Historical collection of wooden XC skis at Carter’s XC Ski Center
The traditional way of skiing (from the 1920’s on) was celebrated at the annual Wooden Ski Day at Carter’s XC Ski Center in Bethel, Maine. The event has been run for about 40 years at Carter’s, which began operating in 1984. In the early days of skiing everyone used wooden skis because synthetics had not begun to be used in ski manufacturing. Soon after the Carters started the family XC ski business, they acquired a pair of 12-foot long wooden skis, which they believe is the longest pair of wooden skis in New England! And there are stories about Dave Carter, who has since passed away, joining some relay team members to race on those 12-foot skis.
Anne Carter of Carter’s XC Ski Ctr shows a pair of wooden skis that they made for their kids decades ago
Nowadays, wooden skis are often used as wall decorations but there are still a few skiers who love the feel of wood under their ski boots. Many people refer to wooden skis as vintage or retro but while it may be fun on any type of XC skis, when compared to most modern skis, their performance is not in the same league. Keep in mind as we aggrandize the past ski equipment, that new equipment including skis, boots, bindings, and poles will significantly outperform wooden skis, light leather boots, 3-pin bindings, and so on. For example, the pair of Bonna 1800 skis that I borrowed for the Wooden Ski Day parade were terribly warped in the ski tail, which is common for many pairs of the wooden skis that still exist.
Maine Ski Museum’s Glenn Parkinson shared his knowledge about vintage gear with folks at the Wooden Ski Day
Ski historian, Glenn Parkinson, currently the president of the Maine Ski & Snowboard Museum, shared his knowledge of ski history at the event and he is one that knows about it. In 1995, Parkinson published the book called “First Tracks” that traced skiing in Maine back to the 1870’s. The book covers Maine’s skiing heritage from the time when Swedes immigrated to the state and brought what they called “skees” to clear snow-covered forests for settlers. In those days ski wax was known as “dope.” Parkinson’s book covers all of Maine’s ski history with photographs, skiing characters, ski trains and winter carnivals, lost ski areas, and a chronological chart of the historical highlights between 1870 and 1938.
Carter’s XC Ski Center owners Anne and Jess Carter celebrate Wooden Ski Day. Jess is on the 12 foot skis, the longest skis in New England!
Carter’s XC Ski Center complimented folks who participated on wooden skis with free trail passes. All the people who donned wooden skis held a short parade and prizes were given based on most “old-timey” or traditional Nordic ski wear, retro 70’s/80’s ski wear, and finally, most overall creative. There was live music with a local jazzy folk band, a bonfire, and Norway Brewing Co. served beer. A portion of the day’s profits at Carter’s benefited the Maine Ski & Snowboard Museum.