Dirk Gouwens, executive director of Ski Maine Association, speaks Tuesday during the new chairlift No. 3 celebration at Lost Valley in Auburn. The lift opened at 3 p.m. Tuesday and is the first chairlift to be installed at the ski area since 1972. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Matt Zando, left, of Auburn and Lost Valley owner Scott Shanaman autograph the “First Chair Ever” sign after chairlift No. 3 opened at the ski area in Auburn. Zando, a 1999 graduate of Edward Little High School, bid $1,000 to ride the first chair. Pat’s Pizza in Auburn matched Zando’s $1,000 and the $2,000 was donated to Central Maine Adaptive Sports. Zando could pick anyone to ride the first chair with him. He chose Shanaman. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Matt Zando, right, of Auburn and Lost Valley owner Scott Shanaman ride the first chair Tuesday after chairlift No. 3 opened at the ski area in Auburn. Zando, a 1999 graduate of Edward Little High School, bid $1,000 to ride the first chair. Pat’s Pizza in Auburn matched Zando’s $1,000 and the $2,000 was donated to Central Maine Adaptive Sports. Zando could pick anyone to ride the first chair with him. He chose Shanaman. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Skiers ride chairlift No. 3 Tuesday to the top of Lost Valley in Auburn. The lift opened at 3 p.m. Tuesday and is the first chairlift to be installed at the ski area since 1972. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

The Shanaman family of Auburn listen as Auburn Mayor Jeff Harmon speaks Tuesday during the new chairlift No. 3 celebration at Lost Valley in Auburn. Scott Shanaman, second from left, and April Shanaman own Lost Valley and have three sons. They are Mason, third from left, Reece, fourth from left, and Sawyer, right. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Lost Valley owner Scott Shanaman gets ready Tuesday for chairlift No. 3 to roll at the ski area in Auburn. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal