University of Maine at Farmington: Dominating the Slopes

Thanks to its perfect location at the gateway to the best alpine skiing, snowboarding, and Nordic skiing in Maine, it’s not surprising the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) boasts several successful intercollegiate Snow Sports programs: Alpine Skiing (Giant Slalom and Slalom), Freeskiing (Rail, Slopestyle, Skiercross), Nordic Skiing, and Snowboarding (Rail, Slopestyle, Snowboardcross). 

During the summer and fall months, UMF Snow Sports team members were putting in their dry-land training and are now out on the snow across the Northeast doing what they love.

UMaine Farmington Snow Sports teams are members of the United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA), U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA), Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS), New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA), U.S. Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) and compete against colleges in Maine and across the Northeast. 

With 1,600 students, UMF is a small college, but it has long been a powerhouse in the collegiate ski and snowboard scene, providing its student-athletes the opportunity to compete on a local, regional, and national level. Indeed, Farmington has seen its share of success throughout its proud history including podium finishes and trips to national events.

Farmington’s Alpine, Nordic and Snowboard teams consider Sugarloaf, Sunday River and Titcomb Mountain its homes. 

“In my opinion, we have the best venues in the Northeast, with Sugarloaf and Sunday River resorts close by, along with Titcomb Mountain—literally seven minutes from campus, as well as Saddleback, which has reopened,” said UMF Interim Director of Snow Sports Andrew Willihan. “Our access to the best terrain, just a short drive from campus, is unmatched.” 

Willihan, a Farmington graduate himself, oversees the University’s Snow Sports programs and coaches Alpine skiing. Soon after coming on board at Farmington, he helped UMF secure a prized location in the beautiful new Bill and Joan Alfond Competition Center at Sugarloaf – which the UMF teams use as their base camp while training and competing at Sugarloaf. 

Sam Scheff, a recent UMF graduate, had the opportunity to compete in regional and national competitions through the University’s snowboarding team. In his sophomore year, Scheff joined a select few at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he competed in his first national competitions. 

“Being on the UMF snowboarding team was about representing the University, and the best part was forming relationships with like-minded people, with on-hill and academic support from my coaches,” said Scheff.

Those who want to compete at a collegiate level really ought to consider Farmington, said Willihan. 

“The best college choice for a ski- and snowboard-minded student should be based on getting a nationally recognized college education at an unbeatable price while training and racing at the best resorts in the Northeast,” said Willihan. “At Farmington, we’ve got all that covered,” 

“And for any skier or rider who wants to be treated with the respect that matches their dedication to the sport, you absolutely cannot find a better program than the University of Maine at Farmington,” he added. 


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