Last Saturday I visited Mt. Abram, and found exactly what I expected: The runs were firm but well groomed and eminently skiable. Part of the weekend’s celebration of Ullr Fest was a Telefest, and the heel-free skiers were everywhere. At the top of Dudley, I watched for a few minutes as an instructor gave a […]
on skiing
On skiing: Remembering Warren Miller
News from the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame that Warren Miller had died on Jan. 24 triggered a string of memories, mostly of times when I was fortunate enough to meet him and actually ski with him. The first time was in the early 80s, on a trip to Vail. A friend and fellow ski […]
On Skiing: February a big month for skiing and watching skiing
February is always a big ski month, the heart of the season with deep snow depths on the trails and the sun getting higher every day. Add vacation week and an ever-growing list of special events we have the Winter Olympics the ninth through the 25th. Maine has had a skier in every Winter Olympics […]
On Skiing: Good things happening at Lost Valley
One ski area on my list to visit this year was Lost Valley. I hadn’t been there since Scott and April Shanaman took over as new owners and I wanted to get a first hand look at what was new. When I did, one change was obvious as I walked in. The seldom-used T-bar was […]
On skiing: Catching up with Greg Stump
One week ago, I got a call from Greg Stump. He had heard about my book on Shawnee Peak and Pleasant Mountain and was looking for a copy. Most Maine skiers familiar with Stump’s films and background know that he grew up skiing at Pleasant Mountain, where as part of a Junior Masters program, he […]
On skiing: Remembering a Maine skiing legend
Receiving news of Chummy Broomhall’s passing brought many memories and sent me to a copy of the program for the first Maine Ski Hall of Fame banquet. Of that inaugural class, Chummy was the last surviving member. In fact, of the 10 individual skiers who were inducted in 2003, only Chummy, John Bower and Bunny […]
On Skiing: An action-packed January on tap at Maine's slopes
As usual, our ski areas have plenty of plans for the coming month. With January’s reputation for being a cold month, ski areas have developed numerous ways to lure skiers to the slopes, especially those skiers who might wait until February. Those of us who ski regularly, from the beginning of the season to the […]
On Skiing: Thanking those who keep us skiing
The biggest Christmas wish has already been answered. Everyone involved in skiing in any way, whether in the business or just a skier, always wishes not only for a White Christmas but for steady-enough cold weather to make and hold the snow. We have had a brief warm-up this week, but not enough to affect […]
On Skiing: Setting goals is key to having a better season
In many sports, it’s easy to set goals. For golfers, it might be lowering the handicap a few strokes or breaking 80. Runners go for better times, and swimmers for more endurance. As skiers, most of us don’t keep score. Sure, there are those with fancy watches that measure vertical skied each day and some […]
On Skiing: Only 15 days left to shop for your skier
Have you found the gift for the skier on your Christmas list? We have only 15 days left, and that’s if we start today. Of course, I always advocate combining shopping with skiing. The best place to buy for a skier is in a ski shop, and every mountain has one, so why not get […]