Brush with ski and snowboard celebs

While some waited for the Academy Awards red carpet show this past weekend, families at Sugarloaf had gorgeous sunshine, skiing on 138 trails including the snowfields, and the bonus of welcoming snowboard star Seth Wescott home.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist snowboarder was escorted down the white carpet to the SugarloafBeach by a skiing conga line of kids waving “Welcome Seth” flags. Seth

continued to show good sportsmanship, signing hundreds of autographs for kids on the perfectly sunny, spring ski day in Maine.

If you missed this brush with snow sports celebrity at Sugarloaf, and would like signed Olympic memorabilia, Bode Miller’s Olympic helmet is on eBay. Bidding ends March 10. Apparently you can put a price tag on fame, as the bids are over $8,000 for the helmet so far. But all proceeds benefit former U.S. Ski Team technician Pam Warman, diagnosed with breast cancer. Besides, Bodefest at Cannon on April 3 is sold out.

Hannah Teeter’s maple syrup, Hannah’s Gold, may be a more reasonable purchase – a taste-good, feel-good bottle of Vermont maple syrup with Hannah on the label starts at $15, and the profits help Hannah’s campaign to clean up the water supply in Kenya.

Julia Mancuso is selling signature hoodies and shirts with her Olympic dream graphic, which she self-illustrated at age 11, at JuliaMancuso.com  (along with her new line of Kiss My Tiara women’s lingerie for grownup lady fans). A few lucky buyers of Julia’s swag could win one of Julia’s POC helmets with her Tiara logo.

Lindsey Vonn is promoting an interactive six-pack of Red Bull with her picture. Pretty cool technology but as a parent I can’t condone this caffeine and sugar-laden liquid. Instead I am taking my kids to see X-Gamer Simon Dumont at SundayRiver’s second annual Dumont Cup March 26-27.

For more of Heather’s family ski tips and news go to www.familyskitrips.com.

Seth Wescott photo by Greg Burke.