Winter in Maine 2014-15 by Sun Journal

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Sunday, December 7, 2014

winter in maine

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, December 7, 2014

Trends in ski equipment this year By Dave Irons Feature Writer

s this your year for new skis? If it is and you didn’t take advantage of the pre-season sales, you have two choices. Take advantage of demos to find the right ski or rely on the advice of your shop. When I say rely on the advice of your shop, I’m assuming you have a regular shop, one where you purchase your equipment and have it maintained. Every skier should have a solid relationship with their ski shop. If you have shop employees who know how you ski, fit your boots and maintain your skis and bindings, you can count on them to help you select the right skis. Once you decide you need new boards, the question becomes which of the 300 or more models offered by the various ski manufacturers will fill your needs? On my desk

are ski company catalogs, SKI Magazine buyers’ guides, some notes on ski reviews from online sources and my own notes taken while testing this year’s models last winter, far too much information to relay here. The important question in selecting that new ski is, “Where do you ski?” Not which ski area, but where within the boundaries of the area. Do you spend all your times on groomed runs and don’t venture forth when it’s snowing? Or do you head for the trees and ungroomed snow as often as possible? Maybe it’s a combination of both. In a recent email from SKI Magazine, I spotted a list of skis recommended for groomed runs and checked the list. The trend in the magazines and with the ski companies is to recommend wider models and this was evident. The nine skis listed ranged from 74 mm to 83 mm under foot. The closest thing to a race ski was the Dynastar Speed Course Pro at 74 mm. A typical race ski will be 67 to 68mm. Having

skied it, I can recommend the Speed Course. It carves easily and is nearly as quick edge to edge as the narrower race models. Other skis on the list that I have skied and can recommend are the Volkl RTM 81, the Rossignol Experience 84 and the Head Supershape Rally 76, the number representing the waist width. While these are recommended for groomed runs, they offer enough width to handle off piste conditions as well and would make a good ski for a skier who divides his time between groomers and tree skiing. While ski width is important, in recent years another construction has been added to the mix: rockers. Up until a few years ago, all skis had traditional camber -- simply

Trends

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Michael Mayer photo

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winter in maine

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, December 7, 2014

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing Maine is a winter wonderland and its Parks a nd P u bl ic L a nd s of f e r ample opportunities to ski a nd snowshoe. If you a re new to either activity, check t he yea r-at-g la nce event c a lenda r at w w w.ma i ne. gov for the arrival of the Ski and Snowshoe Trailer at a Park near you and get free use of the gear w ith your park admission. And join the activities on Winter Family Fun Days! The site's Park Search Feature let s you m i x a nd match activities with park facilities. Click on the snowshoeing and cross country skiing icons. Also take a look at the multiuse rail trails. Want a multi-day experience? Fi nd out about c a mpi ng opportunities: Backcou nt r y Ca mpi ng : Scenic campsites in remote sett ings awa it t hose who venture off the beaten path on Maine's Parks and Public La nds. From w ild coasta l islands to the mountains and remote lakeshores of interior Maine, we have campsites for you. NOTE -- Untreated f irewood f rom outside of Maine has been banned. Buy it where you burn it!

What to expect:

All other campgrounds allow pets.

Remote campsites are almost exclusively first-come, firstserve; reservations are not generally possible.

Pet owners may be assigned picnic or campsites in a less congested area of the park.

Sites most often have a rustic picnic table, access to a pit toilet, and f ire ring. Sites on the Maine Island Trail typically do not have these features. Traveling w it h your dog? Pets are an important part of many families. To help protect the nesting sites of endangered piping plovers a nd t he sa fet y of a l l ou r visitors, please observe the following pet rules:

1. Beaches No pets are allowed on State Park beaches between April 1 and September 30. Pets are welcome on State Park beaches, provided they are leashed (see #2 below), from October 1st through March 31st.

2. Campgrounds No pets are allowed at Sebago Lake State Park Campground.

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3. Pet Waste -- Pick up after your pet immediately and d ispose of t he pet waste properly. Call the park directly for the latest trail conditions and availabilit y of w inter camping. Aroostook State Park -- a winter-lover's paradise where the season is extensive. Trail Conditions or call (207) 7688341. Bradbury Mountain State Park offers a variety of trails and snowshoe rentals. Trail Conditions or call (207) 6884712. Camden Hills State Park offers great trails and ocean views.

Submitted photo

Some Mountain Valley High School physical education classes journeyed to Carrabassett Valley for a chance to practice what they learned in class. They either snowshoed or cross-country skied to the Poplar hut, part of Maine Huts and Trails. Dylan Gaudet, Kyle Bartlett, Katilyn Campbell, Joe Morton and Danielle Merrill begin their journey through beautiful scenery along the trail to the Poplar Stream Falls Hut in Carrabassett Valley in March 2014. Along the trail, the students were treated to natural beauty all around them, including Poplar Falls. The students came back to school with rosy cheeks and stories to tell. Unanimously, they would recommend the trip to classmates. The trip was funded through the normal budgeting process. Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant earned several years ago paid for the snowshoes and skis. Cobscook Bay State Park offers groomed trails in a beautiful Downeast setting. Mount Blue State Park offers groomed trails in addition to un-groomed trails. The warming hut and ice skating near the park headquarters on Center Hill Road make this a great park to spend a

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Snowshoe

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There's still time to catch these great deals in December. Missed our Season Pass Madness Rates? Don't worry there are still plenty of great deals during the month of December! Buy a Individual or Family Season Pass before December 14 and get a FREE All Day Lift Ticket and a FREE Locker. To buy a Individual Pass (new this year), purchase Ski Bucks (makes great stocking stuffers), Sign up for Multi-Week Lesson Program, or to get more information go to: www.lostvalleyski.com

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winter in maine

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, December 7, 2014

Get ready for some Maine skiing! By Tresa Erickson Feature Writer

v e r y y e a r, m o r e t h a n 14 m i l l i o n A mer ic a n s, m a ny o f t h e m s e n i or s , take to the slopes. Aware of their senior clientele, several resorts now offer seasoned skiers discounts on lodging, transportation, lift tickets, ski equipment rentals and more. As with any sport, accidents

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o c c u r a nd s ome s k ie r s , even sea sone d veter a n s, experience injuries. Unfortunately, many of these accidents can be attributed to carelessness. This year, as you take to the slopes, make certain your experience is a safe one.

Follow these tips: Get in shape. Start exercising four to six weeks before your ski trip. Aerobic exercises, such as running, bicycling and skating, are excellent ways to i mprove you r conditioning. Leg strength is especially important. To build up your leg muscles, do weight-lifting exercises, such as leg extensions and squats. Take ski lessons. No matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran, learning from a professional is crucial. If you are just starting, a ski instructor will teach you the proper technique, including the best way to fall. They will also help you move through t he nov ice ra n k s more quickly. If you are advanced, an instructor will help refine your skills. Warm up. Spend at least 15 minutes warming up before you go up on the ski lift. Go for a walk, jog in place or do some jumping jacks. Stretch your calves, hamstrings and lower back muscles. Skiing is a strenuous activity, so take a few runs on the easy slopes to loosen up and give your body time to adjust. Then try out the harder slopes. Check your ski equipment. You can be in tip-top shape, but i f you r equ ipment is wor n or broken, you r isk injur y. Inspect each piece of equ ipment t horoug h ly

and replace any that needs it. If you have gained or lost weight, make sure you have your equipment adjusted to your new size by an expert. Listen to your body. If you get cold, go inside and warm up. If you get tired, take a break and rest. If you get hungry, eat—but ma ke su re you r mea ls are nutritiona l and drink plenty of f luids. Avoid a lcohol a nd med icat ions that could make you drowsy, impair your senses and make you more susceptible to the cold. Pay at tent ion to you r surroundings. Follow all trail signs and watch out for other skiers. If possible, ski with a partner and stay within sight of each other. Take note of the weather and be prepared for any adverse conditions. Stay w it h i n desig nated areas and avoid risky games, like cat-a nd-mouse. More i mp or t a nt l y, don’t b e a daredev il. Only go on the slopes that you can handle. Dress appropriately. Wear layers, so you ca n ea si ly remove items shou ld you become too warm. Put on gloves to prevent frostbite and a hat to decrease the rapid loss of heat through t he head. Lat her on some sunscreen to prevent sunburn and wear ski goggles to protect your eyes from the glare of the snow. These tips apply not only to sen iors but to a nyone planning to take to the slopes. As long as you play it safe, you can indulge your passion for skiing and enjoy all of its benefits injury-free.

winter in maine

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, December 7, 2014

Ready, set, go ice fishing in Maine! By Tresa Erickson Feature Writer This is it! You're finally going ice f ishing. A f ter yea rs of wanting to try your hand at the sport, you finally have your chance. To ensure you have a safe, good time, you'll w a nt to br i ng a long t he right equipment. Here are some of the items experts recommend. You won't catch a ny t hing without a quality ice rod and reel. These come in different leng t h s a nd ac t ion s. For panfish, an ultralight to light action rod between 20 and 30 inches in length will suffice. For walleye, a medium-light to medium rod between 24 and 36 inches will suffice. For trout or pike, a mediumheavy to heavy rod between 36 and 42 inches will suffice. To outfit your rods, you will need an ultralight to light reel for panfish and small walleye, a nd a sta nda rd-sized reel for larger fish. You may use an ordinary open water reel for ice fishing, but you must replace the fine grade oil with thicker oil to prevent it from freezing. In all likelihood, you will be using minnows for bait, so you will need an insulated minnow bucket and a longhandled net, which will allow you to scoop up the minnows without having to touch the cold water. Both the bucket and the handle of the net should be made of plastic rather than metal, which will freeze quickly and stick to the ice or worse, to your hand.

In order to fish, you must drill a six- to eight-inch hole into t he ice, and for t hat, you will need some special equipment. First, you must buy an auger to drill the hole. You may purchase a handor gas-operated one. Hand augers are the least expensive, but will not work well on thick ice. You will also need a plastic hole scoop with a fairly long handle to remove the slush created from drilling the hole. If you are fishing in extremely cold weather, you may need a tip-up as well that will cover the hole and submerse the reel under the surface of the water.

By Terry Karkos Feature Writer Many groups are holding fishing derbies these days as fundraisers or just for fun. More than 300 anglers v ied for $ 3,150 i n ca sh prizes for the largest bass, trout, pickerel and perch during the 35th annual Ice Fishing Derby at Roxbury Pond held in Feb. 2014. Of the prize money, $2,000 was t he g ra nd pri ze for a tag ged 17- to 18-i nch brook trout, which for the 35th year in a row, nobody caught, derby co-organizer Roland Patneaude said.

"We had 318 registrants, If you don't want to sit on which is down by over 200 the cold ice with the wind from last year," Patneaude wh ippi ng i n you r face, a said. portable hut is essential. This will make your ice fishing The event is sponsored by ex per ience much more the Mexico Lions Club. comfortable. The hut you buy should be constructed of dark Randy Knapp caught the rip-resistant material, have largest trout at 1-1/2 pounds some windows and be large enoug h to accom modate whoever may be accompanying you. It should longer than those operated by also provide good seating and battery. be easy to transport. T here a re ma ny ot her To keep yourself and your s u p p l i e s y ou w i l l n e e d companions warm and safe, for you r ice f ish i ng t r ip. you may want to purchase a A c ompa s s or GP S u n it portable heater and lanterns. will come in handy in bad Look for a flameless propane weather, while a fish finder heater and make sure your will make finding fish easy hut has vents in which the and needle-nose pliers or propane gases can escape. a jaw spreader w i l l ma ke Generally the larger your hut, removing the hook from the the greater the BTUs of the fish a snap. heater can be. As for lanterns, keep i n m i nd t hat t hose You will also need ice cleats to operated by propane will last stay upright on snow-free ice and ice picks to dig yourself

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and 15-3/4 inches, netting $150. Shaw n Burby won $100 for catching the largest perch at 12-3/4 inches. It weighed three-fourths of a pound. T haddeu s Ben net t won $200 for first place, catching t he la rgest sma l l mout h bass. It weighed 3 pounds a nd was 18 inches long. Taking second place and $150 wa s Don Ken nedy with a 17-1/2-inch fish that weig hed 2 pou nd s. Ia n Jacques won third place and $100 for a 17-inch bass that weighed 2 pounds Nathan Woods won $200 a nd f i r st plac e for t he largest pickerel. It was 251/2 inches and weighed 4 pounds. Sebastian Weston took se c ond plac e a nd $150 with a 22-inch fish at 2

Fishing

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winter in maine

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, December 7, 2014

What's new at Maine ski resorts By Dave Irons Feature Writer Amid all the announcements of improvements and other news for the upcoming ski season, none was welcomed with more enthusiasm than the announcement that Lost Valley will open for the season in December. When it was announced this summer that without being able to raise cash to cover expenses, the popular area could not open for skiing, a bunch of local skiers and businesses came forward. Also, some of the state’s larger areas and resorts recognizing the value of skiers created by Lost Valley’s learning programs came through with donations as well. As a result, the area will open and money will be spent in more efficient snowmaking and lighting to help with expenses. Make a note to ski Lost Valley this winter. Elsewhere in Maine, the biggest news is out of Camden where the Snowbowl is half way through a major upgrade. After a fundraising campaign that combined a match by the town with other donations raised over $6 million, work began at the end of the last ski season. In place are a new summit triple chair, a new beginner area with a conveyer lift, a double chair lift for new beginner terrain, 50 percent more night skiing, 85 percent snowmaking coverage, and 40 percent more skiing and riding terrain. Next summer, a new base lodge will be constructed as this townowned area becomes a true year-round facility as part of the Parks and Recreation department. In Rumford, Black Mountain has increased space in the base lodge and added air conditioning to increase its value as a yearround facility. Mount Abram is upgrading its snowmaking to the tune of $300,000. The upgrade will increase coverage and enable the area to open earlier and recover faster from adverse weather events.

The biggest project at Shawnee Peak is replacing the Rabbit Run double chair with a triple which will move more skiers faster. The area between the new lift and Pines Quad has been re-graded for easier movement between the lifts. New fan guns and 40 high-efficiency snow guns are key factors in increased snowmaking. At Spruce Mountain in Jay, volunteers had a busy summer mowing the trails, replacing the rope on the tow lift, upgrading snowmaking and repairing and painting the buildings. Sugarloaf is in the midst of an ongoing 2020 ten-year plan which has already seen four years of upgrades and expansions. This year’s projects included snowmaking upgrades with additional high-efficiency snow guns and 6,000 feet of new snowmaking pipe. A new winch cat has been added to the grooming f leet and the expansion of the glades on Burnt Mountain continues. At Sunday River, a conveyer loading system is part of an upgrade to the Spruce Mountain triple that will allow for a faster ride and easier loading. Sixty more high-efficiency snow guns will add to the capacity of the snowmaking system and two new Pisten Bully snowcats have been added to improve grooming efficiency. At Titcomb, lights have been added to a kilometer of crosscountry ski trails allowing school ski teams to continue crosscountry training after sunset. These are the highlights of this year’s investments at Maine’s ski areas and resorts. Today’s ski resorts invest hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars in routine summer maintenance just to stay at a workable level. A lot of the maintenance we don’t see once the slopes are covered with snow, and we may not notice how new rental equipment has made it easier and faster to get on the slopes for beginning sk iers and g uests. It’s a ll part of keeping up w it h t he Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal competition for an industry that adds over $300 million to A snowmaker at Lost Valley uses a time-tested method for checking the Maine’s economy every year.

Saddleback continues to expand glade skiing with a new glade off the red Devil trail.

quality of snow. After wiping off his sleeve, the snow should bounce off. If it sticks, the mixture of water and air needs to be adjusted in the snow guns.

Public skating rinks, indoor and out LEWISTON -- The Androscoggin Bank Colisée, 190 Birch St. in Lewiston, offers rental skates and skate aids for a fee. If school is closed, the Colisee is open for public skating. Public skating is $5 per person; under 12 is $3. Stick-n-puck ice time is $7 per person; full equipment required. Don't miss out on skate with Santa from noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. All times are subject to change; see schedule at www. thecolisee.com. For more information, call 207-7832009.

Amber Waterman/Sun Journal

As the late afternoon sun throws long shadows across the ice, Ryan Verrill, 12, from Gray skates after his mother, Wendy,

at Pineland in February 2014. "This is one of our favorite places to skate," said Wendy, who had snowshoed earlier in the day with her son.

Bates College of fers its La ke A ndrews to t he community for ice-skating. Parking is available in a nearby lot. For more information, call 207-786-6255. AUBURN -- The Norway Savings Bank Arena, 985 Turner St. in Auburn, offers public skating at $5 per

person. Skate rentals are $5. Skate a lot? Ask about their public skate punch card. The schedule is available at www.norwaysavingsbankarena.com. For more information, call 207-333-6688. HEBRON -- Robinson Arena at Hebron Academy is open to the public for skating. Hours are 2:30-4:30 p.m. every Sunday. Adults skate for $3; children 12 and under for $2. No sticks or pucks. For more information, visit www.hebronacademy.org or call 207-966-2100.

Skating page 10 ‰

winter in maine

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, December 7, 2014

Snowmobiling in Maine, clubs and activities By Craig W. Armstrong Feature Writer

ANDY VALLEY RIDERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB

I f y ou a r e c on sider i ng bu y i ng a snow mobile, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you’ll have to decide which kind of machine to buy. The best place to start is with a friend who is already familiar with the sport. Find out what they would recommend, ask them to take you for a ride, or better yet, take their snowmobile for a ride. Search the Internet to find out if there are snowmobile clubs in your area. These organizations can be a great resource. Snowmobiling is a great way to enjoy the cold weather and it doesn’t take a lot of training to get started. Most snowmobiles are easy to operate and have many safety features. There are several types of snowmobiles available, beginning with entry- level models or trail models. They usually go up to 70 horsepower and feature an electric start and reverse. They are lightweight and easy to handle. Nex t, t here a re per for ma nce snow mobiles. These machines have higher horsepower, around 85, and are heavier. The increased weight is due to shock absorbers and a suspension s y stem. Tou r i ng snow mobi les a re designed for just that purpose. They usually seat two people. The backseat often has a backrest and the machine is equipped with a large windshield a nd side m i r ror s. T hese t y pes of snowmobiles are designed for traveling a long distance in comfort. If you wa nt to cl i mb, a mou nta i n snow mobile may be for you. These machines are designed for mountain riding. They are longer and narrower than other snow mobiles. They have specia l ly desig ned long t racks a nd h ig h hor sepower eng i ne s. Ut i l it y snowmobiles are wider and designed for towing. The wide snowmobiles work well in deep snow and get the job done. You w ill need gear to go w it h your snowmobile. As with any winter outdoor sport, you will need to keep warm. Your clothing should be waterproof. Your best bet is to get a waterproof jacket, pants or bibs, boots, hat and gloves. Dress in layers, making sure your outer layer is waterproof. Once you have your gear and your ride, don’t forget safety. Never take off on

By Donna Perry Feature Writer Selectpersons voted in November to withdraw up to $5,000 from a town recreation reserve account to help the Andy Valley Riders Snowmobile Club buy a new snowmobile to groom 34 miles of trails in town. The board tabled the club's request for $19,500 in October to buy two snowmobiles for grooming trails in town. They wanted to review the information before making a decision.

Terry Karkos photo

Some of the 76 particpants in the 2013 Snowmobile Hill Climb No. 1 wait for their turn at the starting gate at Black Mountain of Maine ski area in Rumford. a trek alone and always tell someone where you a re going. A lways k now where you are going by having a trail map. Take a basic tool kit, first aid kit, your cell phone, some extra gloves and, most importantly, a shovel. Even snowmobiles get stuck in the snow. If you do get stuck, a shovel might be the only way of getting your machine free.

Fun in the snow can take on many forms, and there are many sports that offer a thrill when the temperature dips. If skiing or skating isn’t your thing, how about snow mobi l i ng ? R id i ng a snow mobi le or snow machine is relatively simple and doesn’t take a lot of training.

The club had wanted to upgrade its 2002 and 2006 Skandic drag sleds with 2012 to 2014 four-stroke utility sleds. The four-stroke sleds are much more fuel efficient with an estimated 20 to 23 miles per gallon compared to 5 to 8 mpg, plus the cost of injection oil for the sleds the club now uses, club President Mark Bickford previously said. The quotes the club received for 2014 sleds were $10,600 for a 2014 Skandic SWT and $9,000 for a Tundra. They also received quotes for a 2013 Viking Pro for $10,999 and one for a 2012 RS Viking Pro at $8,700. Selectperson Tim DeMillo asked if the club has any alternate sources of revenue that could be applied toward the cost of the sleds. The club decided they would sell the two existing sleds, if they can get two new machines, Bickford said.

CLUBS

They could use that revenue to buy one of the sleds themselves and if the town buys one, they could get a package deal, he said.

Andy Valley Sno Gypsies -- www.andyvalleysnogypsies.com in Auburn Bridgton Easy Riders -- www.bridgtoneasyriders.com in Bridgton Streaked Mountaineers -- P.O. Box 203, Buckfield ME 04220-0203 or email streakedmountaineers@hotmail.com Sno-Voyagers -- www.falmouthsnovoyagers.com in Falmouth Hillside Family Riders Snowmobile Club -- ww.hillsidefamilyriders.com in Lewiston Cochnewagan Trailblazers Club -- www.cochnewagantrailblazers.com in Monmouth Royal River Riders -- www.royalriverriders.com in New Gloucester More Maine snowmobile club information can be found at www.mesnow.com which is the site of the Maine Snowmobile Association. The site states: Maine's snowmobile trails exist because people who loved to ride realized that in order

Clubs

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State and grant funding has become very limited, he previously said. The town's recreation reserve account had $159,236.31 in it as of Oct. 22. The town leases some land on its recreation lot for a communications tower. Jay is paid $893.50 a month for the lease and a additional carrier, Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere said. That money goes into the reserve account. Revenue from a timber harvest on the rec land previously went into the account. Board Chairman Steve McCourt asked how much the club had in its operating budget. The club pays $9,000 to $10,000 per year for expenses, including fuel, and that is kept in the account, Bickford said. It has between $15,000 to $20,000 in the account this year, he said.

Andy Valley page 11 ‰

winter in maine

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, December 7, 2014

Your snowblower tuneup checklist By RepairClinic.com “Proper maintenance of your snow blower, pa r t icu la rly at the start of the season, is cr it ica l to its sa fe a nd ef f icient operat ion,” sa id Jeffrey Linderman, outdoor power equipment specialist for Repa i rCl i n ic.com. “Si mple a nd i nex pensive to dos completed now w ill extend the life of the snow blow er a nd r e duc e likelihood of a mid-winter breakdown.” Here i s a check l i st to fol low when t u n ing up a snowblower for the season:

1. Review the owner’s manual. “Recom mendat ions for snowblower ca re va r y by manufacturer and by model,” L inder ma n sa id. “Rev iew the owner’s manual at the start of every season to avoid expensive mistakes.”

tilt the snowblower, as this varies from model to model. Tilting the snowblower the wrong way in this step can cause expensive damage to key components. Remember t hat u se d oi l shou ld be recycled; this can be done at many auto part suppliers or small engine repair shops.

2. Replace the spark plug.

4. Add fresh fuel and fuel stabilizer.

3. Drain and replace the oil.

“Fuel stabilizer is important,” Linderman said. “It slows the development of damaging buildup in the carburetor.”

Ta ke care when replacing the oil. Consult the owner’s manual for the proper way to

5. Remove dirt and grime. A degreaser spray will remove grease and dirty from grimy

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Simple and inexpensive tune ups completed now will extend the life of your snowblower and reduce likelihood of a mid-winter breakdown. areas. Allow the degreaser to sit for 10-15 minutes before wiping with a clean cloth.

6. Check the fuel cap and tires for wear. Fuel caps have small vent holes to allow air into the fuel tank. Replace the fuel cap if

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Ta ke t he time t horoughly inspect key components such as the scraper blade and slide shoes (a.k.a. skid shoes) for wear. “These parts have the important job of protecting the housing from damage,”

said Linderman. “Replace these parts if they have worn da ngerou sl y t h i n or a re damaged beyond repair.” 9. Test, t roubleshoot a nd repair, as needed. If a snowblower has performance issues such as starting and then stopping or malfunctioning augers, take the time to troubleshoot and repair now. “Even m i nor cha nges i n performance can indicate la rger problems in a snow blower,” L i nder ma n s a id . “Trouble shoot a nd ma ke repa i rs to avoid dow nt i me a nd cost l ier repairs later in the season.” For more information, visit www.repairclinic.com.

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www.wfm1956.com (1)FINANCING AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED BUYERS. NOT ALL BUYERS QUALIFY. MINIMUM PURCHASE PRICE REQUIREMENT APPLIES. SEE STORE OR CUBCADET.COM FOR IMPORTANT DETAILS. MINIMUM MONTHLY PAYMENTS REQUIRED. TRANSACTION FINANCE CHARGES MAY APPLY. SEE YOUR CUB CADET RETAILER FOR DETAILS OR GO TO CUBCADET.COM FOR FULL DISCLOSURE. FINANCING SUBJECT TO TD BANK, N.A. APPROVAL. PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.*Product Price — Actual retail prices are set by dealer and may vary. Taxes, freight, setup and handling charges may be additional and may vary. Models subject to limited availability.**See your local dealer for limited warranty details and information. Certain restrictions apply.†as rated by engine manufacturerSpecifications and programs are subject to change without notice. Images may not reflect dealer inventory and/or unit specifications. See operator’s manual or your local Cub Cadet dealer for warranty details © 2013 Cub Cadet1PV_2C7

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its air vent holes are blocked by buildup or debris. Cover or close the fuel cap vents in the off-season. Check the tires for wear and replace as needed. A tire pressure gauge should be used to check the air pressure in pneumatic tires.

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Special Section Inserts

winter in maine

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, December 7, 2014

Mark your calendar for these Maine winter events Fishing from page 5

WINTER FESTIVAL in Auburn

pounds, and Victoria Meader took t hird place, w inning $100 for a 21-inch fish that weighed 2-1/2 pounds.

Feb. 6-8, 2015 Auburn's Winter Festival is a celebration of everything winter. Winter is the longest of our four seasons here in Maine, so why not get out and enjoy it? The 2015 Auburn Winter Festival will begin on Friday, Feb. 6, and conclude on Sunday, Feb. 8. Festival events and activ ities ta ke place at a variety of locales. Some ac t iv it ie s i nclude : sledding, snowmobile rides, sk iing, snowboa rding, snowshoeing, skating, ice sculptures, torchlight parade, music and more. Visit www. auburnmaine.gov for more information. Many activities are free, but some activities will require a fee.

L/A ARTS ICE FESTIVAL of Lewiston/Auburn Feb. 20-22, 2015

For many participants, the event was an annual social gathering. There was plenty of ice. Co-orga n i z er Ji m Theriault said it was between 30 and 40 inches thick.

Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Ice sculptors Donald Chapelle, left, and Andy Campbell add another block of ice while building Sasquatch at Fountain Plaza in Lewiston for the annual Ice Festival held in February 2014. Forty-two blocks of ice that weigh 350 pounds each plus 25 pre-made ice sculptures were delivered as crews got ready for the second annual Ice Festival of Lewiston/Auburn. Daniel Kulhanek is at back right. The third year of Ice Fest is gearing up to be an event not to be missed. The first two nights -- Friday and Saturday -- are 21-and-older events and an ID is required at the door. Those nights w i l l feature frost y beverages, creative

ice sculptures, music, and food samples from a variety of loca l restau ra nts. T he final day -- Sunday -- is a free family day event, so bundle up the clan and head out into the fun. Visit www.icefestla. com for more information.

The derby was held under an overcast sky that began dropping snow at about 2 p.m. as temperatures slowly dropped. "It was kind of warm first thing this morning, but it's 32 degrees now and we're starting to get a breeze now from this incoming storm," Patneaude said 16 minutes before the derby ended at 3 p.m.

Terry Karkos photo

Ice-fishing anglers and their families and friends stand in the Roxbury Pond boat launch parking lot at the Mexico Lions Club's 35th annual Ice Fishing Derby held in February while waiting for prizes to be awarded at the event's end. t he derby's top prize of a $450 ice auger to Bob Riley who had the winning ticket. Riley is the owner of towing compa ny a nd ga rage MT Pockets of Dixfield.

and his family wa lked by headed for their car. Konnor was pulling his sister, Kylie Robi n, bot h of Ru m ford, behind him in a plastic sled coming up from the pond.

While other ticket prizes were being awarded, Konnor Robin

"No f ish, but I had some bites," the youngster said.

T her iau lt a n nou nced t he winners in the boat launch park ing lot and had them come up for their prize money and pose for photos. The Lions Club then awarded

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10 winter in maine

Snowshoe

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, December 7, 2014

Park easy trails make this a great spot for beginners and as well as those that prefer level terrain. No camping.

from page 3

easy to moderate trails that meander through a variety of forest types and woodland cover as well as stretch along the Songo River and a portion of the north shore of Sebago Lake. Trail Conditions or call (207) 693-6231. Vaughan Woods State Park beautif ul trails t hrough a stately hemlock forest. No Camping. Wolfe's Neck Woods State

Beach w a l k i ng on sa nd beaches: Winter is a great time to beach walk in the intertidal area.

Additional Trail Resources: Ma i ne Tra i l Fi nder maps and a searchable database of trails throughout Maine at www.mainetrailfinder.com. Cross Cou nt r y Sk i i ng i n Maine a link to Maine Office

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of Tourism pages at w w w. visitmaine.com. Snow shoei ng i n Ma i ne a link to the Maine Office of Tourism pages. Ma i ne Appa lach ia n Tra i l Club includes online maps and resources at www.matc. org.

Trail Tips: Fi r st A id ba sic s uppl ie s include band aids, moleskin, 4x4 pads and first aid tape. Check w it h you r loca l American Red Cross at www. redcross.org for first aid kit tips and classes. Carr y plenty of water, sun screen and a snack. Dress in layers for warmt h plus protection from w ind and water. I n for m at ion c ou r te s y of www.maine.gov.

Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Ethan Brown, then 12, of Auburn, blue coat, gets a snowball in the head from his brother Austin, then 11, as he exits the igloo during the last day of the 2013 Ice Festival of Lewiston-Auburn at Fountain Park in Lewiston.

Skating

NEWRY -- Sunday River White Cap Fun Center offers lighted, outdoor ice-skating. Rentals are available. For information, contact 800-543-2754 or www.sundayriver. com.

BETHEL -- Bethel Recreation Department ice rink is located on the Common in the downtown historic area. Skates are available for rental from the cross-country ski center at the Bethel Inn. For more information, contact the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce, 207-824-2282.

DIXFIELD -- Recreation fields are flooded for ice-skating. Call the Dixfield Parks and Recreation Department for more information, 207-562-8151.

from page 6

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winter in maine 11

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, December 7, 2014

Clubs

dues and club fundraising activity.

from page 7 to keep a winter trail system open, landowner permission needed to be obt a i ned, f u nds ra ised, br ush cut, signs posted, bridges built, snow g roomed, t ra i ls inspected, maps produced, grooming equipment purchased, maintained and insured, and access issues and legislative initiatives monitored. The r iders w i l ling to assume this responsibility organized into clubs, under the umbrella of the Maine Snow mobile Associat ion. E a rl y le ader sh ip of t he MS A pu she d leg i slat ion to establish a snowmobile reg ist rat ion system t hat would funnel some money through a state agency to assist the snowmobile clubs in their trail development and maintenance efforts. Decades later this registration system continues to reimburse clubs for a portion of their trail expenses. The balance of the money needed to maintain trails has always been raised through club membership

Ma i ne's snow mobi le trail system now includes over 14,000 miles of trail, i nclud i ng 350 0 m i les of primary trail known as the Interconnected Trail System. The ITS trails connect across the state and with decent snow a r ider may head out from any where on the ITS and ride to any other location that is reached by the system. M a n y o f t h e 10 , 0 0 0 additiona l miles of snowmobile trail in the state hook up with the ITS. Think of the Maine trail system a s si m i la r to a h ig hway system. You travel across the state using the snowmobile highways, and can exit onto local roads (local trails) to explore a town, visit a gas station, stop for lunch, or enjoy a club event. For over 45 years, thousands of Ma i ne Snow mobi le A ssociat ion volu nteers have worked to keep this trail system hea lthy, and they would welcome your support. "Snowmobile Maine. Ride Right. Enjoy."

Terry Karkos photo

A snowmobile rider at left heads up Lower Androscoggin Trail during freezing drizzle during the 2013 Snowmobile Hill Climb No. 1 at Black Mountain of Maine ski area in Rumford.

Activities

Andy Valley

not to help the club.

DeM i l lo sa id pa r t of h is struggle with the request is his concern that other groups may come forward to request money, once the board sets precedent . T here i s a l so concern over timber harvest funds being in the account and another har vest won't happen for decades, he said.

McCourt asked if replacing one sled this year and getting r id of t he older mach i ne sounded reasonable. The club could do a 50/50 deal with the town paying about half the cost of one machine, he said.

from page 7

RANGELEY The Rangeley Snowmobile Snodeo will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. The event includes demo rides, family rides, radar run, poker run, displays and vendors, children's activities, canoe sleigh rides, Rave X show, parade, and fireworks.

RUMFORD Black Mountain of Maine hosts a Snowmobile Hill Climb each year. Do not miss the roar of engines on the mountain or the opportunity to earn on-snow bragging rights. Each hill climb will feature timed runs to determine seeding, the top eight racers in each class will move on to the Uphill Elimination event. During the elimination races, snowmobiles will race head-to-head to determine the top dog. First racer to the top wins each round until only one is left. In order to give racers maximum chances to race, each hill climb will feature Grudge Matches: two racers, head-tohead. Classes offered will be men and women, 500cc to open.

"Is there any way to meet somewhere in the middle?" he asked. He didn't believe the board was in a position

Bick ford sa id i f t hey just upgraded their oldest sled, the 2002, it would cost about $10,200.

The tow n bought a PistenBully groomer for the club severa l years ago for about $47,000.

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12 winter in maine

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, December 7, 2014

Michael Mayer photo

Volkl ski, 14 / 15

Trends from page 2

put: lay the skis flat on the floor and there would be a gap under the waist. True race skis are still made this way, a lt hough t here a re recreational race models that feature slight rockering at the tip. Full rocker is almost a reverse camber. Of the above skis the Volkl RTM is a full rocker. The Rossig nol E x per ience is rockered at the tip and tail and Head Supershape at the tip. Rocker means a ski turns up slightly further back than the tip and also at the tail.

Rockers are typically more forgiving than traditional camber and hooking a tip is less likely, one reason many ski schools have gone with all rockered models for their rentals. Rockers are also an advantage in soft snow. It’s recommended that rockers be skied a bit longer, 5-10 mms. W hen I check out new skis I have two goals. The f irst is to f ind sk is t hat I ca n recom mend for recreat iona l sk iers. The hardcore skiers don’t need my advice. They know what they want and usually have contacts with a shop so they can try a number of models.

Av er a ge s k ier s a r e more l i kely to look for recommendations. I look for skis that an intermediate skier can handle and offer high enough performance for that skier to advance w it hout mov i ng up i n equipment. T he s e c ond goa l i s to identif y sk is t hat I like. Usually, that goal is met with a race ski. While I will ski powder on those days we have some, I rarely go off piste, opting instead for cruising on groomers. Today’s GS skis are perfect for t h is t y pe of sk i i ng, especially now that we’re sk i i ng t hem i n shor ter

lengths. The longest pair of skis in my quiver are 180s a nd my persona l choice for this year is the Volk l Racet iger Speedwa l l GS UVO. Volkl calls this their “Beer leag ue race sk i.” At 70 m m s u nder foot, it ’s a little wider than the Race Stock GS at 65mms. The tip rocker makes it a little more forg iv i ng a nd t he UVO feature smooths out the ride. Cost: $999 with binding. In the Atomic line I found a lot of per for ma nce in t he Nomad Blackeye, comfortable for an intermediate with room to

grow, a lot of value for $600 with binding. My Atomic favorite was the Redster Double Deck 3.0 GS, a ski w it hout a spe e d l i m it . Manufacturer's suggested retail pice: $1,150, but look for it $100 or more less. Elan has a variety of models with the Morpheo series for value. The 4, 6 and 8 step up in price and performance. Learn on the 4 and advance to the 8 for $600 and get a high-performance ski. My favorite was the Ripstick Fusion, a GS t hat l i kes speed, $1000 with binding.

for all levels of ability, for sk iing on a nd of f piste, a nd plent y of va lue for the money. There are still systems out there and ski and binding combinations, but a lot more models now come what they call “Flat.” It simply means w ithout bindings, mostly brought about by skiers who wanted new skis but didn’t want to give up perfectly good bindings. My advice is talk with the shop guy or gal, select a few possible models and find way to demo them. The right ski can make your winter.

I could go on, but you get the message. Within the various brands are models

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