Tag: 2023-24 Ski Season

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (May 3, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!

    Mountain Report:

    Mountain NameTrails OpenPercent Open
    Saddleback0 / 680%
    Sugarloaf73 / 17641%
    Sunday River0 / 1390%
    Pleasant Mountain0 / 470%

    Trail of the Day: Bridle Chain (Sugarloaf)

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Plus, check out our Featured Events page where we dive deeper into the events we don’t want you to miss!

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Lost Valley Open HouseMay 4May 4One Day
    Sugarloaf’s Closing DayMay 5May 5One Day
    Mother’s Day Event @ Jordan SpaMay 11May 11One Day
    Sugarloaf Marathon & 15KMay 12May 12One Day
    Mother’s Day Brunch @ Sunday RiverMay 12May 12One Day
    Mt. Abram Bike Park Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    Sugarloaf Golf Course Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    The Pub @ Saddleback Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    Rangeley Birding FestivalJune 7June 9Three Days
    Black Mountain of Maine Golf TournamentJune 15June 15One Day
    White Nose Pete Fly Fishing FestivalJune 15June 15One Day
    43nd Annual Sugarloaf Ski Club Classic Golf TournamentJune 21June 21One Day
    2nd Annual WinterKids Mountain Mayhem @ Mt. AbramJune 22June 22One Day
    Hallie’s Hustle 5K Run/Walk @ Black Mountain of MaineJune 23June 23One Day
    Sunday River Scenic Lift Rides OpenJune 27October 13Every Day

    Closing Weekend at Sugarloaf:

    On Sunday, May 5, Sugarloaf will send the final chair of the season up the SuperQuad at 3:50 p.m. They’ll have live music on The Beach from Jordan Kaulbach on Saturday 12pm-3pm and the Beach Bar open 12pm-4pm Friday through Sunday. Learn more below.

    sundayriver.com

    Open House at Lost Valley:

    Don’t miss Lost Valley’s Open House happening on Saturday, May 4, from 11:00-3:00. With vendors, music, and food, you won’t want to miss this event! Learn more by clicking the link below.

    lostvalleyski.com

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    Going Up Is Getting Faster:

    This week, Pleasant Mountain announced The Summit Express. After 86 years, the mountain will finally add a high-speed, detachable quad to their lift lineup. The lift, which is a Doppelmayr refurbished High-Speed Quad, will take skiers and riders up to the top in under 5 minutes. The lift came from Sunday River’s Jordan Express lift and will be installed this summer.

    Read all the stats about this exciting lift on their website.

    pleasantmountain.com

    Statewide Lift Construction:

    Across the state, there are three mountains that are installing chairlifts. Pleasant Mountain is installing a refurbished Doppelmayr High-Speed Quad, BigRock Mountain is installing a new Doppelmayr Quad, and Lost Valley is installing a used Hall Double Chair.

    Pleasant Mountain:

    As of Wed, May 1

    On Wednesday, Pleasant Mountain posted some pictures of the progress. Currently, the towers are all down as well as the drive/return terminals.

    BigRock Mountain:

    As of Mon, April 1

    Since receiving the delivery of chairs and cushions on April 1, the mountain hasn’t posted any new information surrounding the new lift.

    Lost Valley:

    As of Wed, May 1

    On Wednesday, Lost Valley posted some pictures of progress as well as a video that explained what’s happening. Currently, crews are working to remove the existing bearings to replace them before building the lift. This will help maintenance as bearings typically last 7-10 years.

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    NEW Featured Events Page:

    Check out the latest page on the website: Featured Events. This is a page where we share the big events happening at Maine ski areas that you don’t want to miss! Check it out below:

    mainelyskiing.com/featured-events

    Get Ready For Summer:

    As the days get warmer, we’re starting to think about summer activities. There’s a lot to do in the Western Maine mountains during the “off-season”, and we want to lay it all out for you. Click over to the Summer Activities page to see the rundown, linked below!

    mainelyskiing.com

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    A More Comfortable Ride:

    BigRock Mountain in Mars Hill will be installing a brand new Doppelmayr Quad this summer. The new lift, which will have the same name as the double that currently sits in its place, will be called Gemini. BigRock started fundraising for the project back in 2021 but has secured enough for the payment to Doppelmayr. The surveying took place last summer, and construction is expected to start in the spring.

    Read more on this project and donate to help BigRock make the Northern Maine ski experience even better on their website below.

    bigrockmaine.com

    Season Pass Sale:

    Many resorts have already made their 2024-25 season passes available for purchase. If you want the best deal with the best perks, you need to purchase now. Plus, look to see if purchasing a pass means you can ski the rest of this season with it! For all the pass info and pricing, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

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    Sugarloaf Marathon:

    The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K is happening on Sunday, May 12. Just because the event registration has closed doesn’t mean you can’t go support the runners! For more information on the races, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Photo: Maine Drone Imaging

    Mainely Skiing Gear Guide:

    Start preparing for next season by stocking up on the best gear! Pro tip: Search around your local shops for amazing deals on winter appeal during the summer.

    mainelysking.com/gear-guide

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    Last Chair:

    A part from the slightly cooler temps and some occasional thawed precipitation, this week was another one for the books. If you’re wanting to ski, this weekend is it for the 2023-24 ski season.

    Weather:

    “Hey Siri, play Final Countdown”. It’s the last weekend of the 2023-24 ski season. Make it count as Sugarloaf is closing on Sunday. When out on the hill, always be ready for spring conditions. Check the mountain lift status page before heading up to the mountain, linked below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:61   59   53   
    Low:40   39   41   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Who’s Got Last Chair?

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (March 29, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!

    Mountain Report:

    Mountain NameTrails OpenPercent Open
    Saddleback32 / 6847%
    Sugarloaf149 / 17685%
    Sunday River100 / 13972%
    Pleasant Mountain27 / 4757%

    Trail of the Day: Silver Doctor (Saddleback)

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Bust ‘N’ Burn @ Sunday RiverMarch 29March 31Three Days
    Annual Cardboard Box Race @ SaddlebackMarch 30March 30One Day
    Spring Fling @ Pleasant MountainMarch 31March 31One Day
    Easter Egg Hunt @ SaddlebackMarch 31March 31One Day
    Easter Egg Hunt @ Pleasant MountainMarch 31March 31One Day
    Sugarloaf Easter ServiceMarch 31March 31One Day
    Sunday Rriver Easter ServiceMarch 31March 31One Day
    Easter Egg Hunt @ Sunday RiverMarch 31March 31One Day
    Spring Bash Weekend @ SaddlebackApril 5April 7Three Days
    Spring Fest Weekend @ Sunday RiverApril 5April 7Three Days
    Sugarloaf Reggae FestApril 11April 14Four Days
    Pond-A-Palooza @ Sunday RiverApril 13April 13One Day
    Sunday River Season Pass Holder Appreciation LunchApril 14April 14One Day
    ’24 East Coast Pond Skimming Championship @ SugarloafApril 20April 20One Day
    The Great Tailgate @ Sunday RiverApril 20April 20One Day
    Sugarloaf Season Pass Holder BBQApril 27April 27One Day

    We’re on TikTok:

    Better late than never, Mainely Skiing is now on TikTok! Drop us a follow by clicking the link below! Special shout out to TikTok user Ceci for being the first person to like our first post!

    tiktok.com/mainelyskiing

    Annual Cardboard Box Race at Saddleback:

    The annual cardboard box race is happening on Saturday, March 30. The event is free to participate, but racers will need to register and sign a waiver. Race “vehicles” must only be made from duct tape, cardboard, paint, and decorations. Prizes for the most creative on-theme box. This year’s theme is “Out of This World” Learn more below

    saddlebackmaine.com

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    Easter Egg Hunts:

    Saddleback, Sunday River, and Pleasant Mountain will host Easter Egg Hunts on Sunday, March 31. Click the link to your mountain below to learn more about each event.

    Saddleback – saddlebackmaine.com
    Sunday River – sundayriver.com
    Pleasant Mountain – pleasantmountain.com

    Spring Fling at Pleasant Mountain:

    In what has become a veritable tradition at Pleasant Mountain, the Annual Spring Fling is Sunday, March 31. The Slush Cup, which is their pond skim, starts at 1:30 pm. Register (for free) in Guest Services starting at 8:30 am. Learn more below.

    pleasantmountain.com

    Spring Fest Weekend:

    Celebrating Spring at Sunday River from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 7 complete with huge parties, music, and great spring skiing and riding. Come be a part of one of the biggest skiing parties in the White Cap area. Learn more and see the full event schedule by clicking the link below.

    sundayriver.com

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    Bust ‘N’ Burn:

    Prepare to witness history reborn on March 29 – 31. After a decade’s wait, Bust ‘N’ Burn triumphantly returns to Sunday River, reigniting the heart-pounding legacy of the freestyle competition. Hosted by Donny Friggin Pelletier, you won’t want to miss this event. Learn more below:

    sundayriver.com

    Going Up Is Getting Faster:

    This week, Pleasant Mountain announced The Summit Express. After 86 years, the mountain will finally add a high-speed, detachable quad to their lift lineup. The lift, which is a Doppelmayr refurbished High-Speed Quad, will take skiers and riders up to the top in under 5 minutes. The lift came from Sunday River’s Jordan Express lift and will be installed this summer.

    Read all the stats about this exciting lift on their website.

    pleasantmountain.com

    Spring Bash at Saddleback:

    Spring Bash is a blast from the past taking place from Friday, 4/5, through Sunday, 4/7. Enjoy live music, make a splash at the pond skim, slide the steel in the Rewind & Grind Rail Jam, and make some seriously fun spring turns. See the event schedule below.

    Event Schedule:
    • Friday, April 5 – Spring Bash Weekend kick-off with the Mallett Brothers Band 5-8 p.m.
    • Saturday, April 6 – Rewind and Grind Rail Jam with GoonJam riders and Eastern Halfpipe Jam powered by PistenBully. DJ Eric AudiblEvents on deck 1-6 p.m.
    • Sunday, April 7 – Pond Skim at 12 p.m. and DJ Eric with AudiblEvents on deck 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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    Reggae Fest at Sugarloaf:

    Join Sugarloaf for the 36th Annual Sugarloaf Reggae Festival, presented by Baxter Outdoors, on April 11-14, 2024. Prepare yourself for four days of music and non-stop parties at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain with two amazing headliners: John Brown’s Body and Long Beach Dub All Stars. The biggest party on the East Coast consists of two nights of music in the King Pine room, two days of outside entertainment on The Beach, three nights of music in The Widowmaker, reggae DJs at Bullwinkle’s, and more. Learn more and register below.

    sugarloaf.com

    3rd Annual Hill Climb:

    The 3rd. Annual Hill Climb at Saddleback has recently opened for registration, so be as quick as a ski bunny and register! The Hill Climb is on Friday & Saturday, April 19-20, 2024. This event grows every year and brings in smiling faces from all over New England. It is definitely something you do not want to miss! Learn more below!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    NEW Featured Events Page:

    Check out the latest page on the website: Featured Events. This is a page where we share the big events happening at Maine ski areas that you don’t want to miss! Check it out below:

    mainelyskiing.com/featured-events

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    A More Comfortable Ride:

    BigRock Mountain in Mars Hill will be installing a brand new Doppelmayr Quad this summer. The new lift, which will have the same name as the double that currently sits in its place, will be called Gemini. BigRock started fundraising for the project back in 2021 but has secured enough for the payment to Doppelmayr. The surveying took place last summer, and construction is expected to start in the spring.

    Read more on this project and donate to help BigRock make the Northern Maine ski experience even better on their website below.

    bigrockmaine.com

    Sunday River Pond-A-Pooloza:

    The Pond-A-Pooloza is happening once again this year on Saturday, April 13. Registration is free, but to secure a spot, head to the Welcome Center at South Ridge Lodge between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to sign the dotted line and get your bib number. Costumes weigh heavy on your score, so come suited up in anything but a wet suit (unless you’re a wimp)! Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 overall scores, plus best costume and biggest splash! Learn more below.

    sundayriver.com

    Season Pass Sale:

    Many resorts have already made their 2024-25 season passes available for purchase. If you want the best deal with the best perks, you need to purchase now. Plus, look to see if purchasing a pass means you can ski the rest of this season with it! For all the pass info and pricing, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

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    Total Solar Eclipse:

    The Total Solar Eclipse will come through Maine on Monday, April 8th, 2024. It looks like BigRock Mountain and Big Moose Mountain will be right in the middle of the path. Saddleback and Sugarloaf will get some time in the darkness as well. Check out these events coming from the ski mountains.

    mainelyskiing.com/total-solar-eclipse

    East Coast Pond Skimming Championship:

    Do you have what it takes to be the best in the East? Head over to Sugarloaf on Saturday, April 20, for their annual pond skimming championship. Learn more about this event by visiting their website below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Skier Services:

    Check out the Skier Services page on our website. This page is filled to the brim with things skiers will find helpful. With pages like a resort status page, mountain guides to Saddleback, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Pleasant Mountain, Black Mountain of Maine, and Lost Valley (With more to come, stay tuned), and more. Find it all on the Skier Services page from the website or by clicking the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

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    Saddleback Lift Operations Shift:

    This past week, Saddleback switched to their spring operating schedule. This change will shift all on-mountain services back one hour. For lifts and trails, see below

    Midweek (Mon-Fri): 10:00-5:00
    Weekend (Sat-Sun): 9:30-5:00

    Sugarloaf Marathon Registration Open:

    The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Photo: Maine Drone Imaging

    Mainely Skiing Gear Guide:

    It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.

    mainelysking.com/gear-guide

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    Saddleback Webcams:

    Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Last Chair:

    21… That’s how many inches of snow we got from the last storm on Friday to Saturday. That made for some extremely special laps almost everywhere on the mountain. Sadly, though, mostly all week, we saw rain, rain, and more rain. While this didn’t necessarily hurt the mountains, it didn’t help.

    Weather:

    After the rain, we just need a break filled with good weather. Thankfully, this weekend is looking prime for that. We’re also keeping a watchful eye on the storm moving in next week for a potential snow day! Due to the strong winds predicted for Saturday, keep tabs on the current lift status, by clicking the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:39   35   39   
    Low:24   22   20   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Ok, Mother Nature… Enough rain!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (February 9, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!

    Mountain Report:

    Mountain NameTrails OpenPercent Open
    Saddleback67 / 6899%
    Sugarloaf125 / 17673%
    Sunday River133 / 13996%
    Pleasant Mountain33 / 4770%

    Trail of the Day: Cutter (Sugarloaf)

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Free Ski Night @ Black Mountain of MaineJanuary 10March 20Every Wednesday
    Mallett Brothers Band @ SugarloafFebruary 10February 10One Day
    Fat Bike Race @ Sugarloaf Outdoor CenterFebruary 11February 11One Day
    February Vacation WeekFebruary 19February 23Five Days
    February Fireworks @ SugarloafFebruary 20February 20One Day
    February Fest @ SaddlebackFebruary 23February 23One Day
    WinterKids Downhill 24 @ SugarloafFebruary 29March 1Two Days

    February Break Fun:

    Remember, as February Break approaches we want to give you the best all-in-one events calendar for every mountain throughout vacation. While this is sent in the email every week, you can always see the most current info by going to our events page. Click here for more: mainelyskiing.com/events

    Sat, Feb. 17:
    • Slopeside Fire Dancing at Sunday River
    • Horse Drawn Wagon Rides in Downtown Rangeley
    • Chris Goodenough @ Black Mountain
    Sun, Feb. 18:
    • 9th Annual Winterpalooza in Rangeley
    • Après Music Series: Ryan McCalmon at Saddleback
    • Horse Drawn Wagon Rides in Downtown Rangeley
    • Noel & Don @ Black Mountain
    • Bea Wee Lollipop Race at Saddleback
    Mon, Feb 19:
    • President’s Day
    • February Fireworks at Sugarloaf
    Tues, Feb 20:
    • West Mountain Celebration at Sugarloaf
    • Horse Drawn Wagon Rides in Downtown Rangeley
    • Sparks Art Critter Encounter at Sunday River
    • WinterKids Family Day at Black Mountain
    • Winterstick Snowboard Demo Day at Saddleback
    Wed, Feb 21:
    • Eddy & Betty Dinner at Sunday River
    • Racing With The Moon at Pleasant Mountain
    • WinterKids Family Day at Mt. Abram
    Thurs, Feb 22:
    • Climb For Community at Sugarloaf
    • Horse Drawn Wagon Rides in Downtown Rangeley
    Fri, Feb 23:
    • February Fest at Saddleback
    • GeeWhiz Grom Slopestyle Open at Saddleback
    • Friday Night Live Music at Pleasant Mountain
    • Storybook Snowshoe at Sugarloaf
    Sat, Feb 24:
    • CVA Scholarship Bash @ Sugarloaf
    • Après Music Series: Unknown Legend at Saddleback
    • Adam Brenton at Black Mountain
    • Slopeside Fire Dancing at Sunday River
    • Eddy & Betty Dinner at Sunday River
    • Horse Drawn Wagon Rides in Downtown Rangeley
    Sun, Feb 25:
    • Bea Wee Lollipop Race at Saddleback
    • Free Sleigh Rides at Black Mountain
    • WinterKids Family Day at Titcomb Mountain
    • Byron Glaus at Black Mountain

    3rd Annual Hill Climb:

    The 3rd. Annual Hill Climb at Saddleback has recently opened for registration, so be as quick as a ski bunny and register! The Hill Climb is on Friday & Saturday, April 19-20, 2024. This event grows every year and brings in smiling faces from all over New England. It is definitely something you do not want to miss! Learn more below!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    WinterKids Downhill 24:

    Help raise money for families in need by participating in Sugarloaf and WinetKids Downhill 24. Happening from February 29, to March 1. To register and learn more about this special opportunity to ski around the clock, click the link below!

    winterkids.org

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    Bucksaw Express:

    Sugarloaf’s newest lift and biggest expansion since the SuperQuad, Bucksaw Express is set to open soon. With a few activities surrounding West Mountain, you won’t want to miss this special moment. Learn more below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides:

    If you’re still in the Christmas spirit or you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly adventure, there are a number of various dates for horse-drawn carriage rides in downtown Rangeley. Don’t miss out on making those memories before the season ends! For more info and dates, see the full schedule below!


    • Saturday, February 10th
    • Saturday, February 17th
    • Sunday, February 18th 11:30-1:30pm (Winterpaloozah)
    • Tuesday, February 20th (February Break)
    • Thursday, February 22nd (February Break)
    • Saturday, February 24th (February Break)
    • Saturday, March 2nd
    • Saturday, March 9th
    • Saturday, March 16th

    Skier Services:

    Check out the Skier Services page on our website. This page is filled to the brim with things skiers will find helpful. With pages like a resort status page, mountain guides to Saddleback, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Pleasant Mountain, Black Mountain of Maine, and Lost Valley (With more to come, stay tuned), and more. Find it all on the Skier Services page from the website or by clicking the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

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    Sugarloaf Marathon Registration Open:

    The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Photo: Maine Drone Imaging

    Mainely Skiing Gear Guide:

    It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.

    mainelysking.com/gear-guide

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    Saddleback Webcams:

    Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Last Chair:

    With consistent bluebird days, this week was pretty incredible. Sadly, we’ve been back in the clouds since Thursday. As we start to get ready for February vacation, make sure to keep our website and these emails at the top of the list!

    Weather:

    Well, if you read last week’s email, you can see how I jinxed myself. Saturday we’re looking at some rain. However, overnight temps should make for some good skiing in the afternoon on Sunday. If you’re traveling in the afternoon, I suggest you stick around a little later. We’re also eyeing some snow in the long-range forecast, so keep doing those snow dances, Mainely Skiers! For the current lift status, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:38  44   35  
    Low:26   32    26  
    Based out of Rangeley

    I’m packing my Gore-tex

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (December 22, 2023)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!

    Mountain Report:

    Mountain NameTrails OpenPercent Open
    Saddleback0 / 680%
    Sugarloaf20 / 17612%
    Sunday River0 / 1390%
    Pleasant Mountain11 / 4725%

    Trail of the Day: Tote Road (Sugarloaf)

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Santa Visits @ SaddlebackDecember 23December 23One Day
    Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides in Downtown RangeleyDecember 23December 23One Day
    Christmas Eve Service @ Sugarloaf’s Dick Bell ChapelDecember 24December 24One Day
    Christmas Vacation WeekDecember 25December 29Five Days
    Indie Demo Day @ Sunday RiverJanuary 6January 6One Day
    2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ SaddlebackJanuary 7January 7One Day
    Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTCJanuary 28January 28One Day
    IFSA Junior Freeride @ SaddlebackJanuary 28January 28One Day
    Fire on the Mountain @ SugarloafFebruary 2February 4Three Days
    February Fest @ SaddlebackFebruary 23February 23One Day

    2023 Mountains Update:

    So… On Monday, December 18, a day that will go down in 2023 skier history, Maine saw over 5 inches of rainfall. Plus, the warm temps melted a lot of snow, making for loads of runoff. River capacity was maxed out, towns flooded, and, roads were washed out, and resorts saw crazy infrastructure damage. This forced the resorts in the state to close down to assess the damage. Make sure to check your local mountain’s report page before planning a return to the mountains.

    Christmas Break:

    Get ready for the always busy Christmas Vacation Week. This week, it looks like it will be packed with family-friendly events happening all week. For the most up-to-date information, make sure to bookmark the events page or click the link below!

    mainelyskiing.com

    Vertical Challenge @ Big Rock:

    The Vertical Challenge is set to take on BigRock on January 6, 2024. The Vertical Challenge is a series of free casual ski & snowboard races held at ski resorts throughout the northeast. In addition to the races, attendees enjoy a festival, featuring snowy activities for all ages throughout a fun day on the mountain.

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    Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides:

    The Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides are back in Downtown Rangeley. See the full schedule below!

    Saturday, December 23rd
    • Wednesday, December 27th
    • Saturday, December 30th
    • Saturday, January 6th
    • Saturday, January 13th
    • Saturday, January 20th
    • Saturday, January 27th
    • Saturday, February 3rd
    • Saturday, February 10th
    • Saturday, February 17th
    • Sunday, February 18th 11:30-1:30pm (Winterpaloozah)
    • Tuesday, February 20th
    • Thursday, February 22nd
    • Saturday, February 24th
    • Saturday, March 2nd
    • Saturday, March 9th
    • Saturday, March 16th

    Opening Days:

    That first chair is always one of the most exciting moments in the early season. It’s time to start waxing those skis, dusting off gear and making sure your pass is ready. mainelyskiing.com/season-passes 😉 you’ll thank me later. Below is a table of the opening days as we know right now. Plus, for a more frequently updated list, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Mountain NameOpening Date
    Black Mountain of MaineDecember 26
    Big RockDecember 27
    Camden Snow BowlDecember 26
    Mt. AbramDecember 24
    Hermon MountainDecember 30
    Titcomb MountainNot Announced

    Vertical Challenge @ Black Mountain of Maine:

    Happening at Black Mountain of Maine on Saturday, January 20, the Vertical Challenge is a series of free casual ski & snowboard races held at ski resorts throughout the northeast. In addition to the races, attendees enjoy a festival, featuring snowy activities for all ages throughout a fun day on the mountain. Learn more below.

    skiblackmountain.org

    Santa Visits @ Saddleback:

    Santa Claus is comin’ to town on Saturday, December 23 at Saddleback. He’ll make a stop in Rangeley before heading back to the North Pole to get ready for a busy Christmas Eve! Click the link to read more!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Mainely Skiing Gear Guide:

    It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.

    mainelysking.com/gear-guide

    Advertisements

    Sugarloaf Marathon Registration Open:

    The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Photo: Maine Drone Imaging

    Resort Status Page:

    Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback:

    Saddleback will host the Vertical Challenge on Sunday, January 7. The event is a series of free casual ski and snowboard races open to all ages and abilities. Skiers and snowboarders are divided by gender and age to compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals in each category. Check it out by clicking the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

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    Sugarloaf Making Progress:

    The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.

    The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails:

    Difficulty Trail NameDifficulty Trail Name
     HatchetBucksaw
    Feller-BuncherCutter
    ChipperWhistle Punk
    Upper Beaver TailLower Beaver Tail
    Knot BumperYarder
    TwitcherWest Mountain Crosscut

    Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.

    facebook.com/sugarloaf

    sugarloaf.com

    Saddleback Webcams:

    Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Last Chair:

    Sadly, after Monday’s storm, the resort’s trail counts have been reduced back down to snowmaking trails and very limited lifts. The good thing is that there isn’t a big worry of hitting rocks, stumps, grass, or other early season conditions… It’s just snow!

    Weather:

    We’re forecasting some better snowmaking weather for the weekend before Christmas Break. Start your vacation off right in the mountains! Click the link below to see current lift status.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:28 34 39
    Low:14 24 27
    Based out of Rangeley

    Great to be back on snow!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (November 17, 2023)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!

    Mountain Report:

    Mountain NameTrails OpenPercent Open
    Saddleback0 / 680%
    Sugarloaf8 / 1765%
    Sunday River5 / 1394%
    Pleasant Mountain0 / 470%

    Trail of the Day: Lollapalooza (Sunday River)

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Sugarloaf Opening DayNovember 17November 17One Day
    Yarmouth Ski Club Ski SwapNovember 18November 18One Day
    Bridal Show & Tasting @ SugarloafNovember 19November 19One Day
    Lonesome Pines Trails Ski SwapNovember 19November 19One Day
    Volunteer Work Day & Brunch @ Big MooseNovember 19November 19One Day
    Thanksgiving Dinner @ Sunday RiverNovember 23November 23One Day
    Saddleback Pub OpensNovember 24November 24One Day
    Saddleback Opening DayDecember 2December 2One Day
    Live Auction at Black Mountain of MaineDecember 2December 2One Day
    Demo Day @ Sunday RiverDecember 9December 9One Day
    Sunday River Santa SundayDecember 10December 10One Day
    Sugarloaf Tree Lighting FestivalDecember 16December 16One Day
    Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday RiverDecember 16December 17Two Days
    Christmas Vacation WeekDecember 25December 29Five Days
    Indie Demo Day @ Sunday RiverJanuary 6January 6One Day
    2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ SaddlebackJanuary 7January 7One Day
    Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTCJanuary 28Januaray 28One Day
    IFSA Junior Freeride @ SaddlebackJanuary 28January 28One Day
    Fire on the Mountain @ SugarloafFebruary 2February 4Three Days
    February Fest @ SaddlebackFebruary 23February 23One Day

    Sunday River / Sugarloaf Is Open:

    On Tuesday, Sunday River sent the first chair of the 2023-24 ski season up the hill on their Jordan 8 lift, and this morning, Sugarloaf did the same with their SuperQuad lift. Welcome to the start of the ski season. We hope it’s a long and snowy one! Check out the current lift status by clicking the link below!

    mainelyskiing.com

    Saddleback Started Snowmaking:

    On Saturday night, Saddleback’s team of snowmakers took to the hill to show us the first signs of winter. Once there is enough snow to open the trails, they will. Keep doing those snow dances! Click the link to read their report.

    saddlebackmaine.com

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    Yarmouth Ski Club Ski Sale:

    Join the Yarmouth Ski Club for their annual Ski Sale happening this Saturday, November 18. Open from 9:00am – 12:00pm, come check out their extensive supply of skis, boots, poles, boards, and more at William H. Rowe School, 52 School St., Yarmouth. For more information, click the link below.

    yarmouthskiclub.org

    Opening Days:

    That first chair is always one of the most exciting moments in the early season. It’s time to start waxing those skis, dusting off gear and making sure your pass is ready. mainelyskiing.com/season-passes 😉 you’ll thank me later. Below is a table of the opening days as we know right now. Plus, for a more frequently updated list, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Mountain NameOpening Date
    Saddleback MountainDecember 2
    SugarloafNovember 17
    Pleasant MountainDecember 16
    Black Mountain of MaineDecember 26
    Big RockNot Announced
    Camden Snow BowlDecember 26
    Mt. AbramDecember 16
    Big Moose MountainDecember 26
    Lost ValleyDecember 15
    Hermon MountainDecember 30
    Titcomb MountainNot Announced

    Sunday Work Day & Brunch:

    Get those work gloves on. Big Moose Mountain is planning a volunteer work day and brunch this Sunday, November 19. Projects include:

    • Lower lodge cleaning
    • Ski Sale Set Up for 11/25
    • Trail Clearing
    • Tracking the passenger snowcat
    • Lift Maintenance

    To sign up, click the link below.

    facebook.com/friendsofthemountain

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    Mainely Skiing Gear Guide:

    It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.

    mainelysking.com/gear-guide

    Saddleback $49 Lift Tickets:

    Buy Now And Save!

    This week, Saddleback announced $49 lift tickets available for the full season. Act fast, as there are only so many tickets being sold at that price before going to the next pricing tier. Click the link to purchase now.

    saddlebackmaine.com

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    Sugarloaf $41 Lift Tickets:

    Buy Now And Save!

    This week, Sugarloaf announced $41 early season lift tickets. You need to purchase now as the prices go up after a set number of people purchase. For more information and to purchase your ticket, click the link below!

    sugarloaf.com

    Sugarloaf Marathon Registration Open:

    The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Photo: Maine Drone Imaging

    Resort Status Page:

    Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Sugarloaf Bridal Show & Tasting:

    If you’re looking to get married at Sugarloaf, you need to go to their Bridal Show & Tasting. The event occurs on Sunday, November 19, from 1-4pm in the King Pine Room. There will be many different vendors and flavorful dishes being served. For all the details, head over to the website below.

    sugarloaf.com/weddings

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    Thanksgiving Dinner At Sunday River:

    Join Sunday River around the table for a lovely Thanksgiving meal. The folks from Camp will be cooking a tasteful turkey with all the sides you could imagine. Happening from 1-8pm, you can’t miss this!

    sundayriver.com

    Season Pass Sales:

    Season passes have been on sale throughout the summer but to take advantage of the savings, you better purchase now! Check out the table to see all season passes:

    Mountain NameAdult PriceNext Deadline
    Saddleback Maine$94912/31
    Sugarloaf (New England Gold)$1,61911/30
    Sunday River (New England Gold)$1,61911/30
    Pleasant Mountain$95911/30
    Black Mountain of Maine$47511/30
    Big Rock$50011/27
    Camden Snow Bowl$550N / A
    Mt. Abram$599N / A
    Lost Valley$645N / A
    Hermon Mountain$530N / A
    Titcomb Mountain$265N / A
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    Sunday River Early Season Update:

    It might only be fall but the folks from Sunday River are already in the winter mindset. This week, the mountain announced a new early-season operating guide. The plan is to start the season off with top-to-bottom skiing and riding off their Jordan 8 lift. They hope to have “multiple trail choices” serviced from the Jordan 8. For more information and to stay in the know, click the link below.

    sundayriver.com

    Sugarloaf Making Progress:

    The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.

    The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails:

    Difficulty Trail NameDifficulty Trail Name
     HatchetBucksaw
    Feller-BuncherCutter
    ChipperWhistle Punk
    Upper Beaver TailLower Beaver Tail
    Knot BumperYarder
    TwitcherWest Mountain Crosscut

    Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. They’re adding 246 high-efficiency HKD snow guns and over 88,000′ of new snowmaking pipe. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.

    facebook.com/sugarloaf

    sugarloaf.com

    The Barker 6 Mix:

    Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr, and is set to be completed by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.

    As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week over on Merrill Hill. See more by clicking the links below.

    sundayriver.com

    Facebook Video

    Photo: Merrill Hill II Construction
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    Saddleback Webcams:

    Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Last Chair:

    We saw the start to the 2023-24 ski season this week as Sunday River opened this Tuesday and Sugarloaf sent their first chair up the SuperQuad this morning at 8:30. Here we go! Think cold temps and snow.

    Weather:

    While we might be skiing, the temps suggest otherwise. On the bright side, the warm temps will allow the tired snowmakers to get some much needed rest, before returning to the hills next week.

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:53 40 35
    Low:36 25 20
    Based out of Rangeley

    Welcome to Ski Season!

    – Keegan