Tree Branch Sitting on Old Wood

Ski Families, #116

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Is your family ready to hit the slopes? As we head into winter, many of us are preparing to enjoy one of our state’s favorite seasonal activities. Today’s guests are admitted snow-lovers and longtime ski aficionados. Why does skiing, and Maine ski areas such as Sugarloaf, engender such loyalty? Listen in to our conversations with Cooper Friend, and John and Josh Christie find out more. Perhaps you will find yourself planning your own family excursion to the slopes this year. Thank you for joining us.

 

Guests

Cooper Friend

Cooper Friend

Cooper Friend grew up in Newport, Maine and graduated from Kimball Union Academy in 1972, and Nasson College in 1976. In 1976, he moved to Ellsworth, and Cooper has been in the motorcycle business ever since. He now own 4 Dealerships. In 1978, he married his college sweetheart, Meredith, with whom he had two children, Megan and Cooper. He now has two grandchildren, named Anders and Finn (“my daughter & son-in-law wanted their names to sound good in the starting gate for ski racing!”). He has been skiing at Sugarloaf since 1959.

John and Josh Christie

John Christie

John Christie started skiing at the Camden Snowbowl before he started school and has been spending his free time on skis ever since. At Bowdoin College, he entered competitions, and in 1958 he won the State Intercollegiate Downhill Champsionship. After graduation in 1959, John spent the next two years on fellowship at the University of Stockholm. After his return to the U.S. Christie got a job at Sugarloaf as the General Manager. He also served as the president of the Maine Ski Council, the Sugarloaf Ski Club, and the Ski Maine Association. After a brief break from the sport, John returned in 1993, when his twin sons learned to ski at the Camden Snowbowl. For his lifetime devotion to skiing, John Christie has earned a place in the Maine Ski Hall of Fame.

John and Josh Christie

Josh Christie

Josh Christie is a freelance writer and independent bookseller in coastal Maine. He regularly contributes to the Maine Sunday Telegram as a skiing and outdoors columnist, and sits on the board of the Eastern Ski Writers Association. Josh’s first book, Maine Beer: Brewing in Vacationland, was released this year. He lives with his wife in Yarmouth.

More from the Show

Our financial wellness tip of the week is brought to you by Tom Shepard of Shepard Financial. While Dr. Lisa Radio Hour business advisor, Marci Booth of BOOTH Maine, offers better business tips, Ted Carter of Ted Carter Inspired Landscapes shares important talking points, and Black Bear Medical covers health and fitness updates.