A Visit to the New England Ski Museum, North Conway, NH
Anyone who loves skiing will love this museum--currently operating in two locations as described on their website. Old-timers will have their memories jogged by the exhibits featuring old equipment and photos of "lost" ski areas. Those new to the sport will learn the "backstory" of their current winter fun. For this visitor highlights included the skis, boots and vintage posters.
Wood skis. Remember these? The cable bindings held boots in tight with no emergency release. A serious fall meant something might break--the question was whether it would be a ski, or a leg! On the up side, releasing the cable from the rear brackets transformed the skis from downhill to cross-country. Getting to the lift was an easy glide. Hook the cable back under the bracket to go downhill.
Leather, lace-up ski boots. What an ordeal! Wool sock liners, then a heavy wool sock. Lace the inside boot as tight as possible and then the outside one even tighter. Regardless, by mid-day the moisture from the snow had stretched the leather loose so socks were wet and feet were COLD!
The Skimobile. This is not your average ski-doo! This was a set of tracked cars that skiers rode to the top of Mt Cranmore. Installed in 1938 and removed in 1990, it is a fond remembrance but the high speed quad that replaced it will not yield to nostalgia.
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