As the old snowcat purred to life, four men climbed into the bucket on the front and sat shoulder to shoulder. Three others crammed into the enclosed cab, and the rest of the crew jumped into the open bed in the back. Each night starts out the same for Sugarloaf’s nighttime snowmakers. In the evening, […]
skiing
Posted inLocal Sports
Alpine Skiing: Legendary coach paying it back to hometown
WINTHROP — Tim LaVallee hears voices when he returns to this neck of the woods. Sometimes the exhortation comes from his former football coach, Fred Douglas. Other days, it’s the prodding of his first ski coach, the late Lehan “Pete” Edwards. “Those guys are what inspired me to get into coaching,” LaVallee said. “I idolized […]
advertisement
Posted inBethel, Oxford Hills, sj-web
New plan finds Mt. Abram long-timers hopeful, apprehensive
As skiers settle into the New Year, a new model of ownership and operations is in the offing for the Mt. Abram ski area. Rooted in a concept of community-based cooperative, the new plan has been in the works for several years, and its advocates say that details will be made public in a few […]
Posted inLocal Sports
Nordic Skiing: Leavitt, Mt, Blue mix it up at Telstar Relays
BETHEL — There are two waves of preparation involved in competing at the Telstar Relays, neither of which have anything to do with the moderate physical challenge. Step one is praying that the weather will cooperate and allow the event to happen. Thanks to a December snowfall and a New Year’s deep freeze that each […]
Posted inLocal Sports
Chill out about the wind chill, please
Tuesday morning, I watched the early news and listened as one of our couch potato weather forecasters warn everyone to stay inside unless they absolutely had to go out. Instead of just telling us the temperature would be 17 degrees, he had to add the wind chill, which he claimed could be dangerous. The forecast […]
Posted inLocal Sports
Nordic Skiing: Numbers no object at Leavitt
TURNER — Friday’s snow-coated roads and far-below-zero wind chill persuaded many communities in the region to cancel school and postpone games and practices for the second straight day. You wouldn’t have detected any of that by observing the Leavitt Area High School Nordic ski team. The Hornets waxed their skis while sequestered in the relatively […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Early snowpack creates a good start for Maine ski areas
Heavy snowfall early in the winter may play havoc with municipal plowing budgets and oil delivery schedules, but one sector of the economy that rejoices in being buried by snow as early as possible is the ski industry. Maine’s 18 ski areas were busy in December, a promising start for an industry that annually pumps […]
Posted inLocal Sports
Ring in new year on slopes
With only a few more days to go in the year it’s time to look ahead. The best way to start any new year is to hit the slopes. New Year’s Day is usually the quietest day of any vacation period and for many the vacation is over and coming midweek makes it even […]
Posted inLocal Sports
Julie and family answer challenge
Since Julie Parisien, (now Nuce) returned to Maine following her husband Tim, who completed his training as a doctor, the Olympian from Auburn has been giving back.She has coached junior racers and talked with countless school children promoting the Winterkids program to get kids outdoors in winter.A few years ago, when I watched her […]
Posted inLocal Sports
Preview 2013: Oxford Hills alpine skiing
Coach: Mike Grace (15th year) Conference: KVAC; Class: A Last year’s results: Boys, second in conference and state meet; Girls, second in conference, third in state. Returning letter-winners: Boys: Seniors — Matt Michaud, Kieran Sadler; Junior — Chris Burns; Sophomore — Todd Gustaitis. Girls: Juniors — Annika Kahkonen, Miranda Murphy; Sophomores — McKayla Ivey, Ellie […]