Maine Sunday Telegram - SKIING

2003 Season Columns - 

January 2003

 

 

 

“Vertically addicted family gives skinny skiing a try”

January 26, 2003

We are a family of alpine enthusiasts. You may have gathered that from my vertically slanted articles. My 10-year-old son has been pestering me to try cross-country skiing for four years now. A recent cold, blustery Sunday seemed the ideal time to take to the lower elements and try sliding horizontally for a change.

Harris Farm in Dayton was our Nordic destination. The family operated dairy and tree farm has been in the cross-country ski business for 14 years now. Dixie Harris greeted us enthusiastically in the cozy warming hut and her staff quickly fitted all four of us with boots, skis and poles.

“The boots should feel like running shoes,” said Harris, and they did only perhaps more comfortable. My daughter immediately said, “These are much comfier than my ski boots.”

Tina Fajardo of Alfred was seated next to us, fitting her 5-year-old son Isaiah for their first endeavor on skinny skis. “Many of my friends cross-country ski so I thought I better try it,” said Fajardo. “I hate winter, so I need to find something to make it more fun.”

Lessons are available at Harris Farm, as well as a soup to nuts learn to ski package for $35 including you rentals and a trail pass. We opted to go it alone, since we figured we could convert from downhill to Nordic without much difficulty.

My son said, “These skis are so much lighter and easier to carry than our downhill skis.” We placed the narrow boards in the snow, clicked our boot toe pieces into the bindings with an easy snap and we were ready to ski.

My husband Greg had cross-country skied years ago, so with a few pointers he had us all sliding across a beautiful snow-covered field in moments.

We came up on four women, all giggling. Julie Canning of Waterboro said, “This is my first time, my friends dragged me out here and I am a little wobbly.” The women were obviously having fun and for a first timer Canning was progressing quite well. As we skied away on Meadow Run, we could hear their laughter emanating through the woods.

We free-healed our way along the well-groomed track. The thin skis slid efficiently within the set tracks. Some very experienced skate skiers charged past us on the widely groomed skating lane.

Like any sport, you can take Nordic to all levels, from a leisurely walk in the woods to skating aggressively, to backcountry.

“Sugarloaf has a lot more difficult trails and backcountry Nordic,” said Karta Owens of York. We passed Owens and his family enjoying a thermos of hot cocoa on a trailside picnic bench in the woods.

We skied over gentle rolling pastures, through quiet wooded paths, along babbling brooks and up and down modest hills over the course of the next few hours. Despite the cold temperatures and a brisk wind, we were warm and thankful that we had dressed in layers to unzip as our pace intensified.

“I do both Nordic and alpine. Nordic is better for you physically. Not only is it a better workout, it is easier to get to and do,” said Bob Collins of Swix Wax. “It is less expensive from a lift ticket point of view, you can even do it in your backyard with a little snow.”

Trail passes at Harris Farm are $12 for adults, and $8 for students. Nordic centers maintain and groom their trails, plus provide signage and trail maps as part of the fee. But there are no lifts, which was a disappointment to my daughter when we came to our first big hill to climb. “They should put in a rope tow here, Mom,” she suggested.

I reminded her that the reward for making it up would be a thrilling ski down on the other side. The modern scaled skis gripped the snow as we trudged up the hill, and the herringbone technique came into play in a few steeper spots.

The descents were fun, even though we were sliding at a fraction of the speeds we attain when downhill skiing. Perhaps it was the sense of accomplishment for going up and down on our own steam, or maybe it was simply not falling at this new sport.

Everyone we encountered at Harris Farm was smiling, enjoying the beautiful outdoors and relaxed enough to exchange hellos as part of this unhurried sport. And of all the new Nordic inductees we met, no one appeared frustrated or stressed by the activity.

“If you can walk, you can pick up Nordic skiing,” said Jenny Freeman of Kittery. Freeman explained that in her 30 years of cross-country, the sport has become easier due to better grip and glide on the shorter skis, and better wax.

Jean Harmon of Buxton was visiting Harris Farm for a Demo day. “I am trying a pair of Karhu that are very smooth and fast, they glide beautifully,” said Harmon. “The new skis have better balance, and because they are shorter in length they are easier to control.”

Harmon said, “I am afraid I would hurt myself downhill skiing. I think cross-country is so much safer and better for you aerobically. I like that you can do it for an hour or two and feel energized.”

Freeman said, “I have given up downhill skiing because it has gotten to be expensive and crowded. With Nordic you can get out into the quiet countryside and hear the birds and really enjoy nature. Of course, Nordic skiing is so good for your overall fitness, and it is easier on the environment.”

Jeff Hurwilch of Rossignol Nordic said, “There is not a single better sport for your body. Nordic skiing uses your legs, your arms, and your abdominal muscles. It is the ultimate cardiovascular and aerobic workout.”

After two hours on the groomed trails, we were well exercised, but not sore or cold. We are not hanging up our downhill boards and crossing over to cross-country. But our family is pleased to add skinny skiing to our winter outdoor repertoire.

In fact, now my daughter wants to try ski-jouring, since she thinks the sport can only be improved with a dog team to pull her up those hills.

Events: The Moonlit Charity Challenge Race is Friday, Jan. 31 at Shawnee Peak. This 8th annual fun on-snow fundraiser benefits Camp Sunshine, and the grand prize is a ski trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Conditions: Maine ski areas are experiencing an excellent ski season. January’s cold temperatures and considerable snowfall have set us up for a great February on the slopes. Cross-country conditions at Maine’s 14 centers are superb as well.

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“Shawnee, Maine’s elder statesman celebrates milestone”

Jan. 19, 2003

If ski areas could qualify for senior citizen benefits, then Shawnee Peak would be looking for full social security benefits this month. But Maine’s original ski mountain has no plans for retirement.

The ski area turns 65 on Jan. 23, and will celebrate as the longest continuous ski operation in Maine.

It all started in the early 1930’s when adventurous locals scouted out the skiable slopes, cow pastures at the time, on Pleasant Mountain. In 1936, Bridgton Academy students and some town residents got out the shears and cut some crude trails.

The following year, thanks to efforts of Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, “Way-She-Go” trail was cleared from top to bottom. This is now the signature Jack Spratt run, one of the most scenic trails in the state.

Over 500 hardy skiers celebrated the official opening of the trail served by an 1,100-foot rope tow on Jan. 23, 1938.

The Pleasant Mountain Ski Club, still in operation today, was formed in 1943 by a group of Portland ski enthusiasts including Russ Haggett and Jack Spratt. Haggett was named ski area manager in 1946, a position he held for over 30 years.

Pleasant Mountain has been the site of many Maine firsts, the first T-bar was installed in 1953, and the first chairlift in 1955.

During the ski boom of the 60’s, Pleasant Mountain was hosting 2,000 skiers on weekends.

The 1970’s brought expansion to the popular and sunny East Area. The 70’s were all about freestyle at Pleasant. Ski film icon Greg Stump and mogul Olympian LeeLee Morrison are a few Pleasant prodigies who did their first tip stands on these slopes under the tutelage of Swiss Reudi Wyrsch followed by local Bruce Cole.

The least “Pleasant” times were probably during the snow-draught of 1980 when the ski area opened for a mere seven days all winter. The following winter, obviously needed snowmaking was installed.

In 1982, Ed Rock came to Pleasant Mountain from Okemo in Vermont to manage the ski area. “We were ahead of the curve with snowmaking at the time, switching to HDK tower guns before Sunday River and Sugarloaf,” said Rock.

In the ensuing years, Rock experienced challenges including low snow years and a base lodge fire, plus ownership changes. “It has been quite a ride. What makes this place so great is that every department head comes back every season.”

Rock credits long-time staffers including: Mike and Scott Harmon of mountain operations, Rich Jennings who has been rental manager for over 20 years, and Sonny Davis of ski patrol and his wife Mary who works in food service.

In 1988, the Shawnee Group bought the area and infused $2 million, including lights on 70% of the mountain to make it “New England’s largest night skiing facility.” The Pennsylvania based group also renamed Pleasant to Shawnee Peak, to the “raised eyebrows of many locals,” according to Rock.

In 1994, Shawnee Peak returned to Maine ownership with the purchase by Chet Homer, of Kennebunk. “I wanted to try something different in the recreational sport industry, having grown up in sports,” said Homer.

Under Homer’s ownership, the mid to late 90’s were a time of improved snowmaking, upgrading of lifts, and terrain expansion. “In my tenure, we have added 3 lifts, 6 trails, and doubled the pumping capacity for snowmaking,” said Homer.

Homer sites the ice storm of January 1998 as the biggest challenge he has encountered, when the ski area was shut down for 10 days including the big revenue weekend of the Martin Luther King holiday.

“Our fundamental philosophy has always been to reinvest in the mountain,” said Homer. “Sometimes that meant no salary for me, and putting money in each summer even when we did not have a good winter, particularly after the ice storm winter.”

Shawnee Peak is now the third largest ski area in Maine, with 120,000 skier visits a year. Thousands of school children come to Shawnee Peak each week after school to learn to ski with recreational and race club programs.

A consumer-friendly gesture in recent years has been to hold and even lower prices for consumers, in an industry where costs and consequently prices are climbing alongside the high-speed lifts at other resorts.

Some of Shawnee Peak’s price breaks include Monday night skiing for $10, or Sunday afternoon tickets for $20. The view from the summit of the White Mountains to the northwest and Moose Pond below is - priceless.

On the rise at Shawnee Peak are season pass sales. “We have been converting ticket holders to season passes, and we are seeing an increase in pass sales,” said Rock.

Shawnee Peak does not have high-speed lifts, which may be part of the charm of the family-friendly area. Skiers and riders have a quad, two triples, a double and a handle tow. 99% of the terrain is covered by snowmaking.

Glade trails, terrain parks and a lighted halfpipe have been added, plus improved learning trails, to round out Shawnee Peak’s offerings in recent years.

This season, Shawnee Peak has had several storms delivering natural snow, including three and a half feet since Christmas – allowing 39 trails and glades to be open.

Rock said of Shawnee Peak’s anniversary party scheduled for next weekend, “We want to include everyone in our 65th celebration. We welcome all our season pass holders because they are the reason for the ski area’s success.”

Events: For details on Shawnee Peak’s 65th celebration weekend Jan. 24-26, including a free concert on Friday night, an on snow mountain bike downhill race on Saturday, and an anniversary cocktail party at Blizzard’s Pub on Saturday night, visit Shawneepeak.com or call 647-8444.

Conditions: Most of this month’s winter storms have tracked south of Maine’s northern ski areas. But cold temperatures have allowed for optimum snowmaking conditions throughout the state and excellent skiing at most Maine areas.

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“Positives plentiful for skiers at Sunday River”

January 12, 2003

 

In my four years of writing this column, I have never featured Maine’s most popular ski area, Sunday River. Most Maine downhill fans have ventured to this diverse ski resort, just an hour and a half north of Portland.

Still some have yet to discover this mega-mountain. A few Sugarloaf devotees shun The River, turning their nose up at the lower elevation and shorter runs. Sunday River’s runs are modest in length; 1,200-feet vertical on average, but you can rack up plenty of vertical riding the modern, well-located 18-lift system.

And the lower elevation can be beneficial, protecting lifts and trails from fierce winter winds (Loafers should appreciate that).

And then there is the snow. When you host the most skiers in Maine, you better have some dependable snow to hold up underneath.

Sunday River has actually trademarked their snow, which is extremely dry and light, like talcum powder cushioning your boards. 92 percent of the 663 acres of terrain can be covered by the exceptional snowmaking, and they blow it out generously with over 550 tower guns.

For those of you who have not made the winter pilgrimage, here is a mountain tour.

The first good view of the ski area comes as you the drive by the Sunday River Inn. There is the White Heat trail tempting you in all its steepness. As you continue up the access road, you begin to get a sense of Sunday River’s size. You pass entrances to White Cap and Barker base areas, but South Ridge is the hub for all the skier services (the ticket concourse, rentals, ski school, childcare, ski shop).

South Ridge is the “Mixing Bowl” – the mountain even has a trail so named. Ski school congregates at South Ridge, since the very moderately sloped runs are perfect for new skiers and riders. A high-speed quad accesses this mellow terrain or whisks you up to the more advanced slopes on the surrounding eight peaks.

Spruce Peak, served by a triple reached from South Ridge, delivers two meticulously groomed blue square choices, Ricky Business and American Express – great start your day trails. The lower half of American Express is now dedicated to a high-end terrain park, but you can ski the sides if you are not up for huge air. Downdraft is Spruce’s short but steep black-diamond bump alternative.

North Peak has a detachable quad accessing wonderful cruisers like blue Escapade and aptly name, green circle Dream Maker. North Peak also offers a modest intermediate bump run, 3-D, and new this season, Enchanted Forest is an animated glade trail with a Tipi for kids to ski thru.

From the top of North Peak or Spruce, head to Aurora via mellow Sirius or Paradigm, or steeper Quantum Leap. Aurora Peak is a quieter stash of trails with a variety of challenges like Vortex, Airglow, Black Hole (which some argue is the steepest, albeit brief, pitch on the mountain) or the glades of Celestial. Northern Lights is the intermediate choice, that leads toward Oz and the popular Jordan Bowl.

This brings to light a frequent complaint of un-initiated Sunday River skiers, that they find themselves traversing often. If you study the trail map (which you should have handy) you can see that although Sunday River’s terrain is spread out over three miles, it is brilliantly laid out with a lift pod accessing each of the eight peaks.

As you work your way across the resort, only ski from one mountain (or lift pod) to the next. This achieves a good vertical run each time. Sounds like common sense, but if you find yourself doing the Sunday River shuffle,” point ‘em down to the next lift and make some turns.

Oz Peak, the highest of all at 3,140-feet, has plenty of hardy double black diamonds, from the lift line Ruby Palace to the glades of Tin Woodsman and Flying Monkey. More open but peppered with interesting rolls and knolls are Lost Princess, Eureka and Emerald City. Don’t you love these names?

Jordan Bowl, the furthest west of the ski area, captures the hearts of many. The speedy quad gets you nice long runs, and the summit views of Mount Washington are outstanding. While you are in the Bowl, ski the 1.5-mile Lollapalooza - an ego pleaser. Kids like to duck into Blind Ambition for a little glade action. You can also ski to the Jordan Grand Hotel for a hot cocoa break at the Northern Light’s deli from “Lolla.”

Excalibur and Rogue Angel are both undulating, thrilling trails, usually impeccably groomed and often dusted with freshly made snow. To get your heart rate up, try iCarumba under the lift or Wizard’s Gulch for woodsy wildness.

Once replete with Jordan and Oz, you must face the inevitable Kansas to ski back toward North Peak. A tip: shorten your haul back and get a quality run by dropping into Aurora basin and return via the “bail out” Quantum Leap triple chair.

If your tummy is grumbling now, North Peak is a bright spacious mid-mountain lodge with good cafeteria fare. Or splurge for table service at the fun and festive Foggy Goggle at South Ridge base, my preference.

Barker Mountain is the most popular peak with its central location. The Barker quad launches you over a pond, an amusement in itself, and accesses River originals like Sunday Punch and Monday Mourning. Right Stuff and Top Gun are great fall-line choices and Agony is a classic lift line trail, putting your mogul talent (or lack of) on exhibition.

When the Barker quad gets busy, head to the Locke Mountain triple, which brings you to yet another, higher peak. T2 is a fantastic, scenic summit trail. From here you can make a long run down Tempest or Wildfire all the way to the White Cap base.

If a late lunch is your thing, Bumps serves good burgers and pub fare while The Grand Summit’s Moonstruck Café is a neat spot for sandwiches. The rarely busy Tempest quad gets you a run over to the White Heat quad. If this were a best for last scenario, then you have finally arrived at the longest, steepest, widest trail in the East – White Heat.

Neighboring Shockwave is missed by many, since it’s tucked to the skiers’ right of the more acclaimed trail. I am most fond of Shockwave’s steep, winding pitches. You can exit the White Cap Peak area when your legs start to quiver by taking Salvation or Obsession to Heats Off.

A signature departure route is the meandering Three-Mile Trail or Lazy River from the top of Barker. Or if you still have some mettle, slide into Last Tango from a tree ski dance.

The River devotes considerable resources to terrain parks and pipes; the trail map is dotted with Smiley face icons to indicate their locations. Who-ville, Starlight, and Rocking Horse have mounting degrees of hits, spines and rails to play in. There is a mini half-pipe at South Ridge, while the Superpipe, with its huge curved walls, is on lower Monday Mourning.

Sunday River claims, “It’s not unusual for a Sunday River skier to get in 20 or more runs per day, even on weekends.” I will verify that is not marketing hooey, but truth. On a recent holiday weekend, my family garnered over 30 runs and 40,000-vertical. All you need is a plan and a trail map to accomplish such a knee weary day.

In summary, we Mainers are fortunate to have an area with such vast terrain, blanketed by one of the best snowmaking systems in the east, and accessed by an impressive lift system.

Events: Maine Students can ski or ride Titcomb on Fridays from 5pm – 9pm for just $6, simply show Maine student ID from your college, high school, middle, or elementary school.

Conditions: Maine’s slopes are covered with base depths of one to six feet of snow, allowing the majority of trails to be open. The bottom line - superb conditions prevail.

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“Maine’s skiing past filled with innovations”

January 5, 2003

Devil’s Den, Paradise Park, SkyHy, Wits End, Black Cat and White Bunny. These sound like trendy names for ski resort terrain parks, but these are in fact names of Maine ski areas now defunct.

Did you know that at one time Maine sported over 50 ski areas? Not only was skiing big in Maine – Maine played a major role in the development of skiing, from Bass’s first waterproof ski boots, to Paris-made snowshoes and skis.

Portland boat builder turned ski maker, Theodore Johnson, wrote the first book on the skiing titled “The Winter Sport of Skiing” in 1905.

Mainers truly owe their thanks to the Swedish settlers of the 1870’s for introducing skiing. Swedes were lured to Maine by a legislative promise of land, 100 acres per homesteader. These hardy Swedish immigrants knew all about long snowy winters and hard work – so the offer of land ownership in Aroostook County was rich with possibilities.

Along with energy for settling the heavily wooded land, the Swedes brought their unique “skidor” to travel over the deep snow. The Swedes made their own boards out of ash, the ideal hardwood for constructing skis.

These long thin skis (as much as 10 feet) had a distinct tip that resembled the bow of a ship. The pointed tips had holes so they could be fastened together to make a sled for pulling loads through the snow.

Another special design feature, the two wooden skis were uneven in length. The “pushing ski” was six inches shorter than the so-called “gliding ski.” A mere leather toe loop held the skier’s boot in place on each ski.

Paris Manufacturing sold their first skis in 1905. The eight-foot long wooden skis sold for $7, poles were under a dollar. Tubbs’ built snowshoes and skis at their original Norway plant.

In 1916 Poland Spring offered cross-country skiing and jumping. The Bethel Inn also began offering snowshoeing and tobogganing to winter visitors.

Then came the excitement of Winter Carnival, the first ever held in Portland took place in 1921. It was a showcase of early winter daredevils and ski enthusiasts demonstrating their stunts at sliding and gliding down snow hills. Jumps were constructed and people gathered to watch ski jumping, tobogganing and skiing.

During the roaring 20’s, winter carnivals in Maine’s major cities became a way to celebrate the long cold season. Ski trains to Poland Springs, the Bethel Inn, and Fryeburg gave city folk the chance to give this new sport a try.

“Along The Snow Trail” debuted in the Portland Press Herald in 1936. This weekly section of the newspaper was dedicated to Maine skiing news, including articles on snow sports and advertisements for weekend snow trains to Maine’s ski mountains.

By the late 30’s, Portland residents could hop a train to Jockey Cap in Fryeburg and grab hold of Maine’s first rope tow.

Hussey Manufacturing in North Berwick, who now designs seats for major stadiums including Foxboro, designed Nordic ski jumps and chairlifts in the 1930’s.

During the Depression, Roosevelt commissioned the Civilian Conservation Corps to cut ski trails in Maine at Pleasant Mountain, Bigelow and the Camden Hills.

Mount Desert Island had sufficient skiers to justify operating two rope tows and night skiing. McFarland Practice Slope and Mt. Desert Outing Club operated from the 1930’s to the 1970’s.

Sky Hy Park in Topsham opened for skiing in 1939. There were 10 trails and a 700’ T-bar plus a beginner towrope powered by an old car engine. Stroudwater, named for the River, offered skiing near Portland.

Hurricane Ski Slopes opened in Falmouth in 1947 and operated until the early 1970’s. It served as a training hill for the Yarmouth High School Ski Team in its later years.

Next-door at Poplar Ridge in Falmouth, there wasn’t much of a pitch but the hill filled a niche introducing people to sliding down snow on boards in the 1960’s. Once skiers got the basics, they could head to steeper Hurricane Mountain and eventually make the train trip to Maine’s bigger western mountains.

Blackstrap Slope in Cumberland, Wits End in Wiscasset, and White Bunny in Fort Fairfield are a few of the start up ski hills that did not last, but served their purpose of getting people out on the hills to learn this new winter sport.

Biddeford had its own community-operated rope tow at Rotary Park. This rope tow was revitalized when it was moved to North Berwick to become part of Bauneg Beg Ski Trails.

Winter enthusiasts in Kennebunk would head for Kimball’s Hill in the 1960’s. A free rope tow run by car engine would yank skiers up the hill, and then they would ski down to the edge of the Mousam River.

Mount Agamenticus, elevation 692-feet, was southern Maine’s only ski area from 1966 to 1974. It was an upside down mountain, since skiers started the day by driving to the summit and skiing down any of a dozen trails. Mt. A, as it was abbreviated, sold $4 lift tickets in the early 70’s to ride the 2,500-foot chairlift, the 1,300-foot T-bar and the rope tow.

Enchanted Mountain opened in Jackman in 1966. It was referred to as “Switzerland in Maine” within its promotional material because of its views of the mountains and Moosehead Lake. Unfortunately due to its remote location, it closed after eight years of operation.

While many of Maine’s ski areas are now faded and hushed, the past can still be seen and heard. The Ski Museum of Maine in Kingfield is working to preserve significant photos and artifacts, and to record the oral history of our state’s rich skiing heritage.

“First Tracks” by Glenn Parkinson, former Maine Sunday Telegram Ski Columnist, is a wonderful compilation on Maine’s skiing heritage. This book, along with other ski memorabilia, is available at The New England Ski Museum located at the base of Cannon Mountain.

The website, www.nelsap.org , categorizes lost ski areas of New England, including information on Maine’s skiing past.

Events: Jan. 10 Lost Valley hosts “Turn till Twelve” this Friday, you can ski or ride until midnight under the lights.

Conditions: Conditions across the state vary widely, with areas reporting as little as 6% to 100% of terrain open. You may want to check out www.skimaine.com or call their snow phone at 773-SNOW. My family and I enjoyed the freshly made Sunday River “signature snow” on double diamond Shockwave, Agony and dozens of other trails last weekend.