It’s been seven years since I wrote in this space about the demise of the University of Maine Farmington Ski Industries Program.   

   At that time, the issue was the end of a program that for 25 years turned out skiers prepared to take positions in the ski industry.  It had been created by Tom “Coach” Reynolds and Doc DesRoches in 1981, two men who covered every aspect of skiing, including teaching, coaching, ski area management, equipment and retail. 

The certificate program gave students choices as to where they would like to work in skiing, but it was all based on the premise that to succeed in the business, one first had to be a skier and understand the basics of the sport. Many actually became PSIA certified instructors and coaches and are working in or directing ski schools. Others are coaching at various ski academies and competition programs. Many are running the programs.

     Graduates are scattered throughout the ski industry, at resorts and with equipment suppliers.  In my own work, I have frequently called upon them as resources as I gathered information from companies as Rossignol, Salomon, Atomic, Fischer, Volkl, Tecnica and Marker.  As soon as they learned I was calling from Maine, I was asked if I knew coach (Reynolds). I  answered, “only for about 40 years.”  All the doors were open and I always got whatever I needed.  They remain sources for much of the information on ski equipment you read in this column.

     In conversations with company presidents, I learned that UMF students, with an in depth knowledge of the sport and the business, were highly valued as they entered the ski industry.  Indeed, of those who desired to actually enter the business (almost all) found a job thanks because placement was 100 percent.

     Unfortunately, in 2008, the UMF president at the time didn’t see the need for the program and it was ended, leaving in its place a generic “Outdoor Recreation Business Administration” program.”

     With that as background, I drove to Titcomb Mountain in Farmington Wednesday to hear the introduction of a new ski program at UMF.  New President Kathryn Foster opened the press conference to introduce the new Alpine Operations Certificate Program, and business Professor Clyde Mitchell who will be directing the program. 

     Mitchell spoke briefly noting that the location of UMF was a key for both the demand for the program and the resources to carry it out. With Sunday River, Saddleback and Sugarloaf all within an hour for internships,, it will be easy for the students to get first-hand knowledge and experience that will prepare them for careers in snow sports. 

     Sunday River resident and UMF graduate Dana Bullen spoke briefly, endorsing the program and pledging the full support of his resort. Sugarloaf vice president Ethan Austin spoke at the meeting.  The entire program has been a year in planning, involving both areas and Saddleback, whose owner Bill Berry was also on hand.  

     Sunday River is sponsoring skiing for all full-time UMF students at Titcomb in the form of free memberships in either alpine or cross country. This is a five-year commitment by Sunday River.

     The program is open to UMF students in all majors and to those pursuing the certificate only beginning next fall. It is an interdisciplinary 24-credit certificate program combining business and ski classes with mountain experience and an industry internship. Students will also receive skiing and snowboarding instruction and coaching experience to help them earn PSIA Level I certification. 

     There are obviously a lot of details to the program, which will be worked out for individual students in the fall, but this program is real positive step forward for UMF, its students and for the key resorts in what is a $300 million industry vital to the Western Maine Mountains. There has been a lot of news recently about how the University of Southern Maine should be more a part of the business community of Portland. Maybe it should follow the lead of UMF as it takes advantage of its unique location to offer its students and a vital business a real benefit.

     In addition to being on hand for this important announcement for Maine skiing, it was fun to return to Titcomb, one of the state’s historic community ski areas. Operated by the Farmington Ski Club, the area has long had extensive junior programs for both recreation and racing. Mt. Blue High has trained its powerful ski teams there, and one of the season highlights is the annual Wes Marco race for juniors. Marco, who was one of Maine’s pioneer ski instructors who was the first ski school director at Pleasant Moutain, was involved with Sugarloaf at the beginning, and for many years ran the junior program at Titcomb. 

     As I always like to visit various ski shops, I stopped in at Ski Depot on the way home to talk with Ron Jacques, who along with his brother Ken, operates this popular shop.  They are heavily involved with Spruce Mountain, the rope tow area across the river.  Ron told me things were going well at the little area,, and that Sunday River has offered to loan them some snow guns if needed when they host state championships next month. I also got to congratulate them on a recent award.  The New England Winter Sports Reps gave Ski Depot their annual “Best of New England,” quite an honor when you realize there are some 300 ski shops in New England.  See you on the slopes.