Trail’s Newest Member Honors Families Who Built State’s Skiing Legacy

The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail’s newest member is celebrating the families who helped establish the state as a premier skiing destination. The New England Ski Museum will present its 2025 Spirit of Skiing Award to the combined McLane and Macomber families on November 22 at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods. The award honors the late Malcolm McLane and George Macomber, ski racing friends and patriarchs who teamed with fellow racers Mack Beal and Brooks Dodge to create Wildcat Ski Area in Pinkham Notch, which opened in 1957 with North America’s first gondola-type ski lift. Today, Wildcat still offers one of New England’s highest elevations, greatest vertical drops, and deepest snowpacks. “This award perfectly exemplifies why the New England Ski Museum is such a valuable addition to our Trail,” said Jeff Barraclough, President of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail. “The McLane and Macomber families didn’t just build a ski area—they helped create the foundation of New Hampshire’s winter tourism industry and mountain culture. Their story demonstrates how individual vision and family dedication can shape an entire region’s identity and economic future.” The Ski Museum joined the NH Heritage Museum Trail in June 2025, bringing its comprehensive collection of ski history and 10th Mountain Division artifacts. With locations in Franconia and North Conway, the museum hosts more than 25,000 visitors annually with free admission, preserving one of the largest ski-related archives outside of Europe.

The McLane and Macomber families’ influence extended far beyond Wildcat, supporting ski racing across the region through leadership with the US Eastern Amateur Ski Association and the US Ski Team Foundation. Their children and grandchildren continue this rich tradition and will also be honored in November.

The Spirit of Skiing Award, inspired by legendary ski instructor Otto Schniebs, who said, “Skiing is not just a sport, it’s a way of life,” has been presented since 2006 to individuals who embody the true spirit of skiing. Past honorees include Waterville Valley founder Tom Corcoran, Norwegian Olympic gold medalist Stein Eriksen, and Olympic silver medalist Penny Pitou of Gilford.

“The Ski Museum’s membership strengthens our mission to connect the public with New Hampshire’s diverse heritage,” added Barraclough. “From the mountains to the seacoast, Trail members preserve the stories that define our state’s character and demonstrate how New Hampshire’s innovations and traditions have influenced the broader American experience.”

The November 22 event includes a reception with hors d’oeuvres followed by a buffet dinner in the Hotel’s grand ballroom. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased at skimuseum.org/sosa or by calling (603) 823-7177.

The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions across the state’s Lakes Region, White Mountains, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.