Sugarloaf trial to honor dedicated skier

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine – A skier who never missed a day on the slopes for more than two decades is being honored with a ski trail bearing his name.

Sugarloaf USA is renaming a portion of the Narrow Gauge Trail as “Schipper’s Streak” in recognition of Paul Schipper’s dogged pursuit of skiing perfection in which he hit the slopes for 3,903 consecutive days before being sidelined by the flu.

The renaming of the trail will take place in conjunction with a celebration on April 17 honoring Schipper’s accomplishment.

Schipper, 81, took a notion to ski every day nearly 25 years ago after he and several friends vowed to give it a try. A year later, Schipper was the only one to achieve the goal, having skied all 174 days in the 1980-81 season.

From there, his exploits became the stuff of legend. He skied through rain, blizzards and illness. He skied every day, no matter the cost.