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Skiing News
CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine — Sugarloaf/USA will officially recognize the efforts of the man behind what has been called the longest continuous streak in skiing by renaming one of the resort's marquee trails.
On Sunday, April 17, a section of the fabled Narrow Gauge trail will be renamed Schipper's Streak in recognition of Paul Schipper who skied every day Sugarloaf has been open since the fall of 1980 until Jan. 3, 2005 for a total of 3,903 consecutive days. "Paul Schipper is the epitome of a Sugarloafer," said Karen Greene, Sugarloaf's brand manager. "He's dedicated, he has an unending passion for his home mountain, and he is truly committed to the sport that he has enjoyed throughout his life."
The Streak has been submitted for review to the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest streak of its kind in the world. "In our research, we haven't found anything that even comes close to the magnitude of Paul's streak," said Bill Swain, Sugarloaf's communications manager. "There have been folks who have skied on every continent, every day of the year, and things of that sort, but I can't find anyone who can say they've skied every day a resort has been open for nearly 25 years. If Paul's Streak isn't a World Record, I don't know what is."
Schipper's achievement will be permanently recognized on the trail that bears his name with a commemorative plaque recounting his accomplishment. "Paul has been a Sugarloaf landmark for more 25 years," said Rich "Crusher" Wilkinson, Sugarloaf's vice president of mountain operations and a long time friend of Schipper's. "This way we hope to share Paul's commitment to Sugarloaf with future generations of Sugarloafers."
Paul Schipper will officially unveil Schipper's Streak during a brief ceremony at 11 am. The skiing public is encouraged to attend. Following the unveiling, Paul will be the guest of honor at Sugarloaf's annual Season Pass Holder Barbeque at the Sugarloaf Inn.
Naming trails after individuals has been something reserved only for those whose contributions to Sugarloaf are unequaled. In 54 years, only four trails have been named in honor of individuals. Winter's Way was Sugarloaf's first trail and is named in honor of Amos Winter, Sugarloaf's founder. King's Landing is named after King Cummings, a former owner of the resort who guided Sugarloaf to national prominence. Stub's Glade recognizes the efforts of Stub Taylor, who is one of the original Bigelow Boys who founded Sugarloaf. He was also the resort's first ski patroller, a long time patrol director and is said to have been involved in cutting every trail at Sugarloaf. Fred's Pitch Glade is named in honor of Fred Webster, who was a long time ski patroller and groomer.
The Narrow Gauge trail earned international recognition when Sugarloaf hosted the 1971 World Cup downhill. That year most of Europe was in the midst of a significant snow drought that almost prompted an early conclusion to the World Cup season. At the last minute, Sugarloaf agreed to host multiple events in a race that would ultimately determine the overall World Cup champion. To this day, Narrow Gauge is the only trail in the east that is certified to host all four alpine disciplines at the FIS World Cup level.
On Sunday, April 17, a section of the fabled Narrow Gauge trail will be renamed Schipper's Streak in recognition of Paul Schipper who skied every day Sugarloaf has been open since the fall of 1980 until Jan. 3, 2005 for a total of 3,903 consecutive days. "Paul Schipper is the epitome of a Sugarloafer," said Karen Greene, Sugarloaf's brand manager. "He's dedicated, he has an unending passion for his home mountain, and he is truly committed to the sport that he has enjoyed throughout his life."
The Streak has been submitted for review to the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest streak of its kind in the world. "In our research, we haven't found anything that even comes close to the magnitude of Paul's streak," said Bill Swain, Sugarloaf's communications manager. "There have been folks who have skied on every continent, every day of the year, and things of that sort, but I can't find anyone who can say they've skied every day a resort has been open for nearly 25 years. If Paul's Streak isn't a World Record, I don't know what is."
Schipper's achievement will be permanently recognized on the trail that bears his name with a commemorative plaque recounting his accomplishment. "Paul has been a Sugarloaf landmark for more 25 years," said Rich "Crusher" Wilkinson, Sugarloaf's vice president of mountain operations and a long time friend of Schipper's. "This way we hope to share Paul's commitment to Sugarloaf with future generations of Sugarloafers."
Paul Schipper will officially unveil Schipper's Streak during a brief ceremony at 11 am. The skiing public is encouraged to attend. Following the unveiling, Paul will be the guest of honor at Sugarloaf's annual Season Pass Holder Barbeque at the Sugarloaf Inn.
Naming trails after individuals has been something reserved only for those whose contributions to Sugarloaf are unequaled. In 54 years, only four trails have been named in honor of individuals. Winter's Way was Sugarloaf's first trail and is named in honor of Amos Winter, Sugarloaf's founder. King's Landing is named after King Cummings, a former owner of the resort who guided Sugarloaf to national prominence. Stub's Glade recognizes the efforts of Stub Taylor, who is one of the original Bigelow Boys who founded Sugarloaf. He was also the resort's first ski patroller, a long time patrol director and is said to have been involved in cutting every trail at Sugarloaf. Fred's Pitch Glade is named in honor of Fred Webster, who was a long time ski patroller and groomer.
The Narrow Gauge trail earned international recognition when Sugarloaf hosted the 1971 World Cup downhill. That year most of Europe was in the midst of a significant snow drought that almost prompted an early conclusion to the World Cup season. At the last minute, Sugarloaf agreed to host multiple events in a race that would ultimately determine the overall World Cup champion. To this day, Narrow Gauge is the only trail in the east that is certified to host all four alpine disciplines at the FIS World Cup level.
