CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Wooden skis, knickers and stretch pants – memories spurred by an exposition of old ski equipment and vintage clothing – highlight the first Maine Ski Heritage Classic Saturday at Sugarloaf USA.

Maine skiing and snowboarding kicks off February vacation week with a touch of nostalgia to raise awareness and money to benefit the Ski Museum of Maine in Farmington.

Glenn Parkinson, author of “First Tracks,” and a group of skiers will bring Maine’s ski history to life as they use vintage equipment and dress in period outfits to mingle with skiers at the base lodge from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, said Greg Sweetser, executive director of the Ski Maine Association.

“Many of us involved in the ski museum have some deep childhood memories of how great skiing was and how important it has been in our lives. We’re passionate about sharing that with others,” Sweetser said Friday.

The modern era of skiing began with the first lift, a rope tow installed at Jockey Cap in Fryeburg in 1935, followed by one at Shawnee Peak. Many of the founders of the sport are aging; people who started skiing in the 1930-1950s, and so much of the history is within their minds.

“There are so many stories that would deepen the history. We need to work to record these,” he said. “To really do it justice … collecting stories and artifacts … we need the resources behind it, including a paid curator, who with help from volunteers, can record the history.”

Since the museum features a wall of old skis, what better way to increase awareness and grab attention from other skiers as well as raise some money, he said speaking of Saturday’s event.

It’s interesting to watch a person’s reaction as they stop at and look at the progression of ski technology with even just a dozen pairs of skis, he said.

“Each person will stop and remark that, ‘That’s the first pair of skis that I remember.’ That’s the real heritage of the sport. It’s different than the history. We hope to recreate that emotional connection Saturday as skiers look between today and the roots of skiing,” he said.

In the base lodge, the Ski Museum will have a traveling display titled “patches and pins” with designs from new and old Maine ski areas. Museum curator Megan Roberts will answer questions, he said.

Parkinson has quite a collection of vintage ski clothing and a half dozen volunteers to model it Saturday. When skiers have appeared elsewhere in knickers, sweaters, stretch pants and other apparel, people will come up and talk with them. Kids will come up with their snowboards and find it fascinating, he said.

After participating in the recent Maine Peak to Peak Challenge where participants skied each of 17 ski areas in one day, a Maine ski history trail is being explored that would take a skier back to smaller ski areas where skiing started, he said. Included would be places such as Spruce Mountain in Jay that still has three tows and where the size of the mountain doesn’t matter.

“It’s being outdoors and with friends, making the turns and having fun,” he said.

Saturday’s event will move inside to the Sugarloaf Hotel for a fondue party and fundraising auction from 4 to 6 p.m.