FARMINGTON – A local ski enthusiast and author has memorialized the community’s ski slope with a new book dedicated to the area’s history.
Megan Roberts has more than 50 years of experience at Titcomb Mountain, including several as its manager, and has served as the president of the Ski Maine Association and the first executive director of the Ski Museum of Maine. In 2015, she was inducted into the Maine Ski Hall of Fame.
More recently, she’s been working on a book utilizing the Farmington Ski Club archives. The book, Titcomb, a Mountain of Ski Memories, focuses on the history of Titcomb Mountain and the people that skied it over the years, going back to the original Franklin Ski and Outing Club that dates back to 1939. The first lift was added in 1942. Generations of residents have skied on Titcomb, from children participating in ski school to students in the Nordic and Alpine programs to families enjoying it on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
“I decided to write it because I thought the history should be preserved,” Roberts said. She added that she got “nervous” when there was only a single set of documentation for something, as was the case for the Farmington Ski Club archives.
The 112-page book goes over 80 years of history, using roughly 150 pictures collected from the archives. Roberts was struck by the ski slope’s history, she said, particularly how it persisted through the 70s and 80s when a number of small ski resorts closed. It’s persistence was a credit to the volunteers and support by local businesses, Roberts said.
“I wrote the book to be fun for people interested in Titcomb,” Roberts said. “It’s fun to look at how is was years ago and how so much has changed and yet stayed the same.”
The book will offered at Titcomb Mountain and DDG Booksellers in Farmington. Roberts said that $1 of the cost of each of the first 500 books sold would be donated to Titcomb.
Roberts is planning a series of events revolving around the book. A complete schedule can be found here:
Oct. 25 at the Farmington Public Library, 6-7 p.m. Roberts will be talking about the process of writing the book, then signing. Refreshments will be served.
Nov. 2 and 3 at Mt. Blue High School at the Winter Equipment Sale.
Nov. 20 at the Portland Print: A Bookstore, 273 Congress Street, 7-8 p.m.
Nov. 24 at the Devaney Doak and Garrett Booksellers, Farmington, 10 – 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 1 at the Chester Greenwood Day with the Chamber, place to be announced
Dec. 6 at the Wilton Public Library, Wilton 7 – 8 p.m. Roberts will be talking about the process of writing the book, then signing.
Dec. 15 at the Titcomb Mountain Pancake Breakfast, Titcomb Mountain
Dec. 20 at the Key Bank, Wilton, Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m.
Roberts can be reached at 778-2964 or emailed at skionpublications@gmail.com to get a book.
Very interesting read. Lots of hard work went into this and I enjoyed looking at all the old photographs. I didn’t know my Dad was the captain of the first ski patrol which I was a member of for several years, many years after. Thanks Megan for all your work.
Great job Megan, I am so glad you are keeping the memories alive for future generations that may be interested in some local history.
Congratulations on publishing this book on the history of Titicomb Ski Slope. Thank you for preserving this history and being the conduit for so many wonderful memories of learning to ski there and hanging out with friends night skiing and drinking hot chocolate. Good job!
As a kid, Wednesday nites, under the lights, no homework to do, my mother, Hester Davis, knitting me another sweater (or boot socks) in the club house……………………….who said winters were boring in Maine!
I hope Megan documents the removal of the big “pine” tree in the middle of the slope I had somewhat of an ongoing close relationship with that tree!
I hiked up Titcomb yesterday evening with a friend and her kids. We sat at the top, had a beer and looked out over the gorgeous scenery. “This place is a treasure, we’re so lucky that Farmington has Titcomb,” I remarked. I remember when my eldest son was 5 years old, and for the first time went up the t-bar on his own. I admit I had a couple tears in my eyes thinking, “so great that kids can master the mountain at such a young age – so good for their self-esteem and confidence!”
This is one book I must purchase and read – thanks, Megan, for documenting the history, I look forward to learning more. Gotta get to the bookstore….
There’s nothing more appreciated than preserving local history. Megan….your Dad would be proud.
Can’t wait to get my hands on one.
There’s nothing more appreciated than preserving local history. Megan….your Dad would be proud.
Can’t wait to get my hands on one. And Scott, you’re so right. It’s the little “mountain” that has trained
many really good skiers. And it is a treasure. Both my kids aren’t afraid to tackle much larger and more
difficult slopes because of their early training at Titcomb. We all look back at it as some of the best fun ever!
And we still love the french fries.
Thanks for the memories, Megan. I took ski lessons with Roger Wing, adult course through UMF, at Titcomb. My kid brothers and my daughter took lessons and learned to ski at Saturday morning lessons. A treasure for the community, for sure.
Chuck, you reminded me of how intimidating that pine tree was as a kid! I also remember being dragged up the mountain by that rope tow many a time until I was big enough to put one hand in front of me and one hand behind my back. My attempts at the poma lift weren’t much better trying to stay on thru the ruts at the top without sitting down on that disc and getting thrown off before the top! Very funny now looking back.
Wicked cool book! Looked through it the other day at the woodsman in kingfield . Brings back tons of memories!
Ruth: When I’m in the area, usually late summer – fall for a few weeks, I always stop by the “mountain’ for a rememberance look-see and never noticed that tree had disappeared! I sure remember skiing down and around it as a kid
Stopped by last month and had a nice visit with Seth who is doing a great job promoting the mountain off season
I agree with Nancy, your Dad would be proud! Titcomb is a town treasure and I am so glad it survived to today. I learned to ski there as a kid when my parents would drop us off in the morning, then come pick us up when the lifts closed. My experiences there led to my love of skiing and that led me to my life’s work in the ski industry. Also, my love of history was influenced by many conversations with your Dad, Megan. I can’t wait to get a copy of the book.
Thanks for completing this project.
I fondly remember icy, wet mittens and the rope tow. And checking at the top of the Poma lift to see if I still had everything that I had when I started at the bottom. Night skiing on the unlit then narrow trails at the top. The comfortable controlled skiing of Wes Marco and the sedate skiing of Richard Gould. The jump! The gangly winning slalom runs of Icky Webber. and the power of Jill Flint. The small counter at the corner to the left of the fireplace in the single room lodge. Sarah Folger serving hot cocoa
Great job Megan. Saw a copy today at the Woodsman.
Quite a few years ago the National Nordic Combined Team made a training visit to the “mountain”
Seth “suggested” last month that there was talk of the jumping hill reappearing, no details, probably something to do with $