The Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum's mission is to celebrate, preserve and share Maine's skiing/snowboard history and heritage.
The museum is located on the access road to Sugarloaf Mountain, and has a collection of ski equipment, photos, and documents from 1870 - present.
The Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum was founded in 1995 by Donald Fletcher, Greg Foster, and Donald Hayes all members of the Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Club. During its first decade, this group formed a nonprofit [501 (c)(3)] corporation and obtained a grant to store and accession an initial collection of documents and artifacts. New members joined during these first 10 years, and the nascent Museum published a newsletter. In 2011 the Museum established the Peter C. Friend Endowment, a milestone in its drive toward long-term financial stability.
In 2006 the Museum opened a physical exhibit in Farmington and hired an Executive Director to oversee the facility and direct the Museum's operations. In 2022 the Museum moved to its current location on the Sugarloaf Access Road, Carrabassett Valley, ME.
The focus of the Museum is centered on educating everyone about our significant Maine ski history. Within the Museum you can learn about Paris Manufacturing, and watch the video "From Tree to Ski" which explains how skis were manufactured in the 1930s. Our "Bass" Boot display is included in the Paris exhibit. New to the museum is a "children's" corner with examples of early ski figurines, skis, sleds, toys and such to bring back early memories of skiing. A replica of a "King & Dexter" ski shop which includes tools that were used in the shop, skis, boots, metal edges, and many other items you would find within the ski shop. There is a display of Theo Johnson artifacts which include a kit of replica skis he used selling products through his company, "Tajco" out of Portland Maine in the early1900's. A display of the 10th Mountain Division memorabilia from the Second World War stands in one corner. On the north wall, you will find information about the "Lost" ski areas and "Open" ski areas, a map with identification of both types of areas with information on Pleasant Mountain which is now called Shawnee Peak, Sugarloaf, Squaw Mountain, Mt. Agamenticus, and many more interesting ads and memorabilia from Maine's resorts. On the west wall, you will see some wonderful examples of "Classic" skis. There is something for everyone to enjoy.
In December of 2018, the exhibit - "Maine Olympians From the Pine Tree State to the World Stage" was unveiled. This exhibit shares the remarkable stories of the many Maine athletes, coaches, officials, and many volunteers that have been in the Winter Olympics since 1948.
The Bethel Historical Society is hosting our new exhibit: Oxford County Skiing History - "Oxford County Skiing History - From Jockey Cap to Jordan Bowl". The exhibit illustrates a large swath of skiing history in Oxford County. The exhibit will be open up on May 29th. The Bethel Historical Society hours are: Tuesday-Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturdays in July and August from 1 - 4 pm.
The Maine Ski Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 2003 as a semi-independent program. More than 100 men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the sport and business of skiing and snowboarding in Maine have been inducted. The Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony, held in October, is the Ski Museum’s top social event and a major fund-raiser.
Other annual events began more recently. Our Maine Ski Heritage Classic, held at Sugarloaf each February; this is the Museum's most important fund-raising event. The newest is the annual Skee Spree silent auction at Sunday River in April.
Admission to the Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum is Free! Museum hours are 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday, We welcome private tours with advance notice. Please contact the Museum for more information.
We hope that you will renew or become a new member and help us to continue our mission to "Celebrate, Preserve and Share the heritage and history of Maine Skiing". Your support will allow us to continue to maintain and expand our collection, improve our Sugarloaf Mountain exhibits, and the Bethel Historical satellite exhibit, honor women's role in the history of the ski industry at our Sisters of Skade presentations and we encourage school groups to visit our unique facility for field trips. After all, skiing in Maine is part of the history of Maine.
