FRANCONIA NOTCH, New Hampshire — The New England Ski Museum has issued its 2009 Museum Shop Gift Catalog, the proceeds of which support the non-profit organization’s mission to collect, preserve and display aspects of the history of skiing in New England and beyond.

Designed by catalog designer Betsey Shepard of Yarmouth Maine, who works for catalog clients like LL Bean, the new catalog features more than 60 new products, of which 26 were developed by staff members from images in the Museum’s collections. Linda Bradshaw and Kay Kerr work all year to find vendors who can turn colorful print and poster images that reside in the collection into tasteful products that carry with them a touch of nostalgia for the glory days of the sport. Switch plates for wall switches, hand-painted ornaments from Uzbekistan, placemats with black and white and color images, napkin holders with Tuckerman Ravine artwork, and mirrors with vintage photographs are some of the exclusive products developed for this new catalog.

One of the most popular new products is the book Lost Ski Areas of the White Mountains by Museum Board member Jeremy Davis. Davis and two college friends started the New England Lost Ski Area Project website while they were undergraduates, and the site has grown to be a phenomenon in the ten years since, as the topic of abandoned or ‘lost’ ski areas has struck a chord in many skiers, both young and old. Davis’ book connects with the current exhibit in the Museum, Vanished From the Land: The Lost Ski Areas of New England.

Several other notable books are new ski area histories of major resorts.
Just in from the bindery is Mary Kerr’s book celebrating Mad River Glen, A Mountain Love Affair. John Christie, author of The Story of Sugarloaf, writes authoritatively, having been general manager of that resort. Robin Morning’s comprehensive Tracks of Passion: Eastern Sierra Skiing, Dave McCoy & Mammoth Mountain features over 1000 photographs and illustrations.

Scale models of Pisten Bully snow cats, neckties with skiing patterns, throw pillows with ski scenes, and the ever-popular vintage ski posters are among the favorite gifts for skiers in the catalog. All calls are answered and all order fulfillment takes place at the Museum’s Franconia Notch location, and staff members are never too busy to give callers an up-to-date weather and ski report from the North Country.

About the New England Ski Museum

Located in Franconia Notch next to the Cannon Mountain Tramway, NH, the New England Ski Museum is a non-profit, member-supported museum dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting aspects of ski history. The Museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM seven days a week from Memorial Day through the end of March. Admission is free. For more information call 800-639-4181 or visit www.skimuseum.org.