It is with great sadness that I learn that Lost Valley Ski Area may not open for skiing next winter.

When I moved to Maine 23 years ago, I had not skied myself for more than 20 years. After one winter in Maine, I was convinced to make the 10-minute drive to Lost Valley to rent some of those new “shape” skis for an afternoon on the slopes.

It was such a blast I soon returned with our two small boys in tow. After a short lesson, they took to it quickly and loved it. When my daughter was old enough, she, too, started with the introductory lesson at “The Valley.” My daughter went on to race at AMS and EL, graduating a year ago on EL’s second place Class A Alpine girls team.

I could not begin to count the number of times I have skied at Lost Valley, watched races, or just dropped off and picked up the kids. I can say I consider Lost Valley part of the soul of our community.

I hope that we, as a city, as a community, as business leaders, as parents and as skiers, can come together to find a way to keep those chair lifts running.

Jonathan Harris, Auburn