September 26, 2013 (Stowe, Vermont) – The year-long Nordic Exhibit, that opens November 2 at the Vermont Ski And Snowboard Museum, will coincide with the 2014 Winter Olympics and will chronicle the development of Nordic skiing in Vermont with particular focus on how Vermonters shaped the sport for the United States through technological innovations, industry associations, ski destination promotions – all as a result of a diverse landscape and trail network for winter fun enjoyed by recreational and competitive ski enthusiasts.

How Vermont’s Nordic Traditions Shaped Both Sport & Industry
“It is all very wonderful to be whisked to the top of the mountain and then slide down…but the person who has never strapped a knapsack on his back and gone on an all-day exploratory ski trip has missed one of the finest experience winter can offer,” said Fred Harris, a pioneer of outdoor winter recreation (1960)

Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum Overview
The Vermont Ski Museum was founded in 1988 by Roy Newton, then editor of Vermont Ski News. The Museum moved to Stowe in 2002 into an 1818 Old Town Hall. Through a 1.4 million dollar capital campaign the building was renovated to museum standards. In 2013, the Museum thrives and includes snowboarding in its name and mission. The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum (VSSM) collects, preserves and celebrates Vermont’s skiing and snowboarding history.

The VSSM strives to create visually stimulating, historically in-depth exhibits and interesting programs. The foundation is a strong collection. Since the Museum began collecting in 2002, the collection has more than doubled. There are currently over 7300 catalogued items (this number does not account for the fact that most ski equipment comes in pairs!)

In November 2003, the Museum inducted the over 250 10th Mountain Division members from Vermont into the Vermont Ski Museum Hall of Fame. This collection more than doubled during the research and installation of the accompanying exhibit Vermont and the 10th Mountain Division.

The Library and Archives represents a large portion of the Museum’s holdings, including over 900 books, 350 magazines, 100 postcards, 50 instructional booklets, 400 pamphlets related to Vermont ski areas and some original photography and film footage.

Another valuable part of the collection is a growing number of oral histories. With digital equipment valued at $15,000 the Museum has recorded the stories of skiing pioneers, icons, lift operators, coaches, and Olympians.
Museum Hall of Fame Nordic Inductees who promoted and/or contributed to the sport of skiing include Biathlon: John Morton, Jan Reynolds; Classic and Skate: Bill Koch, John Caldwell, Bob Gray, Larry Damon, Ned Gillette, Mike Gallagher, Tim Caldwell, Martha Rockwell, Leslie Thompson Hall, Warren Chivers; Pioneers: Johannes Von Trapp, Fred Harris, Bucky Broomhall.

The Museum is also a venue for storytelling – from reminding visitors of their own histories to hosting specific events to bring stories to an audience. The Museum has brought Olympians, industry pioneers, explorers, and artists to the Museum to address topics particular to exhibits.

The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum is fulfilling an important role by preserving the history of an important economic and social part of Vermont. The 2014 Nordic Exhibit promises to engage a larger audience in understanding the people, events, and things that have made Vermont a leader in Nordic skiing.

To celebrate Vermont contributions to the sport and culture of Nordic skiing, the Vermont Ski and Snowboard museum will feature artifacts and anecdotes for a curated Olympic year display launching this fall.

Highlighting the past, present and future of Vermont Nordic skiing, the display grand opening is slated for November 2, 2013 followed by an evening gala event at the Trapp Family Lodge.

The physical exhibit will celebrate all aspects of the sport: classic and skate skiing; Nordic combined; biathlon; ski jumping; telemark and backcountry skiing. The planned roster of displays includes:

– Vermont Olympians & US Ski Team members
– Vermont’s Lost Cross Country Ski Areas and Ski Jumps
– Vermont’s All-time Nordic Events
– Vermont Nordic Equipment and Clothing Companies (past & present)
– Vermont Nordic Ski Clubs and Youth Ski Leagues
– Vermont Collegiate, Private Academy and High School Nordic Programs
– Vermont Contributions to Nordic Ski Industry Associations
– Vermont as a Nordic Skiing Destination.

Spearheaded by outdoor industry veterans Rob Center and Poppy Gall, the volunteer effort includes a who’s Who of Vermont Olympic team members, ski media and ski industry professionals:

– Jim Galanes: Twelve year member of the US Ski Team and a three-time Olympian.
– Trina Hosmer: Member of the first U.S. Women’s Cross-Country Ski Team. Competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics, and the 1972 and 1974 World Championships.
– Peter Graves: Television sportscaster and public address announcer specializing in Olympic,
lifestyle and action sports. He was also the former cross-country ski coach for Harvard.
– Bob Woodward: Cross-country ski journalist beginning in 1974 at Nordic World; Editor of Ski Magazine’s annual “Guide To Cross-Country Skiing”; freelance writer and photographer for Powder, Outside, Cross- Country Skier, Ski X-C, Backpacker, and SkiTrax. Edited and published the popular SNEWS newsletter for 22 years. Owned and operated the Fischer- Swix-Salomon summer ski camps for 15 years. Bob lives in Bend, Oregon where he has served as Mayor.
– Tom Slayton: Journalist with a strong interest in environmental issues and the outdoors. A regular commentator on Vermont Public Radio. Former editor of Vermont Life magazine.
– John Douglas: Former Vice President of Marketing, Rossignol Ski Company.
– Jim Fredericks: Past Executive Director, Catamount Trail Association; former director of the Rossignol Nordic team.
– Gregory Gerdel: Chief of Research and Operations – State of Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. Montpelier High School Ski Coach.
– Tony Clark: Owner of Blueberry Hill Inn. Has been involved and contributed to every segment of the cross country ski industry since 1971. Championed the creation of the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area.
– John Tidd: Joined North American Nordic group in 1972, eventually owning the Mountain Meadows Cross Country Ski Center. Later started Tidd Tech Ltd. to manufacture snow grooming equipment. Helped create EPSTI and its transition to PSIA.
– Gene Foley: Over 40 years of involvement in the sport. Owner, Ole’s Cross Country Ski Center. Past President of Cross Country Ski Areas of America.
– Abby Weisman: New England Nordic Ski Association Youth & Introductory Programs Director.
– Pennie McEdward-Rand: After a Nordic racing career, became a certified PSIA Instructor. Taught and supervised a Nordic program in Australia and has raced in Sweden’s Vassaloppet. Former Executive Director Catamount Trail Association.
– Poppy Gall: Being a Vermonter and a skier has shaped a 30-year career as an apparel supplier to the Ski and Outdoor industries. Promoted telemark racing and founded the Rossignol sponsored Women’s Nordic Ski Clinics in Stowe in 1995.
– Rob Center: 37 years in the outdoor industry. Started as a cross country ski operator, served as President of Vermont Ski Touring Operators Association and a director on Cross Country Ski Areas of America. Former management principal at Mad River Canoe. Co-founder of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.

See more photos at our flickr site and more film clips on our youtube site.