Made in Maine

The Ski Museum of Maine is taking a leadership role in a national program to document and publish the story of American companies and individuals who have played a key role in designing and manufacturing skis, ski boots, bindings and other equipment. Maine was once a major manufacturer of skis and boots, so this national project naturally falls within the Museum's mission.

The entire history of Maine-made skis and other equipment is presented in one of the Museum's Fireside Chats, a narrated digital slideshow that is presented throughout the state.

Although the Museum owns (or possesses on loan) quite a number of skis and boots made in Maine, one of the first tasks of the project is to locate and document collections held by historical societies, companies and private collectors.



The earliest skis made in Maine were fairly primitive devices, mostly hand-crafted by Swedish immigrants. Little more than planks with upturned tips and simple toe loops, these skis were intended solely for transportation during the winter. In the photo above, Linda Callison of the Stockholm Historical Society poses by her organization's collection of antique skis. (Scott Andrews photo)





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Here's an example of a hand-crafted ski with a little bit of decoration, from the collection of the Maine Winter Sports Center, currently displayed at Nordic Heritage Ski Center in Presque Isle. The "snow rose" design was adopted by MWSC as its logo and graphic image. (Scott Andrews photo)


Finnish immigrants inspired the Paris Manufacturing Company to enter the ski business in 1900. At the time Paris was a large woodworking firm that specialized in sleds and other children's toys, and skis were a natural extension of their core business.



A view of Paris Manufacturing Company's factory in South Paris. (Image courtesy Paul Cote)







Paris Manufacturing Company started making skis in 1900 and exited the ski business in 1965. The above photo represents the "timeline bookends" of the company's ski manufacturing business. On top is an example from about 1905; below is an example from the mid-1950s. Both pair are from the Ski Museum of Maine collection. (Jay York photo)