KINGFIELD, Maine — Andy Shepard will be inducted into the Maine Ski Hall of Fame at the 14th annual banquet at the Grand Summit Hotel at Sunday River Saturday, Oct. 29.
This year’s class includes a 14-time national cross country champion, a world-class biathlete, a ski area builder, a top jumper and jumping official, a champion freestyler and film maker, a ski promoter and Pro Tour operator.
Andy Shepard has been involved in skiing and outdoor recreation for all of his adult life. His major contribution was the Maine Winter Sports Center, which revitalized Black Mountain in Rumford and Big Rock in Mars Hill and created the biathlon centers in Fort Kent and Presque Isle, resulting in Maine hosting World Cup championships in that sport.
He also created the Healthy Hometowns Ski Programs to get more kids into cross country skiing by providing free equipment.
Shepard’s son, Walt, who excelled in biathlon and trained and competed at the Aroostook County venues, will also be inducted.
With the induction of the 2016 class, the number of skiers recognized by the Hall of Fame since its first induction banquet in 2003 will reach 121. The Maine Ski Hall of Fame was formed to recognize those Maine skiers that have brought distinction to Maine skiing or made significant contributions to the sport. They may include competitors, coaches, instructors, ski patrollers, ski area builders, managers and volunteers.
Information on the Ski Museum of Maine and tickets to the Hall of Fame banquet are available online at www.skimuseumofmaine.org.
