Sunday River
Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future
By David Irons
Foreword by John Christie
9.25 x 10.25 in.; Hardcover; 112 pp;
Publication Date: December 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9802245-3-5
$19.95
On December 19, 1959, Sunday River Skiway officially opened, mostly through the work of volunteers. Since opening day fifty years ago, with a T-bar and just a handful of runs, Sunday River Skiway has grown into one of the busiest ski resorts in New England. Ten thousand acres of private land encompasses several peaks, and the first trails, with excellent grooming and snowmaking, are still among the most popular: Upper and Lower Cascades, Upper and Lower Sunday Punch, Rocking Chair, and Crossbow. Sunday River now also includes a unique, renowned golf course, the Sunday River Golf Club.
In Sunday River, David Irons gives a firsthand account of the history of the Sunday River Skiway. Irons was there in the very beginning, on opening day as a skier and later as the ski patrol director. His account includes such highlights as the 1970–71 winter training for the Green Berets, the 1976 NCAA championships and the Canadian American Intercollegiate Alpine series, the Gould Sunday River program, and the Snowboard World Cup.
Through text, historical and contemporary photographs, and period marketing pieces, Sunday River explores the establishment and evolution of one of New England's most celebrated, time-honored, beloved recreational attractions. Whether fondly remembered by old friends of Sunday River Skiway, or discovered by new acquaintances to this fantastic resort area, Sunday River completely captures the historical and timeless value of this landmark destination.
David Irons grew up in South Paris, Maine, learning to ski on a small hill behind his family's home. Irons continued to ski wherever possible, and following the opening of Sunday River in 1959, Irons became a regular weekend skier there. He joined the Sunday River Ski Patrol in 1968, which he directed from 1971 to 1982. During twenty years of patrolling, Irons achieved certification by the National Ski Patrol and the Professional Ski Patrol Association and served as an examiner for both organizations until 1988, when broadcasting and writing became his primary focus.
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