Karen Campbell, owner of KC’s Kreativity Center in Carrabassett Valley, shows off this “cap-tivating dress” that took her over 100 hours to make from beer caps. This over-the-dress jacket, for $1,500, was just one of the items that Campbell had on sale at her booth at the annual Up Country Arts and Crafts show at the Sugarloaf Base Lodge Saturday as part of the Homecoming events. (Laura Dunham photo) CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Hundreds of vehicles lined Route 27 Saturday, Oct. 10 for the annual Homecoming events. Attendees hoped to be among the first to get to the Carrabassett Valley Academy’s Used Ski Equipment Sale. And up at the mountain, parking spaces became limited as everyone tried to get to the annual Up Country Artist Arts and Crafts sale which featured over 50 exhibitors from across the state.

At the Sugarloaf Inn, the conference room was packed for the annual Sugarloaf meeting which was hosted by General Manager John Diller.

Diller updated those present on the some $1.8 million in improvements being done at the resort, stating that Boyne, the owner since 2007, is committed to “snowmaking.” Diller and Rich Wilkinson, Director of Mountain Operations, showed colored slides of the proposed improvements including a new 12 x 16 building at the top of Gondola line and the construction of a wind fence. They also noted that the resort had obtained permits to be able to use additional water from Caribou Pond for snowmaking.

Diller also said that there was a 17 percent increase in bus ridership this past ski season and that 150,000 took advantage of the public bus system. Diller also noted that over $600,000 would be spent this year at the Sugarloaf Hotel on new Boyne beds and other furnishings.

Scott Hoisington, Director of Golf, outlined the $45,000 in improvements on the 6th hole this year to try to widen the pathway.

Don Fowler, of Carrabassett Valley, and Frank Rogers, of Kingfield, line up for sausages, hotdogs and hamburgers cooked by Terry Tomm and Wally Hovey at the Ira Mountain development hosted by Adrian and Cecile Brochu Saturday. The food is served and games for the children played each year (over the past seven) as part of the Homecoming events. (Laura Dunham photo) Brad Larsen, the new Director of Sales and Marketing, said that 48 percent of the ski business this past year came from Maine and 28 percent from Massachusetts and that the call center had fielded some 55,000 telephone calls.

John Christie addressed the skiers on the location of the new Ski Museum of Maine now at the Sports Outlet in Kingfield, adding that there would be a need for volunteers to man the center during the ski season. Christie, president of the Ski Museum, said that they were lucky to find the new home that would cost them only $1 a year in rental and was pleased to tell those present that Larry Warren had stepped up and paid that first year rental.

Scott Russell, Assistant General Manager of the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, shows off one of the new Boyne beds and linen packages which will be placed in all of the 119 rooms of the hotel. The beds are part of a $600,000 improvement package of new beds and furnishings that will be completed at the hotel before ski season commences. (Laura Dunham photo) Also speaking to those present was John Ritzo, Head Master at the Carrabassett Valley Ski Academy, who said that this year’s enrollment of 110 students was one of the largest and from so many countries including Austria, New Zealand and Spain.

Bruce Miles president of the Sugarloaf Ski Club brought everyone up to date on the club’s activities, reminding everyone of the Sugarloaf Charity Summit on Jan. 30. “It will be a fun day,” said Miles.


Rich Wilkinson, Director of Sugarloaf’s Mountain Operations, John Diller, General Manager and Brad Larsen, Director of Sales and Marketing speak to a packed audience at the Sugarloaf Inn Saturday, Oct. 10 as part of the Homecoming events. The annual meeting was well attended (above left). (Laura Dunham photo)