CARRABASSETT VALLEY — On Saturday, Feb. 15, the Ski Museum of Maine will hold its seventh annual Ski Heritage Classic Benefit at Sugarloaf Mountain. This event showcases Maine’s rich ski history and features photos, memorabilia and historic equipment that has been acquired, in large part, through the generosity of private donations from the collections of long-time Maine residents.
The Ski Museum’s traveling exhibit will be on display in the Base Lodge and anyone dressed in retro ski attire can jump into the group photos that will be taken mid-afternoon. Following the photo shoot, a reception will be held at the Sugarloaf Inn where refreshments will be served, tall tales of skiing can be told and there will be an opportunity to get some wicked good stuff — while supporting the museum — by participating in the silent and live auctions.
The museum exhibit will be available for viewing in the Base Lodge from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Members of the Ski Museum Board of Directors will be on hand to share conversation and Maine ski memories along with information about the history of the museum. “From Tree to Ski” will also be playing, a newly adapted 1930s short film about ski-making at the Paris Ski Company, narrated by “Altitude” Lou McNally.
At 3:30 p.m., one of the highlights of the day will be the on-snow vintage ski equipment and apparel expo on the slope-facing side of the Base Lodge where folks will have the chance to sport old ski gear they just can’t seem to part with and ask that age-old rhetorical question: “How did we not freeze to death?” Everyone is invited to bring their classic equipment or wear their vintage ski clothing for the group photos.
At 4 p.m., the festivities move to the Sugarloaf Inn for an après ski reception and fundraising auction. The silent auction, featuring more than 100 items on display from 4 to 6:30 p.m., will be followed immediately by the live auction. Some of the silent auction items include summer getaways, rounds of golf at Maine courses, rafting trips, restaurant certificates, art, music and theater tickets, gift baskets, ski gear and apparel, as well as gift cards for Maine ski areas.
At 5:30 p.m., the Keenan Auction Company will conduct the live auction of a dozen of the biggest and most popular items. The highest-value item, donated by Sugarloaf Mountain, includes the private rental of the Sugarloaf passenger snowcat with driver for 18 people to ski before the lifts open and have breakfast at Bullwinkle’s. Other hot items include dinner for two at Bullwinkle’s Restaurant with a snowcat ride, a Chondola ride and dinner for two at Sunday River’s North Peak Lodge, ski/binding sets and golf packages.
This event will benefit the Ski Museum of Maine, whose mission is to preserve Maine’s skiing heritage. The museum archives collections that illustrate Maine’s ski history, celebrates those who have advanced the sport via the Maine Ski Hall of Fame and hosts fundraising events such as the Maine Ski Heritage Classic and the Ski Museum of Maine Golf Classic to further its mission.
The Ski Museum of Maine is at 265 Main St., Kingfield, on the second floor of the Sugarloaf Sports Outlet. Winter hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Visit www.skimuseumofmaine.org for more information.
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