The Down East Ski Club's Annual Sale was the focus of my Saturday activities, and I came home with a new pair of Rossignol cross-country skis and Salomon boots.

I bought these skis and boots at the Down East Ski Club's annual sale from Sarah Carter, daughter of David and Anne Carter
ALL PHOTOS SCOTT ANDREWS

My very knowledgeable salesperson was Sarah Carter, lovely daughter of David and Anne Carter, proprietors of cross-country ski shops and touring centers in Oxford and Bethel.

I was one of the many hundreds who bought gear at the sale, which was held at the Portland Expo for the second consecutive year. When the doors opened at 8 a.m., the line stretched down Park Avenue to the Sea Dogs' ticket office.

Arriving just about 8 a.m. was the Gervais family of Portland -- Joe and Linda and their two kids, four-year old daughter Eliza and son Owen, "almost eight."

The Gervais family arrives at the ski sale yesterday

The Gervais family with purchases

About two hours later the Gervais family emerged from the sale, gear in hand. Four pair of skis and boots! Linda told me that this will be little Eliza's first year on the slopes, and she wants to schuss on Elan's Barbie model skis. The pink graphics match Eliza's pink parka. You go, girl!

The floor of the Portland Expo resembled a sea of ski and snowboard gear yesterday

Lots of information was also available. Ski Maine Association was pushing its new Winter Activities book, which primarily emphasizes cross-country.

Saddleback and Black Mountain of Maine represented up-and-coming resorts that offer both downhill and nordic. Both have benefited enormously over the past few years from new owners with fresh ideas about enlarging and enhancing the ski experiences that they offer. The Ski Bum plans to visit both this season, so stay tuned for first-person reports.

Greg Sweetser of Ski Maine Association and Craig Zurhorst of Black Mountain of Maine check out children's gear

Joanne Taylor of Saddleback and Bo Bigelow of Ski Maine Association talk about children's programs

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