Maine Sunday Telegram - SKIING

2001/02 Season Columns - 

March 2002

 

 

“Winter Was Here – You Just Had To Chase It Down”

March 31, 2002

By Heather Burke

 

After last season’s epic winter, it is easy to dismiss this ski season as rather snow deprived and incomparable.

 

But that would be a mistake. Those who have ignored the backyard phenomenon, and ventured to the mountains in search of skiing – have found some memorable days on the slopes.

 

Last weekend, the first weekend of spring, brought up to a foot of light mid-winter powder to Maine’s slopes, a reward for those who refused to give up on the ski season. More snow this week is further indication that the best skiing of the season may be still to come.

 

My family’s ski season, like that of many Mainers, was slow out of the gates. Our first scheduled weekend was an Eastern Ski Writers conference Dec.1. The host resort, Killington, cancelled the event due to “a lack of snow.” This was a disappointment, as was the following weekend – when we decided against a trek to the hills, as Maine’s primary resorts had minimal terrain open and smaller hills were closed.

 

By Christmas week, reports from Maine’s major slopes were positive. We skied five splendid days over Christmas week at Sunday River.

 

The man-made base covered half of their extensive trail network, and all eight peaks were open. They pumped out their patented Sunday River snow all day and night, adding terrain daily. The temperatures were unseasonably mild, 30 degrees in December is downright balmy.

 

January brought a few small snowstorms to the mountains, but snowmaking was the name of the game. The second Sunday in January brought a whopping six inches of fresh snow. It felt like the storm of the century, due to the otherwise lean snow accumulation.

 

My kids commented on how quiet their skis were as we glided over the newly fallen snow. After a month of skiing “under the guns,” the soft silent snow and the absence of snowmaking racket were relished.

 

We snuck out west to Colorado mid-January, and I will resist telling you about those conditions. Reports here in Maine were that Martin Luther King weekend was very good skiing and extremely well-attended.

 

We made an early February visit to Big Squaw, and found that this Greenville ski resort had been receiving sufficient snowfall while we coast dwellers were getting rain. We had great skiing and found all their trails were open, including steep double black diamond offerings and twisty glades.

 

For the kids’ school vacation, we drove 6 hours north to Quebec’s Charlevoix region in search of winter conditions. We skied Le Grand Fonds and Le Massif. We found Le Massif’s parking lot was brimming with Maine license plates, we also found more winter.

 

On our last vacation day in Quebec, Mont Sainte Anne’s snow turned to rain. Even this far north, the unseasonable weather had caught up to us.

 

Our first ski day in March was one of record runs, 27 all tolled and over 35,000 vertical, on freshly made Sunday River snow. Our hats were off, figuratively and literally (since it was 35 degrees), to the snow makers for coating the legendary White Heat trail with several fresh feet of their consistent talcum powder.

 

It is impressive to see snowmaking operations in full force when many resorts are turning off their compressors until next November.

 

We also continue to be amazed by the number of ski runs you can knock off at Sunday River due to the efficient, well-placed lists.

 

Unfortunately, that night snow turned to rain. This same phenomenon occurred the following weekend – glorious 55-degree spring skiing on Saturday, followed by Saturday night rain and a Sunday freeze up - making snow conditions rather “glacial.”

 

To be honest, we skipped a trip to the mountains on St Patrick’s weekend. Friends who skied at four separate Maine resorts, and others from around New England reported that conditions that weekend were consistently “awful.” Sorry I missed it.

 

Obviously, some of our ski plans were thwarted this year due to warm spells and lack of snow. Many skiers and riders had stored their boards for the season, but we refused to give up or give in.

 

Winter ended on the calendar last week but spring arrived just in time with Maine’s best snowfalls of the season. We journeyed to Saddleback where we were greeted with 8 inches of windblown powder on Saturday.

 

We had fresh tracks all day on Saddleback’s classic trails like Gunslinger, Silver Bullet and Nightmare Glades. Sunday morning brought another 6 inches of fluffy powder and more untracked runs.

 

Saddleback owners showed the ski area to several potential buyers during last weekend’s ideal conditions. Owner Kitty Breen said, “We are very pleased with the level of interest. We are encouraged by the visions some prospective buyers have shared. Some of the ideas are extremely exciting for Saddleback and Maine.”

 

“The original plan for the ski area was to develop the Horn Bowl’s 8,000 acres which is a seven-mile natural mountain bowl with 4,000’peaks,” said Breen. “In the right hands, someone with more money, Saddleback could become the largest ski area in the North East, possibly in North America.”

 

Today we are at Sugarloaf, where it is our family’s tradition to spend Easter weekend. Many have dubbed Sugarloaf “The King of Spring,” and I totally agree. In late March and April, this northern Maine ski area is blessed with sunshine, softening snow, and an extremely festive atmosphere.

 

We will pop in on Sunday River’s ode to spring mogul bash, the Bust n’ Burn April 6-7. And we plan to return to Sugarloaf to wrap up our ski season later in April.

 

Our family foursome has 32 days on the slopes logged to date. We will likely fall a few shy of our annual goal of 40.

 

Based purely on your bereft backyard, you could easily assume that winter didn’t happen. But for those of us who ventured out, and continue to, there was, and still is, as much fun to be had this season as any.

 

By next winter, the landscape of Maine skiing could change dramatically, with Saddleback for sale ($12-million) and Newry-based American Skiing Company struggling under a heavy debt load, having been de-listed from the New York Stock Exchange earlier this month.

 

This past week, A.S.C. backed out of the $90 million Steamboat sale at the last minute (prospective buyer and Okemo owner Tim Mueller was stood up at the closing). Instead, A.S.C. signed a deal to unload Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly Valley Ski Resort to Vail Resorts for $102 million.

 

Events: Sugarloaf’s Reggaefest weekend is April 4-7. Sugarloaf will honor spring lift ticket prices of  $26 starting Monday, April 8, until closing.

 

April 13 at Sunday River wear a swimsuit, participate in a photo shoot and make a donation to the Maine Conservation School to ski free.  Sunday River will also host their annual free skiing and riding April 28 and May 1- the scheduled closing day.

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“Spring Snow: Too Little, Too Late For Some Smaller Ski Areas”

March 24, 2002

By Heather Burke

 

Apparently we had to wait until spring to have a winter snowstorm. Just when most had given up on Mother Nature, she came through with some white flakes this week, dumping almost two feet in the mountains.

 

Portland received five times more snow on March 20, during the first hours of spring, (5.6 inches) than during the entire month of February (1.1 inches).

 

Portland has seen just 30.5’ of snow all winter, which includes Wednesday night’s 5.6 inches, according to WMTW meteorologist Russ Marley. In a “normal winter,” Portland would have received 65” of snow by this same date. Last year 86.2” had been recorded.

 

While fresh snow and a return to colder temps is just what the doctor ordered at Maine’s big ski resorts, it may be too little too late for many smaller ski areas.

 

After last season’s bountiful snowfall and a record 1,334,290 skier days at Maine ski areas, here is a look at how areas have faired so far this season. 

 

Camden Snow Bowl closed for the season March 10. “It’s somewhat earlier than expected, but there is bare ground and an early spring most places,” said Chip Taylor, Camden Snow Bowl General Manager. “At least we don't have to drag out the season when many start thinking of other things, and our traffic drops off dramatically.”

 

“We hung on by thin ice to make our scheduled closing date,” said Connie King, Lost Valley General Manger. Lost Valley ended their season on March 17, with special customer appreciation $3 lift tickets. “We closed at the same time as usual, just with less snow.”

 

Titcomb Mountain closed March 10, a week ahead of schedule. “Our planned closing was March 17,” said Megan Roberts, General Manager. “Titcomb had a profitable season. Day tickets were down slightly due to the shorter season and less snowfall, however membership passes were up.”

 

“We were ahead of last season up until mid March,” said Josh Burns, owner of Mt. Abram. “Things were going great for us, we have seen a lot of new families this winter. Now skier interest has waned.” Mt. Abram will continue with Thurs.-Sun. operation through March 31.

 

“It is the ‘backyard effect’ that hurts us,” said Melissa Rock of Shawnee Peak Communications. “January and February are only slightly behind last year. Add in December and March and we are quite a bit behind.” Shawnee Peak had hoped to stay open until March 31, but is closing for the season today at 5:00pm.

 

“We are still skiing,” said Trish Chase, Front Desk Manager at Big Squaw. “Last season we stayed open until April 8, we aren’t sure if we will make it that far this year.” The Greenville ski area has suspended mid-week operation, and will be open weekends only.

 

“Traditionally we are open until the first week of April,” said Terry Thompson, Saddleback Office Manager. “Easter is early this year, and our big Bronco Buster challenge event is March 30. We hope to stay open until April 7.”

 

“In addition to an early close, Camden Snow Bowl had a late start to the season, but it's not all gloom and doom. Day tickets sales were reasonable, and season passes were way up, so it all averages out,” said Taylor.

 

“We had a pretty good season all things considered,” said Lost Valley’s King. “It was hard to compete with last season’s great snow, but we did okay with business this year,”

 

This season Sunday River opened Nov.10, six days ahead of the previous year and Sugarloaf opened Nov. 14. However, the resorts struggled to increase terrain and remain open during December’s unseasonably warm temperatures. Many Maine ski areas were unable to open until Christmas week.

 

“The season started off very slowly, which accounts for some of the reason skier visits are slightly down compared with last year,” said Susan Duplessis of Sunday River Communications. “Also our budget of projected skier visits was based on the expectation of a normal winter, rather than the one we’ve had.”

 

“Without the winter snowstorms to generate interest, our mid-week skier visits are down,” said Thompson of Saddleback. “We received 6-8 inches this week to soften conditions. We have faired pretty well because it has been surprisingly cold up here. We have a 10-50 inch base depth and about 90% of our trails open. It’s the perception that’s the problem.”

 

“Last week, one of our condominium owners told me he was driving home early to the Cape to play golf on Sunday instead of staying for skiing,” said Thompson. “That tells you what’s going on in skiers’ minds this time of year.”

 

Last March, Sugarloaf received over 7 feet of snow, and over 21 feet for the season. This year, with the help of over a foot of snow in the last week, The Loaf has received less than 12 feet.

 

Before this past week’s snow, trail counts at Sunday River and Sugarloaf had fallen below 100. Now the majority of trails are open. Both resorts have continued to make snow well into March to prolong their season.

 

Sugarloaf’s John Andrews said, “As long as temps permit and conditions warrant snowmaking, we’ll go ahead and do so.”

 

The Loaf has a long-standing tradition of Easter festivities, followed by the sell-out 14^th annual Reggaefest celebration April 4-7 which brings in up to 10,000 visitors, and their big spring party is April 13-14.

 

“We have the most aggressive events calendar in the spring of any Eastern resort, so we plan to be skiing well into April,” said Cheryl Fullerton of Sugarloaf Communications.

 

“We are still on target to stay open until May 1,” said Duplessis. “Sunday River has the same base depths on snowmaking trails as last year with all natural snow. We’ve made 2,222 acres of one-foot over versus last season’s total of 2,027. ”

 

Sunday River’s 15th Annual Bust n’ Burn competition is April 6-7. The weekend mogul competition traditionally draws 225 amateurs and upwards of 500 spectators. The resort has added pond skimming and a “best margarita” competition to the event in hopes of broadening the appeal. Also the venue will be moved to the Barker base, which is where operations are consolidated in early and late season.

 

“We noticed a recent drop in call volume, so we are definitely entering a challenging period,” said Duplessis. “We’ll be working hard to let the marketplace know that winter still exists at Sunday River.”

 

Events: This is the time of year that ski areas pull out the big events to keep skier excitement peaked. Easter is an on-slope celebration with zany races, egg hunts and sunrise services at many ski areas. I’ll be at The Loaf myself, but the Bronco Buster Event at Saddleback is tempting.

 

Conditions: The calendar now reads spring, but winter has finally arrived bringing packed powder to Maine’s major ski areas.

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“So Called “Sickest Event in the East” Lives Up To Name”

March 17, 2002

by Heather Burke

 

I have witnessed the X-Games in Aspen and the Freeskiing Championships in Vail, as well as skiercross and boardercross events here in Maine. Although these unorthodox events get neither my approval (as a mother of two skiers) nor my endorsement (as a conservative two planker), they certainly “grab” my attention.

 

So when I heard about the self-proclaimed “Sickest Event in the East,” at Jay Peak, my curiosity was peaked and I felt obliged to check it out. What could be so “sick” about the 2^nd Annual Glade and Chute Bash at this northern Vermont ski resort?

 

“This is a big event that brings out the true character of this mountain,” said Bill Stenger, President of Jay Peak Resort. “It is an event that not many resorts would dare hold.”

 

The line up of eager participants formed at 7:15am last Saturday. Of the 82 entrants, just 8 were women (the saner of the sexes perhaps). They came from Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, even as far away as Whistler, B.C. and Crested Butte, CO.

 

Helmets are a must for all bash participants. Sounds like common sense, but it’s a requirement of Boeri helmets - an event sponsor, along with Salomon and Smith.

 

Participants receive a goodie bag including 2 cans of Red Bull- the Austrian power drink, chocolate Pop Tarts, and a Cliff Bar. Is this the breakfast of champions or a slopeside diet for disaster, I wondered?

 

When I saw “The Face” where skiers, riders and telemarkers would compete, it became clear to me why the event is deemed “sick.” The Face Chute starts just below the panoramic summit of Jay Peak, directly under the 60 passenger aerial Tram.

 

The Face is extremely steep, peppered with 20-foot cliffs, stumps, and a few narrow tree-lined chutes, hence the name “Glade and Chute Bash.” Skiers are judged on degree of difficulty of their chosen line, aggressiveness, fluidity, control and technique. Creativity is encouraged and, from what I observed, big air is also popular.

 

Tony Karwowski, Jay Peak event coordinator said, “Last year’s event was powder, with 8 inches of fresh snow. Today, it warmed up to 55 degrees, making it a spring skiing event, which presents its own challenges.”

 

During the first round, the three judges posted at the bottom of the run determined the 25 skiers worthy to compete in the finals. There were plenty of crashes that naturally thinned the pack. For many, it was one or two high-speed turns followed by a little air off a rock, punctuated by a giant wipe out.

 

Dan Egan, instructor of extreme ski clinics said, “Some kids were just coming in to the chutes too hot on their first run, and they crashed big time.”

 

Micky Doheny, Ski School Director at Jay Peak since 1981, said, “This event is terrific, but it’s hard to watch. I had to ski away. These kids were just being too sick.”

 

“Last year we didn’t have to bring anyone down in sleds. But this year everyone went all out and skied hard,” said Ski Patrol Director Peg Doheny. She reported four injuries out of the 82 entries, “That’s one in twenty, not good statistically.”

 

East Coast Free Ride champion Asia Magriby said, “I have been skiing Jay Peak since I was five. I have traveled all over with the World Tour and this is the best mountain on the East Coast. This is an awesome event, and Jay is the only place with the terrain to put it on.”

 

Magriby put down a fantastic second run, charging down The Face to win her second annual event with a score a full three points higher than the other five qualifying women competitors.

 

Dana Drummond of Conway, N.H., won the men’s telemark division. “I used to race alpine. This event is so much more exciting than any alpine race, especially for spectators,” said Drummond. “I won new tele-boards, which I can really use after skiing rocks all season.”

 

Nick Yim of Sugarbush, Vermont, won the men’s ski category by adeptly launching over the entire face cliff, a really crowd pleasing jump of over 30 feet.

 

John Nicoletta, a Sugarloaf skier, went the distance to qualify and place fifth overall.

 

Jay Peak is located at the northern tip of the Green Mountains just minutes from the Canadian border. Jay has carved out a niche by expanding upper end terrain and creating the largest glade network in the East.

 

Jay Peak receives more snow than any other Eastern ski resort, a claim I was dubious of until I visited last weekend. We passed Vermont farms with green fields, but as we started up the access road the snow banks grew exponentially.

 

In this less than generous snow winter, Jay has ample snow covering the entire mountain thanks to their meteorological “Jay Cloud” effect. Its northern location and base elevation of nearly 2,000’ are certainly two contributing factors.

 

Jay Peak Resort has a 285-acre trail system, plus over 100 acres of glades and off-piste terrain. The modern lift system includes the high-speed Green Mountain Flyer quad serving 2,000 vertical feet and the 7-minute base to summit Tram system.

 

Despite Jay’s reputation for steep and snowy glades and chutes, the ski area is manageable in size with plenty of blue runs and special programs for families.

 

Jay’s modest resort base offers accommodations varying from the affordable Hotel Jay to luxurious new slopeside condominiums.

 

Was the event as “sick” as promoted? Having watched these daredevil Gen X’ers hurl themselves off the rock face, I would say it is.

 

End result, I discovered another New England ski area with tons of snow, an efficient lift system and truly unique tree skiing.

 

Conditions: Last weekend’s thaw resulted in considerable snow losses across New England, Maine resorts were no exception. Sugarloaf and Sunday River continue to make snow when possible to assure skiing well into April. Some smaller Maine ski hills have closed for the season. Call me an optimist, snow is in the long-term forecast and the ski season is far from over.

 

Events: Shawnee Peak has a St. Patrick's afternoon special today. Ski or ride from
12:30-5pm, March 17 for just $17, followed by après ski with live entertainment in Blizzard's Pub.

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“Now’s The Time To Ski The Canadian Rockies”

March 10, 2002

by Heather Burke

 

Remember last March, when we were having a year for the record books here in Maine. That’s when we visited the Canadian Rockies. They were having a minimal snow year, their first snow draught in five decades. This year, Banff is getting the snow. Now is the time to go.

 

Even last year, we enjoyed Banff’s phenomenal scenery, wildlife, and vast skiing, complimented by superb accommodations and dining. The exchange rate made our dollar seem like Monopoly money. My husband Greg loved it when he bought a beer, gave a $20 (US) bill and got $24 (CDN) in change.

 

We flew from Boston across Canada, bound for Calgary, Alberta, the eastern entrance to the Canadian Rockies and host of the 1988 Winter Olympics.

 

“The purpose of your visit?” the Customs Official routinely asked upon our arrival. “Pleasure,” “Skiing,” Greg and I each eagerly volunteered.

 

“I go to the mountains myself in the summer, just beautiful,” he responded. Different strokes, I think to myself. For we had come for five days of skiing at three distinct resorts boasting 220 trails on 7,500 lift-serviced acres.

 

Our first glimpse of the legendary Canadian Rockies was during the hour drive into Banff National Park, Canada’s first and still most popular park.

 

Our first alpine stop was Banff Mount Norquay, just 10 twisty turny minutes above the quaint town of Banff. This is the oldest ski area in Western Canada, dating back to 1926.

 

Norquay was the first ski area to receive black diamond trial designation, for the steep Lone Pine Trail. In 1948, the North American Trail was considered the steepest alpine ski trail on the continent.

 

While those accolades have since been eclipsed, Norquay remains current. With the addition of 3 quads, 90% snowmaking, guaranteed grooming, and a majestic timber lodge serving great food, Norquay is a ski area not to be missed. Lacking the big name of Lake Louise and Sunshine, it also does not have the lift lines or crowds. This is the place to be on weekends.

 

We skied copious cruisers off the Pathfinder high-speed quad, then headed for the moguled steeps of the notorious Lone Pine trail reached by an intrepid double chair.

 

By noon, we had carved plenty of turns on what felt like our private ski mountain. With the wallet-friendly Ski by the Hour ticket options, $25 Canadian for two hours of prime skiing, we calculated $2 per run (just over a buck U.S.)

 

For our second day of skiing, we drove 45 minutes from Banff to Lake Louise, the largest single ski area in Canada with 4,200 acres, 3,365’ vertical of skiing, and arguably the most impressive views in the world.

 

Lake Louise encompasses four mountain faces, and six bowls on the backside. The scenery of glacially cut dolomite summits that jut sharply into the blue sky in every direction is amazing.

 

As we ascended the first Glacier Express quad, I was longing to glide down the freshly groomed boulevards below. Dave, our mountain guide from Quebec City, had other ideas since Greg insisted that we did not want “the usual blue square tour.”

 

Next came the aptly named Top of The World Express quad that launched us to 8,300’ and accessed the back bowls. Dave informed us that one more lift would get us to the “real summit.”

 

Up the thigh burning Summit Platter lift we preceded, a precarious poma that warrants double black diamond status for its 45% climb. At last, we were at the magnificent pinnacle, with hardly time to catch our breath as Dave shot down the steep Whitehorn Bowl.

 

We skied bowl after bowl, mogul fields, glades, and at last Dave succumbed to a few relaxing groomed runs on the frontside. By lunch, we had logged 22,000 vertical feet according to Greg’s new Vertech Altimeter. I caught a nod of approval from Dave as we stopped for lunch at the splendid Lodge of the Ten Peaks.

 

After lunch we continued our vertical assault, and savored two fabulous days skiing varied terrain, framed by the ever-present, ever-impressive Canadian Rockies.

 

Our last two days brought Sunshine, literally and figuratively. At 8:30am, we boarded the Ski Sunshine Gondola, which provides the only access to this 3,500-acre ski area from the base of this unique mountain.

 

We rode the old 6-passenger gondola, but this past summer Sunshine replaced the rickety lift with a zippy new 8-passenger gondola.

 

After buckling our boots on the ride up, we headed straight for Goat’s Eye. This upper end terrain has been getting rave reviews for its steep chutes since it opened in 1995. Riding the detachable quad, we knocked off plenty of fantastic runs before moving on to Sunshine’s other ski peaks, Lookout and Standish.

 

Like a 3-d poster, majestic peaks surrounded us. Mount Assiniboine, “the Matterhorn of the Rockies,” stands out at 11,870’ among the hundreds of other craggy summits.

 

While riding up the Continental Divide Quad, we crossed provinces from Alberta into British Columbia then hiked an extra 50-feet to the summit of Delirium Dive. This extreme skiers’ chute re-opened in 1998 after being closed for 20 years. Avalanche beacons and shovels are a must.

 

Looking down the incredibly steep, narrow chute with 100’ rock cliffs made my knees wobble. No adrenaline run for us. We were shut out of “the Dive” during our trip, not enough snow last season to ski the precipitous terrain.

 

Sunshine typically receives up to 33 feet of quality snow, the most in this region. Even during last year’s low snow, we skied all the wide-open cruisers and even a few glade runs winding off the 8,954’ Lookout Mountain.

 

Across the valley, Mt. Standish offers sweet chutes and steeps tucked between groomed runs and a terrain park.

 

It came time to ride the Wa-wa T-bar, (as a ski journalist it is my duty to ski it all). I rode with a Sunshine guide and engaged in the requisite chitchat about the gorgeous scenery. “Oh, if you like to hike, you must come back in the summer. It is beautiful,” she replied.

 

“Why would I want to hike these mountains in the summer, when I can ride a comfy quad, heck even a t-bar, and ski them in the winter?” I said with finality.

 

During our 5 days in the Canadian Rockies, we skied over one hundred fifty thousand feet of dramatic vertical. We lodged and dined like royalty, and split each bill almost in half – thanks to the 40% exchange rate. But the scenery, those jagged snow covered Rockies, are what “stick out” in my mind.

 

Four million people visit Banff National Park every year. 75% pass through the Park in the summer, when it is reportedly beautiful. Here’s a wild and crazy idea: Go now when it is less busy and less expensive, the views are just as stunning, and the skiing – awesome.

 

We loved our rustic but elegant room at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge, complete with down duvet and fireplace, perched above the lively town of Banff. Three nights’ lodging and three days lift tickets are $311 Canadian per person this April.

 

A seven-day package including 3 nights at the regal Banff Springs Hotel and 3 nights at the memorable Château Lake Louise with 6 days of skiing is $728 per person Canadian, after April 5 ($1,021 Canadian in March). This is an incredible value for two landmark hotels.

 

These deals can all be accessed via The Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau, www.banfflakelouise.com or call 1-877-754-7080.

 

Conditions: Anyone who skied White Heat last weekend at Sunday River on the freshly made signature snow knows there really is some great skiing to be had this winter.

 

Most of these rainstorms down south are either starting or ending with snow in the mountains, there is more snow in the hills than many expect.

 

Events: Mt. Abram is turning 41 on Saturday, March 16. Celebratory events include an old-timers ski race featuring vintage skiwear and gear at 11am, and an evening torchlight parade.

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“Mainers Still Looking for Gold In Utah”

March 3, 2002

By Heather Burke

 

You thought the Winter Games were over, but opening ceremonies are March 7. The Paralympics, so-called because they take place “parallel to the Olympics,” will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, March 7-16.

 

Olympian Picabo Street said of the Paralympians, "These are real people who, when presented with obstacles, overcame them. They are not heroes, but they are some of the finest athletes in the world. In this, they are better than ‘good.’ They are supreme. I am honored to share hill space, a national team, and the public eye with them."

 

A 29-year-old Rockland native will race the formidable Snowbasin Downhill course at speeds of seventy-five miles per hour, just like Bode Miller, only he skis without the benefit of clear vision and depth perception.

 

A 25-year-old racer from Yarmouth will attempt to bring home her eighth gold medal, only she skis the frozen downhill course on one leg.

 

Sarah Billmeier knows these games and how to win, despite her disability. Sarah lost her left leg above the knee to bone cancer at age five. She started skiing three years later, and skis with one ski and two outrigger poles.

 

In her first Paralympics in Albertville, France, in 1992, Billmeier won the Downhill, Super G and Giant Slalom at the age of fifteen. In Lillehammer, Norway, two years later, she won Downhill and Super G again. At the last Paralympics in Nagano, Billmeier brought home the gold in Downhill and Slalom.

 

“Sarah has accomplished so much. She has traveled all over the world since she was fifteen. She is so competitive and driven,” said Sarah’s mother, Nancy Billmeier of Yarmouth.

 

Billmeier is returning to the U.S. Disabled women’s alpine A team for her tenth season, after taking a year off to complete her studies at Dartmouth. “I think I only skied ten times last winter. I missed the competitive environment on the hill and I really missed my team,” said Billmeier.

 

She is looking to make a comeback and a grand finale to her racing career before entering medical school. Billmeier said, “I think the downhill title is the one that’s most important to me. I love that race. My biggest goal is to win that downhill one more time.”

 

U.S. Disabled Alpine Head Coach Ewald Zirbisegger said, “There aren’t words enough to describe what Sarah B. means to this team. She is a great champion, but her humility, her team loyalty and so many other things make her an even greater person.”

 

Coach Zirbisegger, a former Austrian World Cup racer, was unable to compete in Lake Placid’s 1980 Games due to injuries. He moved to Colorado and joined the coaching staff at Winter Park’s disabled program. Zirbisegger is credited as one of the principles in creating the disabled World Cup circuit.

 

Andy Parr of Rockland will be competing in his first Paralympics for the U.S. Disabled alpine men’s B team as a blind skier.

 

"Imagine skiing seventy-five miles per hour down a frozen mountain race course, through a permanent haze that obscures depth perception and clouds central vision... I can," says Andy Parr.

 

Parr started skiing at age six at Camden Snowbowl, and was involved in a local race series at Sugarloaf as a youngster.

 

“At age eighteen I was diagnosed with a rare form of non age-related macular degeneration known as Stargardts Disease,” said Parr. “This condition has no known correction and has left me legally blind. However, it has not kept me from going downhill in a hurry.”

 

Bob Stevens of Rockland, Parr’s grandfather said, “Andy can not see the gates so he follows a guide. He’s really sincere about overcoming his disability.” Andy’s initial training was at White Mountain Adaptive Sports at Loon Mountain, New Hampshire.

 

“Andy approached me and asked me to be his first guide. We trained in1999 until he made it to the national team,” said Earl Morse of Madison. “Andy is such an accomplished skier. It was challenging to ski as his guide; it is a partnership of complete trust and faith. We ski like jet fighter pilots.”

 

Parr made it big in 2000 when he won Downhill and GS by huge margins at the U.S. Nationals held at Mount Snow, Vermont. Parr jokes that he, “blindsided a lot of people” when he qualified for the U.S. Disabled team. Now 29, Parr skis with guide David Marchi. 

 

Parr should feel right at home on the course at Snowbasin, where he skied for a World Cup second in GS and third in Super G last season.

 

“Andy has a great attitude and he’s very appreciative. He’s definitely going to be in there in at least three events - Downhill, Super G, and GS,” said Coach Zirbisegger. “Andy’s strong and he’s so motivated.”

 

Parr hopes to pass on what he has learned about rising above perceived obstacles, by helping youngsters with disabilities. “Andy relates well with young people. He would like to work with disabled students in the future,” said Stevens. “But right now, his desire is to win a medal.”

 

At the last Paralympic Games in Nagano, Americans brought home 32 medals, including 14 gold in alpine racing. This is the first time the Disabled Winter Games have been held in the United States. 1,000 athletes from 36 countries will be competing at the Utah venues.

 

Mitt Romney, SLOC president said "We are very excited to have a powerful television partner, A&E, bring such an exhilarating sporting event to the United States. The amount of programming scheduled from March 9-16 will allow fans to follow the Paralympic Winter Games as never before." 

 

The 2002 Paralympics theme is “discipline, determination and triumph.”

 

 “These disabled athletes don’t get the financial support or the recognition that the able athletes do. They work so hard to overcome their challenges, it really puts things into perspective,” said Morse.

 

Conditions: Rain is not usually the recipe for ideal skiing and we have seen too much of it this winter. However, precipitation did change over to snow this week, adding to solid base depths on snowmaking trails. Combine that with nightly grooming and sunny weather for some quality skiing this month. March is traditionally the snowiest month of the winter; we do not need much to win those honors this year.

 

Events: Attitash Bear Peak will host the 11^th annual New England Cystic Fibrosis Ski Challenge March 15-17. This fun event includes two days of skiing, a ski race with prizes, and entertainment – your opportunity to “Ski for the Cure.” Call 1-800-757-0203 to get involved.