Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Race Returns to Cranmore March 13–14 for 29th Year of Racing, Community and Celebration

From vintage wool sweaters to high-tech racing suits, the slopes of Cranmore Mountain will come alive March 13–14 for the 29th Annual Hannes Schneider Meister Cup. As the New England Ski Museum’s premier fundraiser, this storied weekend bridges generations of alpine history, inviting racers ages 9 to 89 to compete in a celebration of the legendary Austrian skimeister who transformed American skiing.

This year’s event marks a milestone of both heritage and new leadership, serving as the first major Meister Cup hosted by the Museum’s recently appointed Executive Director, Jenn Siegfried.

"The Meister Cup is more than just a race; it’s a bridge between the legends of the 10th Mountain Division and the next generation of skiers," Siegfried said. "Seeing racers from age 9 to 89 competing side-by-side perfectly captures why the New England Ski Museum exists—to keep these stories alive.”

Weekend Highlights:

• Friday, March 13: The festivities kick off with a Welcome Reception at Zip’s Pub, followed by a spectacular Torchlight Parade illuminating the mountain.

• Saturday, March 14: The main event begins with a traditional Opening Ceremony and Color Guard. Highlights include:

• The Race: Teams of five and individual racers (skiers and snowboarders) compete for the Cup.

• The Spectacle: A Vintage Fashion Show featuring mid-century gear, live music from the Bavarian Brothers Band, and a high-end Silent Auction.

Every year during the first weekend of March, we celebrate the Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Race, honoring the life of the renowned Austrian skimeister whose pioneering ski teaching brought excitement and prosperity to North Conway, NH and St. Anton, Austria and the world of skiing at large.

Hannes Schneider was a mountain soldier on the alpine front in World War I, and his son Herbert and several of his instructors, including Friedl Pfeifer, Toni Matt, Otto Lang, and Luggi Foeger, served in the 10th Mountain Division in World War II. The race pays tribute to several generations of America’s mountain troops, and features the color guard and mountain instructors of the Army Mountain Warfare School of Jericho, Vermont.

If you can turn around a few gates on intermediate terrain on alpine or telemark skis or a snowboard, you are invited to participate in the race…and win! The fastest male and female finishers in ten age groups take home unique awards, as do the fastest telemark, snowboard, and junior racers. Teams of five racers compete for the Meister Cup Trophy, with winners’ names engraved on the award which is on display in the New England Ski Museum.

Competition is intense at the highest level, but for most racers the event is a simple fun run down a gentle racecourse on a day of slopeside pageantry and social events. Past racers have ranged in age from 4 to 95.

But the Meister Cup weekend is more than a race—it is a spectator event as well and features a full slate of weekend social activities including a welcome reception with dinner buffet and live music by the Bavarian Brothers Band, an amazing opening ceremony with Color Guard, the popular vintage ski fashion show, the awards ceremony, a silent auction with awesome ski-related prizes, and a Sunday morning presentation of ski history with renowned ski historians. Whether you race it or watch it, the Meister Cup has something for everyone.

A signature of the North Conway winter season, the Meister Cup blends competitive New England racing with a festive atmosphere that unites generations of the local skiing community. Proceeds from the event directly support the Museum’s mission to preserve the history and artifacts of the sport. Individual and team registration is currently open.

With locations in Franconia Notch and North Conway, the New England Ski Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of skiing. Through permanent and revolving exhibits, the museum tells the story of the sport’s evolution from a means of winter survival to a global cultural phenomenon.

Cranmore Mountain Resort is located in the heart of one of America’s best-rated ski towns, North Conway, NH. Located 2.5 hours from Boston, Cranmore is a four-season, family-friendly ski resort known for its ski school, sunny south-facing slopes and a festive atmosphere geared for skiers and non-skiers alike. Cranmore boasts 56 trails and glades with a variety of terrain for all ability levels from a beginner-only ski area, to classic New England trails and steeps. Cranmore also features activities such as NH’s #1 Snow Tubing Park, a year-round Mountain Adventure Park, lift-serviced downhill Mountain Bike Park, and many seasonal events. Cranmore is part of the Fairbank Group portfolio.

For more information, visit: https://skimuseum.org/hannes-s...