships at Black Mtn. 1999 Maine Center established in Aroostook County and becomes a premier center for Biathlon and XC training and events. Ten Olympic athletes develop through the Center’s program. 1999 NCAA XC Ski Championships held at Black Mtn. Oak hill Capital Partners acquires American Skiing Company and sells its portfolio of resorts 2000 Ski Maine association’s program director, Carla Marcus founds the Winter Kids Program 2003 The Berry Family of Farmington purchases Saddleback Maine Ski Hall of Fame founded. 2003/2004 USSA Senior XC Ski Championships held at Black Mtn. 2004 Maine Winter Sports Center hosts World Cup Biathlon at the 10th Mtn. Center in Fort Kent, drawing 20,000 spectators and international TV coverage. 2006 Seth Wescott of Farmington wins Olympic Gold in Snowboard Cross in Torino, Italy and repeats in 2010 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. 2008 Champion free style skier, Simon Dumont of Bethel, sets world record for height on a quarter pipe of 73 feet in the air at Sunday River. 2009-2016 Boutique ski and snowboard manufacturers, YOPP, Volution, Lucid and Winterstick revive the “Made-in-Maine” tradition. 2011/2012 USSA Senior XC Ski Championships held at Black Mtn. 2015 Saddleback Mtn. closes citing high capital investment needs to continue operation. 2020 Saddleback reopens under new ownership 2020 The Ski Museum of Maine changes its name to the Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum.

Maine Handicapped Skiing 1983 Camden Snow Bowl 1970’s World Cup Biathlon 2004

Celebrating, Preserving & Sharing the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in Maine 9 The Tall Timber Classic World Cup 71 Excerpt from “Why Sugarloaf Held a Double-Barreled World Cup,” Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Club 50th Anniversary Magazine, Winter 1999-2000, by Esther J. Perne

If anything can surpass hosting a World Cup, it’s what Sugarloaf matter of here or never, the Sugarloaf races could be the accomplished in 1971. With too much snow and too few beds, deciding point makers of the series. an eleventh-hour notice, and the fate of the season’s entire award system hanging in the balance, this almost unknown As for the trail of choice, Narrow Gauge, in the days when the “mom and pop” area not only held the prestigious World Cup headwall was a real headwall, had a lot going for it. It had been and Tall Timber Classic, it also unexpectedly ran the downhill carefully prepared over the winter, the communications system events of the European Arlberg-Kandahar. was in place, and to make it more challenging at the run out, berms had been added. For all but the Men’s Downhill, the Start Two separate World Cup competitions and a total of six Gate was at the top of the Bateau T-bar. The 1971 World Cup events was not what Sugarloaf anticipated for its debut in the would be the Narrow Gauge’s first true test. arena of elite international competition. … But the mountain was potentially prepared. It had done its homework in World In summary, the events of the week in February were Cup readiness; two years of public relations, fund-raising, distinguished by two outcomes. Sugarloaf saved the World Cup organization, and logistics. It had the snow so lacking in and the Italians replaced the Austrians and the French as the Europe, that for the first time in 43 years, the Arlberg-Kandahar world champions. A racer named Gustavo Thoeni placed third couldn’t be held. And, of the five final competition sites for the at Sugarloaf, and went on to win the World Cup, and eventually, 1971 circuit, Sugarloaf only, could offer downhill…. Neither won five overall. And…yes it did snow, but only after those Mont Saint Anne, Quebec, where the World Cup races were champion-deciding downhills that saved the ski world were held held prior to Sugarloaf, nor any of the three World Cup sites under optimum conditions. scheduled to follow, could hold downhills. Not only was it a

Men’s and Women’s Downhill Race Courses Sugarloaf basement press room- note the manual typewriters!

10 maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org • [email protected] • 207.265.2023 The Tall Timber Flag Poles

Bob Cochran bursts out of the start gate on a training run Promotional decal from Peter Webber Ski Shops supporting World Cup

Jean Luce, Ned McSherry and Harry Ed and Wendy Rogers (right) and Peter Volunteer race workers hitch a ride Baxter review schedules and Roy (left) offer Red Stallion hospitality to details for the event. Karl Schranz

Celebrating, Preserving & Sharing the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in Maine 11 Here’s to ski history. e Maine Department of Economic & Community Development and Maine O ce of Tourism congratulate Sugarloaf Mountain on their 50th anniversary of hosting the Alpine Ski World Cup. Join us in celebrating this historic milestone by exploring the “50th Anniversary of the Tall Timber Classic Races at Sugarloaf” exhibit at the Maine Ski & Snowboard Museum.

087014 Maine Ski Museum World Cup Exhibit Ad • 7.25”x 9” • 10/30/20

12 maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org • [email protected] • 207.265.2023 Sally is currently the #1 agent in Oxford County.

Sally Harkins & Co. Real Estate was established in January, 2018. Sally Harkins, Own- er/Broker, began her real estate career in the Sunday River area in 2002. Her love of the area combined with her eye for detail and exceptional interpersonal skills have made for a winning combination. Sally and her associate, Stacie Melanson have worked together in the industry for the past nine years and have been selling real estate together for the last three plus years. Their knowledge and hands on experience make this team an invaluable resource to both buyers and sellers.

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Celebrating, Preserving & Sharing the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in Maine 13 Mt. Abram A “DO-IT-YOURSELF” PROJECT By Dave Irons

When the Cross Brothers, Stuart, Donald, and Norton, Stuart, Norton, and Donald Cross owned 10,000 acres. If they purchased 200 acres of land on Mount Abram in 1947, no one were going to start a ski area, they planned to log and keep paid much attention. Why would they? After all the brothers both businesses going. were loggers and loggers bought land wherever they could see enough timber to make a profit. But this land would become In December 1960 Mount Abram Ski Slopes opened with an something more than just another woodlot. event attended by 250 people.

As Don Cross told the story, “In the winter of 1958 we From The Bethel Journals, Donald G. Bennett were cutting on the west side of the mountain. At noon we A lot had to be done before that opening. In 1959, after would gather in a trailer for a warm lunch. There was much deciding to build a ski area on the mountain, the brothers hired discussion on different financial ventures. Ronald Snyder, one New England’s best-known ski area designer, Sel Hannah of our loggers, suggested taking the trees off a mountain and from . making a ski slope. The next day we had so much snow we had to snowshoe up across a big part of Mount Abram in order After evaluating the mountain, Hannah reported to the Cross to get to work. That noon Norton said, ‘Why wouldn’t that brothers that the mountain had very poor potential as a ski (Mount Abram) make a good ski slope?’ area. We don’t know why Hannah came to that conclusion, but we do know that the Cross brothers decided to go ahead “There was much discussion between us. We had to contact anyway. To that end, they purchased more land from Norman people who owned parcels needed to make the package Mills, Robert Cole and Alton Ames and went to work. The complete. Robert Cole was one of the big landowners, Doc base area was part of Robert Cole’s farm. There was a lot of Ames another. They were both eager to see us get started. clearing to do. Unlike ski areas that hired specialists to erect Right away we bought parcels from Cole and Ames, enough lifts, the brothers simply purchased a 1000 foot Hall T-bar in for parking and a few slopes.” the summer of 1960 and did the work themselves. They did everything from pouring the concrete bases for the towers One night, Addison Saunders and Mike Thurston came to to erecting the towers, building the base and top station and Stuart’s house and wanted to know if they could buy a portion stringing the cables. They also cut three trails on the mountain of land the Cross Brothers owned at Sunday River. They and built a base lodge. This was the beginning of what would planned a ski area and Stuart told them, “No. we are planning be a total Do-It-Yourself operation. a ski area ourselves”. They were disappointed and left. The first base lodge was humble, about 40 X 100 feet with A few days later the same two came back and said, “Why not restrooms in the basement along with lockers and a boot have two ski areas in Bethel?” The three brothers did a lot of changing area. The main floor housed the cafeteria and picnic thinking about this. “We felt that we would be doing a good tables, a common lay-out for small ski areas of the day. Before deed for the town of Bethel if we agreed to help. We actually opening there was a lot to learn. The brothers’ niece, Diane owned 400 acres where most of the (Sunday River) slopes are Cross, who was ten at the time, recalled how they would travel concentrated; at the same time, they only wanted around 50 every weekend to existing ski areas to see how things were acres.” done.

The brothers agreed and took some stock and season passes Obviously, staffing a ski area called for some skilled personnel. for the three families. “Yes, we were all skiers. We lived beside The Cross brothers asked Mr. Hall, owner of the Hall the ski slope on Vernon Street. We had used that hill before Company, if he could recommend a ski instructor. Hall asked 1943, when we all went into World War II, made jumps there, his old friend Real Charette, Director at Gray Rocks etc., so we all liked to ski.” Inn in Quebec, who recommended one of his top certified

14 maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org • [email protected] • 207.265.2023 instructors, Ken Lassiter, from Ontario. That fall Lassiter and In the summer of 1961, they erected a second Hall T-bar, 3,350 his family moved from Canada and set up the Canadian Ski feet long, ending just short of the summit and a skating rink just School at Mt. Abram. east of the base lodge.

Dave Irons is a ski journalist and author of history books about That first winter of operation ‘Do-It-Yourself” involved the Mt. Abram, Shawnee Peak and Sunday River. whole family. The brothers’ wives and mother took charge of the cafeteria establishing a reputation for home style cooking. Lee Hutchins managed the first ski shop. Diane Cross remembers how they foot packed the slopes on skis and before they had grooming equipment. Diane recalls sitting with her cousin Jack (Stuart’s son) atop the T-bar that first year to observe skiers as they approached the unloading area to ensure they were prepared. They’d be ready to hit the stop button if there was a problem. An inspector from the state came along and pointed out that the employees monitoring the lift at the top had to be at least 18 years old. Cheers to 60 Years Mt. Abram! Diane and Jack were just 10 and 11.

Out on the mountain, The Crosses created a ski patrol. With no Local before it was a catchphrase. patrol experience they started from scratch. Blaine Mills, Butch Fuller and the Cross brothers all took First Aid training from a Sustainable before it was a movement. trio of Red Cross First Aid instructors. Guy Parker became the Micro before it was craft. Patrol Director for the first year and Blaine Mills a patroller. Butch Fuller, at age 16, began his long career in patrolling. Although they had their first aid training, they learned the rest of patrolling as they went along. Gritty McDuff’s Brew Pubs After a single season operating with one short t-bar and a Craft Beer I Fresh, Local Pub Fare beginner slope the Cross Brothers wasted no time expanding. PORTLAND I FREEPORT I AUBURN I www.grittys.com

Celebrating, Preserving & Sharing the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in Maine 15 Last Run Frank Langlois of Falmouth passed away in September at the age of 89. A pioneer in the ski industry, Frank imported equipment and merchandise from Europe beginning with Reiker Ski Boots and represented many lines of skis, ski clothing and accessories. He helped develop Alpine Designs Skiwear and Smith Sport Optics. Representatives from this wholesale business traveled the eastern seaboard and west to Chicago. In 1959, along with his wife Ellie, who passed away in 2016, he opened the Chalet Ski Shop in Portland which later moved to South Portland. For 35 years the shop was one of the top ski retailers in the East.

A long-time friend, Harry McPherson writes: Frank’s passing came as a gut punch in a rough patch of gut punches which had me on the emotional ropes this year. Then the loss of a friend and mentor. The news arrived by text, as most, bad news does these days, and all productivity ground to a halt.

Many people can speak to Frank’s generosity, sense of humor, business success, Frank Langlois skiing and golfing skills. A smaller group can tell you how Frank changed and guided their futures. I am in that group. I worked for Frank (and Ellie) at the Chalet Ski Shop in SOPO, at the time the premier ski shop in Maine. I was a college flunk-out from Hallowell, Maine who’d fallen in love with skiing and biking while working at the old Wight’s Sporting Goods in Bangor, Maine. I moved to Portland and, after several tries, was hired at the Chalet. A passion became a career. From the beginning, Frank treated me and all the other employees equally. He made us owners, not renters. Frank had favorites—all of us. He was generous with praise and he’d state the shop’s success was due to us. I knew right away those In Loving Memoryof us of from less than wealthy means were as appreciated and valued as everyone Frank Langloiselse, perhaps because Frank took the same route. He told me that no one ever 1931-2020 resigned from too much praise. He taught me that “new” sells and to take chances, often out from his office with a magazine ad telling me, “Order That!” He knew my history and family, a trait all leaders should have. He shared things about himself and his past (these days it is called revealing) and I became as invested in him as he was in me. Frank was honest. He took responsibility and never whacked me for making a mistake, and I never hid one. He praised publicly and coached privately. Frank remembered every customer, telling me you win through people. Ellie taught me all the business math I ever needed but Frank taught me to love what I did.

I sat quietly after getting the news, then I walked to the beer store for a Ballentine Ale, a favorite of his (and mine) after a busy day. I thought about Frank shooting the ornaments off his Christmas tree with a pop gun, his dog Dr. Detroit, the fact that he loved looking like Kenny Rogers, how he’d still be in Sun Valley if Ellie In Loving Memory of hadn’tIn Loving put her Memory foot down, of and how he’d hitchhike to Sugarloaf with his boots and Frank Langlois skis overFrank his shoulders,Langlois a peanut butter sandwich in his pack. I felt a little better. 1931-2020 1931-2020 As the Snow Trail went to print, the Ski and Snowboard Museum learned of the passing of “Mr. Saddleback” Roger Page. The museum will celebrate his life in our upcoming spring issue.

16 maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org • [email protected] • 207.265.2023 In memory of our colleagues, mentors & good friends FRANK & ELLIE LANGLOIS

~ Jon Morrill ~ Butch Reilly ~ Kurt & Butch Widen ~ KC Hughes ~ `~ Bruce Sysyn ~ Doug Hawkins ~ Joe Weller ~ Peter Gale ~ Harry McPherson ~ ~ Peter Webber ~ Mike Kilchenstein ~ Dick Keenan & Pat Tufts ~

Celebrating, Preserving & Sharing the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in Maine 17 Happenings High bidders on summer activities offered in the annual spring on-line auction raved about their experiences. They will definitely bid again next year.

Mike Reynolds of Boothbay Harbor proudly displays one of the smallmouth bass he caught on his fly fishing trip with Bill Green. Mike’s brother-in-law John Geismar, the high bidder, and his son James accompanied Mike on the driftboat Captain Steve Blaisdell at the helm of his J-34 sailboat. The Deblocks trip on the Androscoggin with Guides Luke Gray and Laurin Parker. from Scarborough and guests from upstate New York sailed through Eggemoggin Reach in September. Oral History Project Our Curator, Karen Campbell, and Project Director, Valley and designed equipment Tim Whiton, are busy conducting, transcribing, and CHIP CAREY: former director of communications digitizing oral histories. Interviews conducted by Tim at Sugarloaf to date include CRAIG WHITON: UMF skier, ski instructor, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, founder Portland Ski Club, BUTCH FULLER: long time Mt. Abram ski patroller high school ski coach DON ANGEVINE: founder of Bethel Outing Club LAINEY AND STEVE CROSS: children of founders of One of Karen’s most interesting interviews was with Mt. Abram Howell McClure, the last remaining Bigelow Boy. TOM REMINGTON: top ski jumper in Maine The Boys cut the first trails on Sugarloaf Mountain. LES OTTEN: Sunday River former owner Howell never rode a ski lift in his life. Karen plans ZIP KELLOGG: long time Maine skier to interview Ted Jones, CFO to John Christie at MARY LOU SPRAGUE: long time Maine skier and Sugarloaf, Becky Kendall, a Bethel Resident who one of “founding” families of Sugarloaf skied in the 40’s and Peter Webber, ski shop PAUL MAGUIRE: long time member of founder. Howell McClure, the last Chisholm Ski Club remaining Bigelow Boy, donated his skis to the MARIO FURTADO: Mt. Abram ski school If you have ski and snowboard stories to tell and museum’s collection. RIK DOW: GM at Mt. Abram and ski instructor would like to share your remembrances with us, PHIL WALLINGFORD: father, Otto, started Lost please contact the museum at 207-265-2023 or [email protected].

18 maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org • [email protected] • 207.265.2023 Legends Races set for March 2021 The Third Annual Legends GS Race on March 13, 2020 at Mt. Abram was one of the final events of Maine’s 2020 ski season. Two days later the First Annual TK Nordic Race at Black Mtn was cancelled as ski areas ceased operation with the onset of COVID 19.

The Legends Races will be bouncing back bigger and better than ever thanks to the sponsorship of Rossignol and the Kittery Trading Post. The Alpine GS is scheduled for Thursday, March 11 at Mt Abram. The TK Nordic Race is set for Saturday, March 13 at Black Mtn. Both races are for skiers ages 50 and over. Categories are men and women, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+. Medals will be awarded in all categories and a Ski Meister award for the male and female with the best combined time in the two disciplines. Racing registration is available on-line at Betsy Bass attacking skiandsnowboardmuseum.org/legends-race-registration. the 2020 race course

Exhibits KINGFIELD- “The 50th Anniversary of Maine’s 1971 World Cup Races” exhibit celebrates the athletes, organizers, volunteers and race officials that put Sugarloaf on the map as a “World Class” venue for ski racing. Sugarloaf welcomed competitors from many nations, teams and race officials, press spectators and national TV audiences to the World Cup and Tall Timber Classic Races held at Sugarloaf, February 19 through the 21st, 1971. The exhibit will be open 10am-3:30 pm Monday-Friday and 10am-3pm Saturday and Sunday.

BETHEL-The “60th Anniversary of Mt. Abram” exhibit opened December 5 at the Robinson House of the Sandwiches, Soups & Salads Heat & Eat Meals Museums of the Bethel Historical Society on Broad Street. Natural & Gourmet Foods The exhibit traces the founding of Mt. Abram by the Cross Beer & Wine Brothers and its sixty-year development into one of Maine’s Catering All Occasions most beloved family ski areas. The Robinson House will be open most Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 am to 3 pm 207-824-3754 and other times by appointment. Please call 207-824-2908 212 Mayville Rd. (Rt. 2) Bethel, ME before arrival. www.goodfoodbethel.com

Celebrating, Preserving & Sharing the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in Maine 19 Museum Marketplace Ski history books and vintage posters for sale on line at maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org

Celebrating 150 Years of Maine Skiing 1870-2020

FIRST TRACKS $16

150TH POSTER $20 THE WINTER SPORT SHAWNEE PEAK $22.95 OF SKEEING $10

SUNDAY RIVER $50 $37 WE JUMPED $15

100 YEARS CHISHOLM $20 CAMDEN SNOW BOWL $20 SKIING MAINE $12.95

20 maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org • [email protected] • 207.265.2023 Hall of Fame Lifetime Members Class of 2003 Bob Flynn David Farrar Andrew Shepard Wendall “Chummy” Broomhall Dave Irons Class 2012 Orman “Sonny” Goodwin Aurele Legere Charles “Slim” Broomhall Andre Benoit Walter Shepard Robert “Bunny” Bass Jill Miller Erlon “Bucky” Broomhall Dan “Mouse” Warner Amos Winter Winston C “Win” Robbins Walter Stadig Class of 2017: John Bower Galen Sayward Frank A. Howell Bruce Miles Al Merrill Tom Upham Natalie Terry Dick Taylor Wes Marco Murray W. “Mike” Thurston Bruce Fenn Ed Rock Ralph A. “Doc” DesRoches Class of 2008 Philip Hussey Ralph Ostlund Russ Haggett Hans Jenni L.L. Bean Chip Cochrane Class of 2004 Leslie Bancroft Class of 2013 Steve DeAngelis Greg Stump Pat Miller Craig Gray Karen Hunter-Korn Robert “ Stub” Taylor Robert C. Kendall Will Farnham David Chamberlain Jean Luce Julie Parisien Rand Stowell Class of 2018 Linwood “Zeke” Dwelley H. King Cummings Greg Poirier Norman Libby Donald Cross Tim LaVallee Randy Kerr Dave Stonebraker Paul Kailey Dan Simoneau Gail Blackburn Leon Akers Roger Page Bill Cummings Howard Paradis Kristina Sabasteanski Sam Ouellet Class of 2009 Bruce Cole Warren Cook Tom “ Coach” Reynolds Tom Bennett Class of 2014 Karen Colburn Birger Adolph Olson Sarah Billmeier Brud Folger Anne Bonjean Dowling Class of 2005 Ted Curtis David Carter Class of 2019 Theo Johnson Byron G. “Bud” Dow Nikki Pilavakis-Davoren Henry Anderson James C. Jones John Litchfield Carl Burnett Lindsay Ball Robert Pidacks John Roderick Anna Parisien Levine Leigh Breidenbach Dick & Mary Kendall Les Otten Rob Parasien Billy Chenard Richard “Pat” Murphy Herert L. “Herb” Adams Tom Gyger Don Fowler Robert Remington Class of 2010 Bill Briggs Paul Schipper Richard S. “ Dick” Osgood Morten Lund Class of 2015 Seth Wescott Karl Anderson Marcus Nash John Ritzo Bob Zinck Robert MacGregor Morse Kirsten Clark-Rickenbach Jill Sickels Matlock Class of 2020 Class of 2006 Bob Harkins John Diller Larry Warren Charlie Akers Joan McWilliams Dolan Tom Kendall Peter Smith Norm Cummings Bernard “Ben” Paradis Peter Davis Marcia White Jack Lufkin John Atwood Bruce Chalmers Harold Bondeson Ray Broomhall Class of 2011 Lube Lowery Chip Carey George Ouellette Edmund MacDonald Megan Roberts Dick Forster Irving Kagan Horacw Chapman Class of 2016 Bob Miller Richard Gould Chip Crothers Geoff Stump Greg Voisine Peter Webber John “Johnny” Green Ed Rogers Fletcher Brown Carla Marcus Greg Sweetser Class of 2007 Werner Rothbacher Nancy Ingersoll Fiddler Richard “Dick” Bell Owen Wells

Hall of Fame The annual banquet and ceremony for the 2020 Maine Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame inductees, Do you know of someone Larry Warren, Peter Smith, Marcia White, Harold who deserves a place in the Bondeson, Chip Carey, Dick Forster, Bob Miller, Maine Ski Hall of Fame? and Greg Voisine has been postponed to October 15, 2021. Sugarloaf will host the event. Mark your Nomination forms and guidelines for the Class of 2021 are available calendars. on line at maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org/hall-of-fame. Deadline for nominations is December 31, 2020.

Celebrating, Preserving & Sharing the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in Maine 21 2020 Membership Members for the period November 1, 2019-October 31, 2020

LIFETIME Charles Ferguson Chris & Melissa Doucette Lev Steeves Gene & Joanne Howland Dr. Robert Anderson Kip Files Pat & Bonnie Dowling Bret & Cheri Surowiec Joe Jenkins P. Kelley & Sophie Baker Scott, Martha, Heather, Cythia & Robert Dunlap Joe Tutlis Katherine Kelley Wendy & Dennis Carey & Alan Finlay Faron Fahy W Davis & Louise Aileen Kennedy Warren Cook John Fowler Bob Farrar Van Winkle Peter Krakoff Drew & Brenda Cota Mike Gammon John “Jack” Farrar Michele Varuolo Cole Pam & Pappy Labbe Don & Mary Fletcher Timothy Giggey Phoebe Folger Phil Wagner William LaCasse Richard & Leona Forster Goodwin Gilman Colon Durell & Mary Frank Lynne Walsh James Lepich Don & Nancy Fowler Tom Grace Paul Fritzson Edward Walworth Kathy MacVane Cooper & Meredith Friend Wende Gray Rick & Diane Frongillo John Watson Nancy Makin Charles & Nancy Gaunce Mike Ham Glen Frost John & Cam Weir Nancy Marshall Alice Goodwin Mike & Sue Hart Bob Garrett Stephen & Margaret Chris Martin Harold Gunter Cindy & Mark Hiebert Donn & Linda Gifford Whitcomb Thomas McCabe Tom Hanson John Hooper Stephan Godomsky Bill & Vicki Wood Patricia McGivern Don & Anne Hayes Philip Hunter Phil Gravink Doug Zinchuk Jeff Meserve David & Jacqueline Horn Patti & Thom Johnston Peter Hale Janice Mildram Peter & Kathryn Hussey Peter & Lisa Judkins Jerry & Suzanne Hall INDIVIDUAL- $25 Mildon Mitchell Anthony & Hilary Jessen Jon Morrill Marty Hall Jeffrey Aceto Bob Morton Regis & Carolyn Lepage Leslie & Tom Morrill John Harris Roger Adams Sean Morton Garrett Martin Chris Neagle Bee Harvey Sally Allard Russ Murley Walter & Sarah Melvin Tom & Heidi Pelletier David & Amy Hediger Vicki Amoroso Sue Myers Terri Messer Bonnie Pottle Armond Hudon Ryan Armstrong Jeffrey Newsom Bruce Miles Alan Redden Brent Jepson Marc Ayotte Eric Nicholas Amanda & Charley John Roberts David, Ann, Chan, Kendall Bacon Ralph Nodine Murray Peter Skapinsky Stuart Jones Jeff Barnes William Orr Gail Ogilvie Jerry Thompson Rich & Pat Judd Harry Baxter Laurence Perkins Glenn & Donna Parkinson Donald Tranten Tom Kelley Michael Becker Gail Preble Steve & Debbie Pierce Neal & Linda Trask John Kendall Marcia Blake Richard Ray Gil & Diane Roderick Judy Wallingford Tom & Kass Leahy Richard Bourne Earl Raymond Phil Savignano Kerry-Sue Walters Russell & Elizabeth Libbey Glenn Brown Harry Ricker Lee & Myles Silverman Teddy Weston Jim and Betty Ann Jeff & Celeste Brown Dave Ridley Peter Smith Anne Worthley Listowich William Brown Win Robinson Cathy Sweetser & Jock Mary Little Paul Cannon Betsy Rockwell Moore FAMILY- $50 Scott Lowell Carlie Casey Richard Rodgers Sally & Al Webster Bill & Debbie Anctil Peter MacLeod Dan Cassidy Robert Rogers Peter & Judy Weston Stephen Arner John McCatherin John Curtis Russell Ross Guy Williams Nancy Babcock Hazen McMullen Lloyd Cutler S. Clyde Ross Charlotte Zahn Michael Barnes Richard & Imogene Susan Davis Lenny Roy Ed Zanca Gretchen Zupf & Bob Bass McWilliams Jack & Heidi Donovan Sandie Sabaka Judy Bemis Jeffrey Meade W.E. Pat Dow Ted & Mary Sherwood SUSTAINING- $250 Irene & Bill Berry Judy & Charlie Micoleau Mike Esty Gregg Silloway Bob Briggs Steve & Shirrin Blaisdell Norman Minsky Laurie Fitch Bruce Smith Cate Gilbane Bob Blanchard Earle Morse Paul Forman John Steele Lucy Klug Anthony Blandini James Nichols Steve Forrest Harry Stout kathryn Olmstead Dan Boutin Charlie Niedner Cindy Foster Rand & Kathy Surgi Frank Spizuoco David Brackett Bucky Owen Lincoln Fuller Connie Sweetser Dr. Charles Brown Jay Reynolds Richie Garrett Barney Thompson SUPPORTING- $100 Jeff & Celeste Brown David Ridley Peter Garsoe Linda Trueworthy Bo & Cindy Adams Meredith Strang Burgess Michael Rifkin Candy Bower Gleason Jim Weitz Betsy, Katie, Lisa Cabral & Tom Bird Frank Rogers Susan Grant Alison Welch & Meaghan Bass John Condon Paul Rogers David Guernsey John Weston Thomas & Letitia Bob Conrad Gretchen, Bob, & Ben Roy Michael Haenn Chris White Beauregard Suzanne Decrow John & Judy Sherman Mimi & Ward Hauenstein Glenn White David & Susan Carlisle Dutch & Joyce Demshar Michael & Patricia Skaling Liz Hoefler Marcia White Daniel Davis Janice Doherty Alan & Lisa Sleight Buzzy Hollander Ellen Worthing Heidi DeBlock Scott Dolan Bruce Smith Paul Houlares Jeff York

22 maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org • [email protected] • 207.265.2023 2021 Membership WE ARE PROUD TO BE YOUR HOME FOR MAINE’S SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING HISTORY As we prepare for 2021 and beyond, we are filled with excitement for the future. We need your help to harness this excitement, respond to new opportunities, and continue to improve our ability to serve the MSSM community. To become a member or renew your current membership, please fill out this form and mail it to: Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum, PO Box 359, Kingfield, ME 04947. You may also join or renew online at www.maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org Your support is greatly appreciated! Name: ______Please select membership level: Address: ______Individual $25 City: ______Family $50 State: ______Zip ______Supporting $100 Phone: ______Email: ______Sustaining $250 Lifetime $1000 – SMOM logo vest Business partner $100 – Listing in Snow Tax Deductible Donation (optional): $______Thank you!!! Trail Magazine & link on our website. ______Credit Card # Name to be listed as: ______Expiration Date: ______CVV # ______Signature: Website: ______

Business Partners ABM Mechanical, Hancock, ME Sally Harkins and Company, Bethel, ME Akers Ski, Inc., Andover, ME Shipyard Brewing, Portland, ME BEWI Productions, Inc., Waltham, MA Smokin’ Good BBQ, Bethel, ME Backside 2 O’Clock, LLC, Scarborough, ME Snowfield Productions, Scarborough, ME Bethel Inn, Bethel, ME Stanley Museum, Kingfield, ME Café DiCocoa, Bethel, ME Swan Screen Printing, Bethel, ME Camden Riverhouse Hotel, Camden, ME Town of Carrabassett Valley,Mon-Sat Carrabassett 9-9, Sun Valley, 10-6 ME • Rte. 1, Kittery, ME • 888-587-6246 • ktp.com Carrabassett Coffee Company, Kingfield, ME Tranten’s, Kingfield, ME Casco Bay Frames, Portland, ME Valley Gas & Oil, Kingfield, ME Central Maine Motors, Waterville, ME Waterfront Restaurant, Camden, ME Chalmers Insurance, Norway, ME Charles E Millard, Inc , Bristol, RI CO Beck and Sons, Inc., Waterville, ME Cole Harrison Agency, Carrabassett Valley Alpine & Nordic Skis & Boots/ Apparel & Accessories D’Ellies, Inc, Carrabassett Valley Farmington Ski Club c/o Titcomb Mt, Farmington, ME Snowboards / Sales, Service & Repairs Friend & Friend, Ellsworth, ME Giles Consulting, Belfast, ME Good Food Store, Bethel, ME Hannaford, Farmington, ME Happy Tunes, Carrabassett Valley, ME Harrison Development, Kennebunk, ME The Irregular, Kingfield, ME Keenan Auction Co, South Portland, ME Kittery Trading Post, Kittery, ME Langlois LLC Group, Falmouth, ME Maine’s Northwestern Mountains, Carrabassett Valley, ME Merriam Vineyards, Boxford, MA Denise- Long time, no see or collaborate.Mirus SayResort Capital, Newton Centre, MA An Outdoor Tradition Since 1938 Morning Glory Natural Foods, Brunswick, ME hi to Lisa too. Hope you are doing well.Nancy Jon Marshall has Communications, Portland, ME authorized a ¼ page full color ad in theNew Ski England Mu- Ski Museum, Franconia, NH OTIS FCU, Jay, ME seum’s upcoming Snow Trail. The specsRoof are Systems 3 ½ of Maine, Bangor, ME Rte. 1, Kittery, ME • 888-587-6246 • ktp.com • ktpevents.com wide by 4 ½ deep. Full color. A jpg or pdf can be sent to my email address at graymktg@mega- Celebrating, Preserving & Sharing the History and Heritage of Skiing and Snowboarding in Maine 23 link.net. Deadline is the week of IRS Day April 15. Thanks Wende Gray Bethel, Maine 04217 207-824-3694

Alpine & Nordic Skis & Boots/ Apparel & Accessories Snowboards / Sales, Service & Repairs

Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 10-6 • Rte. 1, Kittery, ME • 888-587-6246 • ktp.com Non-Pro t Org. U.S. Postage PAID Farmington, ME Permit No. 30

PO Box 359 Kingfield, ME 04947

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Keenan Auction Co., Inc. Keenan 1 Runway Rd. Auction So. Portland, ME 04106 207-885-5100 Company® www.KeenanAuction.com