May 20th is the 30th Annual Sugarloaf Marathon & 15K. The Sugarloaf Marathon is Maine’s oldest continuously run marathon, drawing over 1500 runners from all over the U.S. and Eastern Canada this year. Along Maine’s Scenic By-way Route 27, it is by far, the most scenic run imaginable w/ views of Flagstaff Lake & the Bigelow Range, & the road following the Carrabassett River to downtown Kingfield from Sugarloaf. The marathon has been ranked among the fastest in the country, and is the only Maine race which is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Read More… »
  
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Who doesn’t love a boat ride?!?
May 14th, 2012 Posted in Local Activities
Flagstaff Lake offers flat-water boating with a view that will leave you awestruck! If you’re not a boat owner.. local or visiting, or if you have family or friends who you’d like to share a special occasion with, or you want to make it part of your Maine Huts & Trails experience to Flagstaff Hut, Flagstaff Boat Tours is what you want! Jeff Hinman has a beautiful pontoon boat for a comfortable ride, & a wealth of local knowledge on the creation of the lake, as well as wildlife, the Arnold Expedition to Quebec, & all kinds of fascinating information about the area. It’s definitely something to do this summer in the western mountains of Maine. Read More… »
What to do this weekend in the Western Mountain Region
May 11th, 2012 Posted in Local Activities
In the Sugarloaf region this weekend? Looking for some ideas on things to do? Well read on folks… Read More… »
Carrabassett Valley Bike Shop
May 11th, 2012 Posted in Local Activities, Sugarloaf
Mountain biking in the Carrabassett Region is getting BIG. The last couple years has seen new singletrack, improved and maintained trails, the Carrabassett Backcountry Challenge, the forming of the Carrabassett Region chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association and lots more. One aspect that has been lacking is a bike shop. Well the time is right to change that and CV local Bob Ash has stepped up to the plate (or clicked both feet in) and the result is the Carrabassett Valley Bike Shop located at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center. See his interview below on the WSKI set earlier this spring to learn more… Read More… »
Other cameras captured the spirit of Sugarloaf long before WSKI’s
May 7th, 2012 Posted in From The Archives
We are grateful to the Foster family for giving WSKI a copy of their home movies from 1964 at Sugarloaf when the hardy skiers worked & played with gusto to create the grand reputation of ’Sugarloaf’ that so many now know & love! This fantastic footage shows so many changes (fashions!!), & yet so many things that haven’t (can you ID the trails??)! ….. the fly over is great!!!…. Read More… »
Current Events
May 7th, 2012 Posted in Events
WSKI gives viewers the latest information on events & activities around the western mountains of Maine.
Updated weekly so you don’t miss out on any of the great things to do in the region! Read More… »
What to do this weekend in the Western Mtns
May 4th, 2012 Posted in Events, Local Activities
Lots happening this weekend in the Western Mountains of Maine. Let’s start off with the weather. Forecasts call for rain and drizzle to end Saturday. We should see highs around 60 degrees on Saturday with overnight lows in the mid 30′s. Sunday looks like the pick of the weekend with forecasted highs in the mid 60′s with full sunshine, perfect for any outdoor activities. You can always find local weather & what’s happening here on our website: http://www.wskitv.com/latest-video-forecast/ Read More… »
Appalachian Trail: Endless opportunities right in our backyard
May 4th, 2012 Posted in Local Activities
The Appalachian Trail runs from Springer Mtn in Georgia to Katahdin here in Maine and offers endless oppurtunities for backpacking trips, day hikes or even a 6 month thru hike of its more than 2,000 miles of trail. The best thing about the Appalachian Trail is that it’s right here in our backyard and runs right through the Carrabassett Region and western mountains of Maine. The “AT” can be enjoyed in any season whether you’re wearing your hiking boots or you snowshoes. Below are three hikes you can enjoy that are only minutes from Sugarloaf Ski Resort. Follow the white blazes and get out and enjoy this wonderful resource that’s part of why we call this region Our Home year-round! Read More… »
Kids + Summer in the western mountains region = FUN!!!
May 2nd, 2012 Posted in Events, Local Activities, Sugarloaf
There’s no better way to spend summer vacation when you’re a kid than playing outside, especially when you have so many activities to choose from & such a wonderful setting with awesome people to show you how! From hiking to swimming, golf to mountain biking … and the AGC’s 35′ climbing wall & drama or art indoors when weather isn’t great: the Sugarloaf Outdoor Adventure Camp runs from July 9 – August 17 for kids from 4 to 13 years, Monday-Friday. This reminder from Marcia White during the Easter morning Mountain Report for campers to join in the fun for single days, or by the week, is an invitation to make reservations sooner than later for this always popular program of exceptional value! For more information about Outdoor Adventure Camp, 207-237-6909 Read More… »
Take a ride back in time with Susan in a Stanley Steamer
April 29th, 2012 Posted in From The Archives, Local Activities
The Stanley Steamer is one of those special inventions that you fall in love with when you first see (& hear!) one, if you should be so fortunate! This video from WSKI’s Archives by an unknown producer is timeless in its presentation of one of the incredible creations of the brilliant Stanley brothers of Kingfield at the turn of the 18th-19th century. As stated in the mission of the Stanley Museum, where you can see actual Steam Cars (1905, 1909, 1910, 1916), & other inventions including Air-Brush Portraits, Paintings, Violins, Photographs, & more: ‘The Stanley Museum keeps and shares the traditions of Yankee Ingenuity and creativity as exemplified by the Stanley family in order to inspire those values in children and adults’. The Museum commemorates and preserves the heritage of the Stanley family genius, including sister, Chansonetta, whose photographs depicting rural turn-of-the-century American life can also be viewed at 40 School Street, Kingfield. Museum hours: June through October, Tuesday to Sunday 1 to 4 PM; November through May, Tuesday to Friday 1 to 4 PM; or by appointment. www.stanleymuseum.org Read More… »
Current Activities
April 29th, 2012 Posted in Local Activities
WSKI gives viewers the latest information on events & activities around the western mountains of Maine.
Read More… »
Sugarloaf Cooking with Kathy: Ricotta Cake!
April 26th, 2012 Posted in Cooking with Kathy
We hope you’ve seen Sugarloaf Cooking with Kathy (airs twice daily on WSKI-TV 17) because whatever Chef Kathy Bechtel creates is not only delicious & easy to prepare, but also made with ingredients from local area farms: from greens & tomatoes, chicken & cheese, to apples & freshly ground flour, good food has never been better for you/the environment! WSKI is a HUGE supporter of farmers & contributing to the local economy, AND we’re all for fabulous feasts; enjoy this segment with Kathy & special guest Amy Clark of Crooked Face Creamery in Norridgewock who brought some incredible cheeses including fresh home-made ricotta for a Ricotta Cake that will surprise & delight you/your guests. FMI:ww.italiaoutdoorsfoodandwine.com Read More… »
You never get over having your hometown permanently flooded over….
April 26th, 2012 Posted in People
The Dead River was dammed in the 1950s to create Flagstaff Lake as a water storage facility for hydro power at a time when citizens had little to say about the demise of their village, farms, & life as they knew it on the north side of Bigelow Mountain. Betty Wyman was a girl at the time, & she visited WSKI with her son, Eustis/Stratton selectman Jay Wyman, to share memories of growing up in the western mountains of Maine, before there was skiing, & before there was a Flagstaff Lake. Read More… »
North Branch of Dead River
April 24th, 2012 Posted in Local Activities
When the water is flowing at moderate levels (like it is at the moment!), the North Branch of the Dead River above Eustis is a PERFECT stretch of water for kayak or canoe! Sarampus Falls is about 15 minutes north of Stratton Village with a State Rest Area for putting in. The water is just exciting enough to be fun, without being too radical for paddlers of less than extreme abilities, so grab a boat & paddle, & head north! Remember, the water’s SUPER CHILLY in spring running off the mountains, so PFDs are worn by the wise!!!! Read More… »
Pack your passport for a Day-trip North for a Quebec Adventure
April 20th, 2012 Posted in Local Activities, People
Brush off your “Bonjour” & “Merci!” One hour from Sugarloaf, via the Rt 27 Scenic Byway north to Canada, is the Megantic Region of Quebec’s Eastern Townships. Fabulous French cuisine, Quebec culture & a TON of activities & events make this region a uniquely intriguing neighbor for the western mountains of Maine. Adventure is part of the Quebec Psyche, for sure! From casual fun to extreme challenges such as the International (12 mile length) Lac Megantic swim, to the incredible Observatory atop Mt. Megantic, there is something for everyone, & all with that wonderful French Canadian flavor that you can’t experience anywhere else: www.tourisme-megantic.com. Read More… »
Green Farm Girls have Green Thumbs!
April 19th, 2012 Posted in Local Activities, People
And they are happy to share the love of all things green & growing especially in the Springtime! Gail & her crew have been growing a variety of flowers & other plants in her greenhouses on the site of the old Green Farm in Coplin on the road to Rangeley for years, with the entire region benefitting from the flowers & plants, indoors & out, that adorn homes, businesses & properties. Be inspired & pay them a visit if you’d like to add more color & life to your place at home or work! Read More… »
There were other winners this Reggae Weekend!
April 16th, 2012 Posted in Events, WSKI
Mark Schwartz might’ve been the big grand prize winner of the Spillway Chair, but there were plenty of other people who will leave the mountain with a slightly fuller vehicle than when they arrived. On Saturday Night, Brittney had a little contest: Whoever could make it up to the base of WSKI’s Quad Cam would win a snowboard! Connor Darling, Daniel Wadman and Garrett Allen, three friends, were the first to arrive. But it was just one snowboard! So how did the gentlemen decide who would ultimately get the prize? Watch the video to find out. Read More… »
Congrats to Mark Schwartz for winning the Spillway Chair!
April 15th, 2012 Posted in Events, WSKI 
Watch and Win for the winter season wrapped up on Sunday morning and Kip was there to finally draw the name of the lucky winner of an authentic, limited-edition Spillway Chair! As Kip would say, you don’t get prizes like that on the Today Show! Kip was joined by John Byrne of the Sugarloaf Ski Shop as well as the Lovely Lifty Ladies Holly Tienken and Virginia Walck to help pick the name! Thank you to all of our loyal listeners for tuning in this season. It’s been a strange one, but we’ve had a great year regardless and stay tuned to WSKI all summer long. We’ll be back on Homecoming weekend with an all new season of live shows!
22nd NE Pan Festival happening here!
April 12th, 2012 Posted in Events, Music
Don’t knock it till you’ve heard it!! And even more fun to participate by playing! Steel drums can produce great sounds & the proof can be seen & heard at Sugarloaf May 5 when our local Steel Drum Band from Stratton plays Host to groups from all over New England. There’s no charge so pack up the kids & head to the Mountain for some amazing music: the sounds of Steel Drums are indeed fabulously surprising! Read More… »
Partnerships are a great way to move forward
April 11th, 2012 Posted in People
Greater Franklin Development Corporation was established in an effort to strengthen economic development in the greater Franklin County area. Their goal is to create and retain quality employment opportunities in Franklin County by attracting new businesses, assisting local employers, and encouraging entrepreneurship. The Franklin County Tourism Network was formed under the umbrella of the GFDC to specifically address economic development issues relating to the Tourism industry which is the largest economic driver particularly in the northern areas of Franklin County, so WSKI invited Alison Hagerstrom & Shelby Childs to share with our viewers what they are doing to promote job creation & a healthier economy for the towns we serve in the western Maine mountains. Read More… »
