The first 10 members of Maine’s newly formed Ski Hall of Fame were inducted at Lost Valley Oct. 24. These Maine skiers who have left an indelible mark on Maine skiing, though competition, teaching or building the sport filled the augural class.

The first class includes Olympic Cross Country skier Chummy Broomhall, internationally-known ski jumper Aurele Legere, ski boot maker and early Sugarloaf builder Bunny Bass, Amos Winter, the first Sugarloafer, John Bower, the first American to win the Holmenkollenn, Otto Wallingford, whose grooming inventions revolutionized that part of the sport, Al Merrill, the great Dartmouth College and U. S. Ski Team coach, Wes Marco, Maine’s first ski instructor and junior racing mentor, Doc Des Roches, father of the University of Maine Farmington Ski Industry Program, and Russ Haggett, founder and GM at Pleasant Mountain for 39 years.

These individuals played key roles in creating skiing in Maine and across the nation as we know it today. Through their vision and dedication, skiing has grown into a sport that brings $300 million annually to the Maine economy. The competitors demonstrated the quality of Maine skiers to the nation and the world.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Maine Ski Hall of Fame is to recognize those skiers, who through their efforts and achievements have brought distinction to Maine skiing. Some of these skiers made their mark in competition; others were founders who built the sport into a way of life for so many Mainers. Still more were teachers who led countless skiers and competitors into our sport. Some had an intense impact on local skiers while others gained prominence on an international scale. Thanks to these skiers, Maine has an industry that is a vital part of the economy, not only in the mountains but also throughout the state.

It is to recognize the importance of skiing to Maine and its citizens that the Maine Ski Hall of Fame has been formed.

By enshrining these men and women who founded and built the sport in Maine, competitors who brought prominence to Maine skiing, their coaches and mentors, and others who have made significant contributions, we shall create a permanent record of their endeavors and achievements. By doing this we shall preserve this history for those who follow, that they may understand the great achievements of these individuals.

Following a banquet with more than 200 skiers present, each individual or a family member was presented with an award signifying their selection. At the close of the evening, those present were given a nomination form and asked for their input in the selection of next year’s class. The program book each received is a permanent record of these individuals contributions. Next year’s event is set for Saturday, Oct. 23, at Lost Valley.

The Maine Ski Hall of Fame is a division of the Ski Museum of Maine