| Job Postings for MWSC owned alpine skis areas |
Black Mountain looking to fill Director of Skiing position
Historic
Black Mountain of Maine, which has just announced a major new expansion
project, is looking to fill a position as Director of Skiing. The
position will be responsible for Lodge operations i.e., ski school, ski
patrol, retail, rental, kitchen. The position will also be responsible
for developing and executing programming designed to reach out to the
local communities. This is a position for someone who is driven
by a desire to make a difference, both at the area and in the
community, and who understands the unique opportunity this position
will afford to do just that. A proven track record within the ski
industry is a must, as are strong communication skills, an empowered
leadership style and a positive attitude. To be a part of this historic community ski area’s rebirth, please send your resume and cover letter to:
Roger Arsenault
Black Mountain of Maine
PO Box 296
Rumford, Maine 04276
Maine Winter Sports Center
General Manager
Big Rock, a 350-acre ski area in Mars Hill, Maine with a vertical drop
of 1,000 feet and 10 km of Nordic and snowshoe trails is looking for an
individual who is passionate about making a difference in our
community. The successful candidate will be an empowering leader with
strong communications skills to manage all aspects of the Big Rock ski
area. Comprehensive knowledge of ski area business planning and
practices, as well as demonstrated skill in management within the
skiing/recreation industry is preferred. Excellent compensation and
benefits package. For more information about Big Rock and the Maine
Winter Sports Center please visit our website at www.mainewsc.org. Send
a letter of interest and a resume to: Big Rock
c/o Maine Winters Sports Center
154 Development Drive, Suite E
Limestone, Maine 04750
Equal Opportunity Employer
| Major Expansion at Historic Black Mountain of Maine. |
Construction on new summit lift, base lodge, paved parking
lot will begin this spring thanks to grant from Portland based Libra
Foundation. Black Mountain of Maine has been awarded a
major grant from the Libra Foundation. The grant will fund the
installation of a lift to the summit of the mountain, a 12,000 square
foot base lodge, a paved parking lot and a wax facility. The result
will be a mountain that has grown from 470 vertical feet to over 1,100
vertical feet. It will also mean a major boost in the Maine Winter
Sports Center’s efforts to re-establishing a skiing lifestyle in the
area. Forty-five years ago, Black Mountain of Maine was
founded in Rumford under the ownership of the Chisholm Ski Club. Its
goal was to provide skiing for the area communities. The mountain was
built totally with volunteer support from its members and area
businesses. Over the following 45 years the high costs of maintaining
an alpine ski area and the financial limitations of a small ski area
always kept the community from being able to bring the dreams of the
community to life. “Today Black Mountain will embark on an
expansion that has been dreamed about for all the years of its
existence.” said Roger Arsenault, President of the Black Mountain
Board. “We are thankful for the vision of the Maine Winter Sports
Center (MWSC) and the incredible support of the Libra Foundation.”
“Without them this would still be just a dream” Last summer
saw the installation of a new 1,400 foot chairlift and new novice area.
The addition of a new 4,200 ft triple chairlift to the summit will
bring the area a new big mountain skiing experience at affordable
family prices. The new base lodge is being designed to replace the
existing facility that has served the mountain well all these years.
The plan is for a facility with expanded seating capacity, fully ADA
compliant, full skier services with expanded rentals and retail
offerings. The new Snack Bar will be able to handle larger crowds with
more items to include healthy choices, in keeping with the Maine Winter
Sports Center mission of a healthy lifestyle. “The vision is for a very
comfortable building we can all be proud of.” Said Arsenault.
Black Mountain already has a world class cross country venue that has
hosted the US National Cross Country Ski Championships the past two
seasons. The parking lot and new lodge placement will allow major cross
country events to happen without negatively affecting the alpine skiing
experience. A paved parking lot will also create a much more enjoyable
first experience at the mountain. Work on installing the lift
will begin within weeks, with a completion date in mid November. Lodge
design has been on-going for two months and the base area engineering
is in progress. Ground breaking for the Maintenance Building should
begin in late April and we will break ground on the new base lodge in
the beginning of June. Our goal is to have all of the projects
completed before the next ski season. “The Maine Winter
Sports Center’s goal of re-establishing skiing as a lifestyle just took
a major step forward in western Maine.” Said Andy Shepard, president of
the MWSC. “The upgrades at Black Mountain, along with the passionate
support we have received from the communities of the River Valley, have
given us a tremendous resource with which to reach out to the families
of the area.” To continue the strong tradition of community
support for the area, the Maintenance and Wax buildings will be built
completely with volunteer labor. To volunteer or to learn more about
Black Mountain of Maine’s sponsorship programs contact Jeff Knight at
364 8977.
| MAINE WINTER SPORTS CENTER’S HEALTHY HOMETOWNS SKI PROGRAM RECEIVES MAINE GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL AWARD |
With the help of community organizations including the Dead
River Company and the Windham Parks and Recreation Department, the
Manchester Elementary School in Windham was able to participate in the
Maine Winter Sports Center Healthy Hometowns Ski Program, becoming a
co-recipient of the 2004 Contest for Communities Award in the
Youth-School Category. PINELAND FARMS, NEW GLOUCESTER – On
April 6th, 2004 the Maine Winter Sports Center’s Healthy Hometowns Ski
Program will receive the 2004 Contest for Communities Award from the
Maine Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports, Health and
Wellness. The award honors their efforts to improve the health and
wellness of Maine’s youth through promoting healthy lifestyles and
providing access to physical activity through skiing. The
Dead River Company and the Maine Winter Sports Center combined forces
this year to expand the Healthy Hometowns Ski Program and reach out to
more Maine communities. “We at the Dead River Company are committed to
building a stronger Maine and healthier communities, starting with our
youth,” says Bob Moore of the Dead River Company. One of the
schools that benefited from this union was the Manchester School in
Windham, where 450 fourth and fifth-grade students and fourth through
twelfth-grade students with disabilities were able to participate in
the Healthy Hometowns Ski Program. Supporters of the Healthy
Hometowns Ski Program believe that in order to make a difference in the
lives of Maine’s children, they have to commit to the hard work of
being there for them on a daily basis. This means identifying the
barriers kids face to living healthy lives and addressing each of them
in practical and effective ways. Through this program, communities work
with the Maine Winter Sports Center to create opportunities for
children to learn healthy lifestyle skills through skiing and enjoying
the outdoors during the winter. For more information on the
Healthy Hometowns Ski Program or if you are interested in having a
program started in your community, please visit our website at
www.pinelandfarms.org or contact Lori Munro, Outdoor Recreation
Promotions Coordinator at 207-688-4800 or e-mail: lmunro@pinelandfarms.org. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Pineland Farms is 3,000 acre working farm, business campus and
educational and recreational venue in New Gloucester, Maine. Our
mission is to provide a productive and educational venue that enriches
the community by demonstrating responsible farming techniques, offering
educational opportunities and encouraging a healthy lifestyle through
recreation.
Childhood obesity is a devastating issue facing the United States in
general and Maine in particular. The more we understand about the issue
the better the chance we will be successful in combating it. With that
in mind, we will be offering information from time to time that will
hopefully create dialogue about our health and the health of our
children. Please click here for more information.
| Area Youth Represent the County at Youth Skiing Festival |
While the World Cup Biathlon was going on in
their backyards, nine County Youth made the long journey to Waterville
Valley, New Hampshire to represent Northern Maine in the 2004 New
England Youth Skiing Festival. The festival is a gathering of over 400
young ski racers from all over New England ages 6-14, offering them a
fun and festive introduction to the competitive sport of cross-country
skiing. 
 Representing
the oldest age category, J3 – age 12-14 was Joey Bard of Woodland,
Hilary McNamee and Rose-Mary Williams of Fort Fairfield. Coach John
Farra noted that “while the focus at this festival is about
participation and fun, and not about the results, the 2 most senior
athletes did post impressive performances worth noting.” In his third
and final time competing at this event Bard posted the second fastest
time in the sprint competition earning a Silver Medal, as well as a 5th
and 8th. In her second and final time at this festival, McNamee was
rewarded for her efforts with a 5th and 7th place results against a
strong field of 70 J3 girls.
Representing
the J4 category for athletes age 10-11 was Laura Collins of Caribou,
and Alex Jandreau of Madawaska. Representing the J5 category for
athletes age 8-9 was Ginger Kieffer of Caribou, Chelsea Bard of
Woodland, and Darin Jandreau of Madawaska. Competing in the Lollipop
category for ages 7 and under was Cole Jandreau of Madawaska. Youth
skiing is experiencing a real increase in participation in the County.
From all the youth cross-country ski events available at all the
Aroostook Cup races throughout the winter months, to Middle School
Competitions there are lots of opportunities for young people to
experience the sport. The final Nordic ski race of the year is open to
all and is set for Noon on Sunday March 14th in Madawaska.
| Bjoerndalen Gold Ski Auction at Biathlon World Cup in Fort Kent, Maine |
 At
the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, one athlete stood above the crowd. Ole
Einar Bjoerndalen set a nearly inconceivable standard in the sport by
winning gold in all four of the Olympic Biathlon events at Soldier
Hollow. His four gold medals made him the most successful athlete at
the 2002 Olympic Games. Added to his gold medal in the 10km Sprint at
the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, Bjoerndalen’s Olympic record stands
at 5 Gold Medals – a true champion of sport. He is also proving himself
to be a champion of the human spirit as well.
 In
an effort to increase youth development internationally in the sport of
biathlon, Ole Einar Bjoerndalen has partnered with Rossignol and the
International Biathlon Union to auction off an extremely limited
edition, autographed pair of GOLD Rossignol racing skis, at every IBU
Biathlon World Cup in the 2004 season. Only 12 pair have been made. The
money raised in the auction will go directly to the youth development
programs in each community.
Eight pairs of Bjoerndalen GOLD Ski’s have
already been auctioned in countries like Finland, Austria, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Germany, and Italy. Fort Kent’s lucky high-bidder will be one
of nine people worldwide to currently own a pair of Bjoerndalen GOLD
Ski! Winning bids have ranged between $4,000 and $10,000…all going to
children’s programs. This is a great opportunity to help a great cause
and come away with a once in a lifetime gift to show for it.
Click here
to place a bid. The auction runs through March 5th, at 12:00 noon. High
bids will be displayed at the auction site, and the winner will be
notified and posted at the end of the auction.
Good luck, and thanks for supporting the sport of biathlon!!!
| World Cup Biathlon on the Outdoor Life Network |
World Cup Biathlon is back on the Outdoor Life Network, including 4
hours of the Fort Kent World Cup. Call your cable provider and make
sure you have OLN today.
We hope that you will get a chance to watch some of the series.
1/15/2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Kontiolahti, Finland
1/17/2004 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Kontiolahti, Finland
1/22/2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Hochfilzen, Austria
1/24/2004 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Hochfilzen, Austria
1/29/2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Osrblie, Slovakia
1/31/2004 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Osrblie, Slovakia
2/5/2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Pokljuka, Slovenia
2/7/2004 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Pokljuka, Slovenia
2/12/2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Ruhpolding, Germany
2/19/2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Antholz, Italy
2/26/2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Oberhof, Germany
3/3/2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lake Placid, NY
3/4/2004 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Fort Kent, ME
3/5/2004 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 2-hour Show
3/6/2004 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM TBD
3/25/2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM TBD
3/27/2004 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM TBD
| U.S. Jr. Team Skis With Alsgaard |
West Yellowstone, Montana - The U.S. Jr. Biathlon team arrived
November 20th for a two-week camp high-altitude camp to help in
preparation for this season's World Championships in Haute Marriane,
France. Athletes from Maine, Minnesota, and New York have been working
out 2-3 times per day with workouts consisting of distance skis, ski
specific strength workouts, threshold intervals and time trials. The
highlight of the camp came just the other day when the team was able to
ski with one of the most celebrated Nordic athletes, Norwegian Thomas
Alsgaard. Alsgaard skied with the team and took time to explain some of
his personal philosophies and ideas on training and what it takes to
get to the top.  The
Jr. team will return home this Thursday and begin their final
preparations before the World Championship Team Trials held in
Coleraine, MN at the end of December. For more information check out www.minnesotabiathlon.com *Picture
of Jr. Team and Alsgaard - Pictured from Left to Right: Gary
Colliander-Asst. Coach, Vladimir Cervenka-Head Coach, Tim Burke-Sr.
Development Team (MWSC), Ben Byrne, Kurt Farchmin, Bjorn Bakken, Thomas
Alsgaard, Kari Lunneman, Kelsy Bouchard (MWSC), Brian Olsen, Brynden
Manbeck, Katie Zupan, Brit Salmela
| New Ski Instructor to start at the University of Maine at Presque Isle |
The University of Maine at Presque Isle has taken a further step
to solidify its partnership with the Maine Winter Sports Center. They
have recently hired a ski coach/ski instructor to deliver their newly
developed concentration in cross-country ski coaching. Amy
Mark, who is currently finishing her master’s degree in Human
Biodynamics at McMaster University, will join the campus community next
fall in her official position as an instructor in the Physical
Education Program. A cross-country skier herself, Ms. Mark
participated in the sport on a national level in Canada for seven
years. She has also coached the Carleton University’s cross-country ski
team and the Silver Fox Nordic cross-country ski team. While
her official duties begin in the fall, Mark will visit the campus this
spring to develop curriculum, meet students and members of the MWSC,
and help recruit students to the program. In addition, the University has designated six $1000 scholarships for students who enroll in the ski coaching concentration.
“We are very excited about this new program and our new our new hire,
Amy Mark,” UMPI President Nancy Hensel said. “This move supports the
economic development happening in our region, it creates a unique
program for this campus, and it utilizes existing facilities on this
campus and in our community.” “This is really great news,” said
Andy Shepard, President/CEO of MWSC. “This just adds to the momentum
that has been building with the Biathlon World Cup, the World Junior
Championships and the Nordic Heritage Sprints. The addition of a ski
program at the University will also help in our efforts to re-establish
the skiing lifestyle in Northern Maine.” The University has
also been accepted as a provisional member of the NCAA, Division Three.
Only four out of a field of 20 were selected this year. If the
University builds a cross-country ski team, it will compete with
Division One teams, since there are no Division Three teams in this
sport. “We have appreciated the support that the Maine Winter
Sports staff provided in helping us in our search, as well as helping
us to develop a budget and five year plan for our ski program,”
President Hensel commented. “UMPI’s academic and athletic programs and
MWSC’s state-of-the-art facilities will help with our mutual efforts to
attract high-level competitors and students to this region.” The
University established a partnership with the Maine Winter Sports
Center three years ago to provide athletic training services during
meets and conduct physiological assessments for its athletes.
| MWSC Continental Team Coach Vacancy |
The Maine Winter Sports Center seeks to hire the best and the brightest
individuals to be a part of an empowering Team. The role of this Team
is to redefine community based recreation and competitive ski programs
in the United States. The position of MWSC Coach reports to the MWSC
Chief Operations Officer and entails working as a part of a team in
initiating, planning and implementing a solid development program for
beginning athletes in elementary school to post-collegiate national
caliber athletes in accordance with the MWSC mission. Within the
framework of the Mission, the MWSC Continental Team Coach is
responsible for overseeing the Continental Team Program, a symbiotic
partnership between high-level, full-time athletes and the MWSC, a
community-based economic development organization. Athletes in the MWSC
Continental Team Program work on community and youth projects to
further the MWSC’s mission of re-establishing skiing as a lifestyle in
Maine; and in return, the MWSC provides coaching, accommodations and
some expense reimbursement to help the athletes achieve their own
individual skiing goals.
The ideal candidate will have a deep sense of community, will see the
inherent value of the MWSC mission and will possess all the technical
ski coaching skills to aid high-level athletes on their way toward
National Team status. Experience in a National caliber program with
National caliber athletes is a prerequisite. In addition to regular
coaching duties, the Continental Team Coach serves as News Letter
editor and University Program contact. The winter race schedule
includes US Nationals, Junior Nationals, Canadian Nationals, and
Eastern Cups.
This position is a full-time interim position to begin immediately and
continue until April 1, 2004 when applicants may apply for the
permanent status as Continental Team Coach. Compensation includes
salary, excellent benefit package, housing allowance and vehicle.
Applicants should contact Max Saenger, Maine Winter Sports Center Chief
Operating Officer, with a short cover letter and resume at max@mainewsc.org and then follow up with a phone call to (207) 328-0991.
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