Tag: Fall in Maine

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (May 31, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Rangeley Birding Festival:

    Calling all bird enthusiasts! The Rangeley Birding Festival will take place from Friday, June 7, to Sunday, June 9. From Boreal Chickadees in our vast forests to Loons on our magnificent lakes to the rare Bicknell’s Thrush in the high peaks above, the Rangeley Region is rich with birds.

    rangeleybirdingfestival.com

    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:
    Best Of Maine 2024 VotingMay 15June 15Every Day
    Trails In The Valley @ Lost ValleyMay 17October 25Every Friday
    Saddleback Bike Shop ReopensJune 6June 6One 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

    Saddleback Bike Shop:

    Need some tune-ups to make your rides even sweeter? Head over to the Saddleback Bike Shop when it opens on Thursday, June 6th! They will be open and ready to help with any needs that come their way.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Trails In The Valley:

    Lace up your running shoes and drive to Lost Valley tonight for their first Trails In The Valley event, a weekly running club that takes place every Friday at 6:00pm. Led by their experienced leaders, Paula & Jason, this group trail experience is absolutely free and open to all. Learn more about this event on their website, linked below.

    lostvalleyski.com

    Advertisements

    New Merchandise:

    We’ve just added more merchandise to our website. Perfect for Father’s Day… which is coming right up! Check out a list of great gifts for a fellow skier.

    Going Up Is Getting Faster:

    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

    Advertisements

    Best Of Maine 2024:

    It’s that time of year again to start voting for the best places in Maine. Voting ends on June 15, but you can vote every day until then. Here is a rundown of the things you might be interested in:

    Golf Course – Travel & Play:

    – Sugarloaf Golf Course

    Ski Mountain – Travel & Play:

    – Camden Snow Bowl
    – Pleasant Mountain
    – Saddleback Mountain
    – Sugarloaf
    – Sunday River

    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.

    Please Note: Due to lift construction, hiking at Pleasant Mountain is currently prohibited.

    Pleasant Mountain:

    As of Wed, May 22

    On Wednesday, Pleasant Mountain posted a video to their Instagram account showing them blowing up part of the Jack Spratt trail to make way for a road so Doppelmayr can safely transport components of the new lift to the summit station.

    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.

    Advertisements

    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

    Adding Their 3rd Double:

    Lost Valley in Auburn will be installing a used Hall Double on the Coyote Trail marking 3 double chairs at the ski area. The lift comes from Connecticut’s Mt. Southington and will fill a much-needed void on the left side of the mountain. Chair #3 will be installed this summer.

    Advertisements

    The Trails Are Going Higher:

    The Bike Park Crew at Saddleback have been quietly at work on some upper mountain terrain. The mountain’s marketing team posted to Facebook last Wednesday that they will offer a double black diamond downhill track that will follow the fall line of Lower Tightline. You can access the new trail, named Bronco, near the base of the Kennebago Quad. To get up to the start of the trail, you’ll need to use pedal power, but the post hinted at more information soon. Stay tuned… To view the trail and read the full post, click the link below.

    facebook.com/saddlebackmaine

    Summer Activities Page:

    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

    Advertisements

    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

    Advertisements

    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

    Webcams:

    Take a peek at your mountain and see how it’s holding up throughout the summer by visiting your mountain’s webcams. With multiple cameras, you’re guaranteed to get the best view. Watching the sunset? you can go back in time if you missed the best part. Check them out. by clicking the link below!

    Last Chair:

    We hope you had a good week with the nice weather that we had! Let’s cross our fingers for another great one next week 🙂

    Weather:

    It’s supposed to be comfortable temperatures this weekend! with an overall high of 74 degrees during the daytime and an overall low of 41 degrees at night. Crazy how Mother Nature’s temperatures can shift that much, but here we are.

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:63   70   74   
    Low:41   44   47   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Bring out the sunglasses!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (May 24, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Mt. Abram Bike Park Now Open:

    For those thrill seekers, you’re in luck! Mt. Abram’s Bike Park is now open! For all the important information surrounding the bike park, tickets, and trail reports, head over to their website, linked below.

    mtabram.com

    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:
    Best Of Maine 2024 VotingMay 15June 15Every Day
    Trails In The Valley @ Lost ValleyMay 17October 25Every Friday
    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

    Sugarloaf Golf Course / Tin Mountain Roundup:

    Sugarloaf Golf Course will open on Friday, May 24, for the season. The golf page is filled with great information golfers need. Plus, don’t miss the Tin Mountain Roundup happening all weekend at the course. Any golfer who brings three or more canded, non-perishable foods, you will be able to play 18 holes for just $49, with cart included, during the course’s opening weekend. Preview the course and book your tee time with the link below:

    sugarloaf.com

    Trails In The Valley:

    Lace up your running shoes and drive to Lost Valley tonight for their first Trails In The Valley event, a weekly running club that takes place every Friday at 6:00pm. Led by our experienced run leaders, Paula & Jason, this group trail experience is absolutely free and open to all. Learn more about this event on their website, linked below.

    lostvalleyski.com

    Advertisements

    New Merchandise:

    We’ve just added more merchandise to our webiste. Perfect for Father’s Day… which is coming right up! Check out a list of great gifts for a fellow skier.

    Going Up Is Getting Faster:

    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

    Advertisements

    Best Of Maine 2024:

    It’s that time of year again to start voting for the best places in Maine. Voting ends on June 15, but you can vote every day until then. Here is a rundown of the things you might be interested in:

    Golf Course – Travel & Play:

    – Sugarloaf Golf Course

    Ski Mountain – Travel & Play:

    – Camden Snow Bowl
    – Pleasant Mountain
    – Saddleback Mountain
    – Sugarloaf
    – Sunday River

    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.

    Please Note: Due to lift construction, hiking at Pleasant Mountain is currently prohibited.

    Pleasant Mountain:

    As of Wed, May 22

    On Wednesday, Pleasant Mountain posted a video to their Instagram account showing them blowing up part of the Jack Spratt trail to make way for a road so Doppelmayr can safely transport components of the new lift to the summit station.

    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.

    Advertisements

    The Pub At Saddleback Opens Today:

    The Pub at Saddleback is now open for the summer. With a new menu, which you can view using the link below, will have you itching to come up to Saddleback. Make note of the new summer hours below.

    Thursday – Saturday: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
    Sunday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm

    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

    Advertisements

    Adding Their 3rd Double:

    Lost Valley in Auburn will be installing a used Hall Double on the Coyote Trail marking 3 double chairs at the ski area. The lift comes from Connecticut’s Mt. Southington and will fill a much-needed void on the left side of the mountain. Chair #3 will be installed this summer.

    The Trails Are Going Higher:

    The Bike Park Crew at Saddleback have been quietly at work on some upper mountain terrain. The mountain’s marketing team posted to Facebook on Wednesday that they will offer a double black diamond downhill track that will follow the fall line of Lower Tightline. You can access the new trail, named Bronco, near the base of the Kennebago Quad. To get up to the start of the trail, you’ll need to use pedal power, but the post hinted at more information soon. Stay tuned… To view the trail and read the full post, click the link below.

    facebook.com/saddlebackmaine

    Advertisements

    Summer Activities Page:

    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

    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

    Advertisements

    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

    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

    Last Chair:

    With some rain and thunder storms rolling in near the end of the week, we saw some intresting weather. The good news is that’s gone and the weekend is still going to be great!

    Weather:

    We’re looking forward to a great Memorial Day Weekend in the Mountains of Maine. With the majority of summer activities starting or resuming this weekend, there isn’t going to be a shortage of things to do. Keep an eye on the weather as Monday is looking like some rain near the end of the day. Fingers crossed it moves out to Monday night or Tuesday.

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:Monday:
    High:64   65   70   61   
    Low:45   42   50    51   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Remember and Honor ❤️🤍💙

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (May 17, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Sunday River Golf Course Now Open:

    Today is Sunday River Golf Course’s Opening Day. The course will be open this weekend before closing Mon-Thurs, reopening for good on Friday, May 24. Book tee times by following the link below.

    sundayriver.com

    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:
    Sunday River Golf Course Opening DayMay 17May 17One Day
    Trails In The Valley @ Lost ValleyMay 17October 25Every Friday
    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

    Trails In The Valley:

    Lace-up your running shoes and drive to Lost Valley tonight for their first Trails In The Valley event, a weekly running club that takes place every Friday at 6:00pm. Led by our experienced run leaders, Paula & Jason, this group trail experience is absolutely free and open to all. Learn more about this event on their website, linked below.

    lostvalleyski.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

    Advertisements

    Mt. Abram Bike Park Opening Day:

    For those thrill seekers, you’re in luck! Mt. Abram’s Bike Park is opening on Friday, May 24. For all the important information surrounding the bike park, tickets, and trail reports, head over to their website, linked below.

    mtabram.com

    Sugarloaf Golf Course / Tin Mountain Roundup:

    Sugarloaf Golf Course will open on Friday, May 24, for the season. The golf page is filled with great information golfers need. Plus, don’t miss the Tin Mountain Roundup happening all weekend at the course. Any golfer who brings three or more canded, non-perishable foods, you will be able to play 18 holes for just $49, with cart included, during the course’s opening weekend. Preview the course and book your tee time with the link below:

    sugarloaf.com

    Advertisements

    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 Fri, May 10

    On Friday, Pleasant Mountain posted some pictures of the mountain receiving a new Haul Rope from Fatzer.

    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.

    Saddleback’s The Pub Open Soon:

    The Pub at Saddleback will be open for the summer on Friday, May 24. With a new menu, which you can view using the link below, will have you itching to come up to Saddleback. Make note of the new summer hours below.

    Thursday – Saturday: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
    Sunday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Advertisements

    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

    Advertisements

    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

    Advertisements

    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

    Last Chair:

    With the weather we’ve had this past week, the summer events and activities are starting to ramp up again. While many locals refer to this time as “mud season” the warm temps and sunshine should dry everything up nicely.

    Weather:

    With the temps in the 70’s today, get out and enjoy the warm weather – maybe it’s a tee time at Sunday River. While Saturday will bring rain, Sunday is back with sunny skies and temps in the mid 60’s. We’re looking at a great weekend ahead. Maybe pack some bugspray to avoid the black flies.

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:70   61   66   
    Low:51   50   48   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Enjoy the sunshine!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (May 10, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    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

    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:
    Mother’s Day Event @ Jordan SpaMay 11May 11One Day
    Sugarloaf Marathon & 15KMay 12May 12One Day
    Mother’s Day Brunch @ Sunday RiverMay 12May 12One Day
    Sunday River Golf Course Opening DayMay 17May 17One 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

    Mother’s Day Activities:

    Sunday River is packing this weekend full of events for the moms! On Saturday, they are opening the Jordan Spa for moms and on Sunday, Mother’s Day Brunch. Learn more on their events page, linked 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

    Advertisements

    Sunday River Golf Course Opening Date:

    Time to tee off at Sunday River! The Sunday River Golf Course opens on Friday, May 17. Fore all the important information and to book a tee time, click over to their website.

    sundayriver.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.

    Advertisements

    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

    Advertisements

    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

    Advertisements

    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

    Last Chair:

    After a week without skiing, the summer events and activities are starting to ramp up again soon. While many locals refrere to this time as “mud season” the warm temps and sunshine should dry everything up nicely.

    Weather:

    It’s looking like a great weekend on the weather side of things with temps in the 50’s. While Mother’s Day is looking cloudy, the warm temps will be nice for getting outside – maybe to watch a part of the Sugarloaf Marathon!

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:57   53   54   
    Low:35   36   38   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Wishing All The Moms Happy Mother’s Day!

    – Keegan

  • 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 (September 29, 2023)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Fall Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Maine Foliage Report:

    The Maine Foliage Report brought to you by MaineFoliage.com

    (AUGUSTA, Maine) – With the official arrival of autumn, Mainers and leaf peeping enthusiasts can look forward to the fall colors spreading throughout Maine. The third 2023 Fall Foliage Report from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) reports moderate color change (30-50 percent) throughout most of Maine with low to moderate leaf drop (less than 50 percent).

    This Week’s Foliage Outlook

    “Its anticipated that Maine will see warmer temperatures this upcoming week. But keep in mind, we are still in the midst of shorter, sunny days, followed by crisp, cool nights without a killing frost, which helps accelerate the beautiful foliage colors that makes fall in Maine so special!” said Gale Ross, fall foliage spokesperson.

    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:
    Xterra Trail Run World Championships @ SugarloafOctober 1October 1One Day
    Sugarloaf HomecomingOctober 6October 8Three Days
    Oktoberfest 2023 @ SaddlebackOctober 7October 7One Day
    Oktoberfest 5K @ SaddlebackOctober 7October 7One Day
    Pumpkin Decorating @ SugarloafOctober 7October 7One Day
    North American Wife Carrying Championship @ Sunday RiverOctober 7October 7One Day
    Balence Bike Race @ SugarloafOctober 7October 7One Day
    Sunday River Fall FestivalOctober 7October 8Two Days
    New England Corn Hole Championship @ Sunday RiverOctober 8October 8One Day
    Uphill Climb @ SugarloafOctober 8October 8One Day
    Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday RiverDecember 16December 17Two Days

    XTERRA Trail Run:

    Join Sugarloaf on Sep 30 – Oct 1 for the XTERRA Trail Run World Series. Sugarloaf Mountain has been chosen as the pinnacle event for the  XTERRA Trail Run World Series.  A weekend-long trail running festival that will see top elite and amateur runners compete for $10,000 in prize money and XTERRA championship crowns in both full and half marathon distances.  Live music, great food, and family entertainment will keep the energy high throughout the weekend, with 5K and 10K trail runs, and races for kids to ensure everybody can get involved. For more information and to sign up, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Big Projects For Big Squaw:

    Big Moose Mountain in Greenville, formally named Big Squaw, needs your help. The mountain has been hard at work reclaiming the upper mountain trails by bringing them back to skiable terrain. This is only made possible due to the support on GoFundMe. The mountain has raised about 30% of their goal of $60,000. If you’ve skied here before the upper mountain closed in 2004, you know it was a special experience. You can help bring this back by donating to the mountain’s GoFundMe. Click the link below to see the money raised and donate. Click here: link

    Crews are also working on replacing the existing lift’s communication line. This isn’t an easy task, especially with a small crew. Nevertheless, Big Moose Mountain pushes on.

    If those jobs aren’t enough, the trusty ol’ tarp only lasts for so long before talks emerge about what to do. The lodge for the upper mountain, which sits near the top unload of the current lift has a pool, which has the roof needing to be replaced. On Wednesday, the mountain posted to Facebook asking for ideas and within a day, they had the majority of the roofing material paid for thanks to generous donors. If you would like to support the mountain in its efforts to become a bigger and better ski area, click the link to support.

    gofundme.com

    Scenic Lift Rides:

    Scenic Lift Rides are now open at Sugarloaf and Sunday River! Take a ride up the Chondola at Sunday River or the SuperQuad at Sugarloaf. Click the respective links to learn more about catching the chair.

    The Chondola is dog, kid, and grandparent-friendly, so you’ll want to pack up your whole family for this scenic adventure. Lift rides are available from 10AM-4PM on Saturdays and Sundays from early July to mid-October. You can buy tickets online in advance, but will need to pick up your tickets upon arrival. You can also purchase tickets on-site at the various lodges and base areas. Lift tickets will be issued until 3:30PM or until capacity is reached. If you plan to ride the lift back to the bottom, please load before 4PM. For more information, visit the links below.

    sundayriver.com
    sugarloaf.com

    A Deal Worth Jumping On:

    Pleasant Mountain, formally Shawnee Peak, in Bridgton, is selling season passes now! With passes starting at $249, it’s a deal worth jumping on if you’re in the Portland area. Click the link to purchase your pass today! The next deadline is October 11.

    pleasantmountain.com

    Saddleback Oktoberfest:

    It’s that time again to start thinking about the fall. After waiting, for what seems like forever, we finally have warm weather. If you’re looking to cool down a little and think about the fall, Oktoberfest is right around the corner. Make sure to sign up so you won’t miss out on the festivities!

    Schedule of Events 
    • 10-11 a.m. – Oktoberfest 5K 
    • 11 a.m. – Festival gates open. TJ Swan performs on the deck. 
    • 12 p.m. – Pie eating contest on the deck. $10 entry. The winner gets a pie and a gift card to The Pub.
    • 1:30-3:30 – SKOSH performs on the deck. 
    • 3:30 – Stein Hoisting Championship! 10 men’s/women’s qualifiers will go head-to-head. This is always an Oktoberfest favorite – don’t miss it! Raise your stein and keep it raised! Thanks to our stein sponsor, Hight Auto!
    • 4-8 p.m. – Pub open 
    Happening All Day – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
    • Keg Toss & Stein Hoisting – these events will run all day. Qualify for the Stein Hosting Championship until 3 p.m.  
    • Craft Beer Sampling – DASCH SELTZERBAXTER BREWINGORONO BREWING and NEW BELGIUM BREWING will be pouring samples of their best fall beverages. 
    • Costume Contest. Dust off the lederhosen! The person in best-dressed Oktoberfest attire will win a 3-night stay for 9 people in Rangeley thanks to our friends at Morton & Furbish Vacation Rentals. Stay is for a future date in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024. 
    • Biggest BRAT Contest. Pile on the sauerkraut – we’re going to have a contest to see who can load up (and EAT) the heaviest brat! Add your toppings and weigh in. What’s the prize? Brattgin’ rights! 
    • Fall CLEARANCE SALE! Get serious savings on skis, boards, and winter apparel.  
    • Vendor Village – visit vendor booths near the festival entrance for sweet treats like apple crisp and local goods. 

    For more information and to get tickets, click the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Fall Activities:

    Check out the latest on the Summer Activities page on our website. This page gives access to all the incredible activities you can do in the mountains of Maine. From mountain biking, to hiking, swimming, and golfing, there is something for everyone. Check it out on the home page or by clicking the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Sugarloaf Homecoming:

    Welcome home, Sugarloafers

    Don’t miss Sugarloaf’s Homecoming Weekend. Happening October 6-8, this three day event is packed with loads of events both on and off the mountain. Check out the full rundown below.

    Friday, October 6
    TimeEvent NameLocationDetails
    9am-3pmSwig and Swing Golf TournamentSugarloaf Golf CourseRegistration is full.
    Saturday, October 7
    TimeEvent NameLocationDetails
    8am-2pmTailgate Ski Swap & SaleThe RackSell or trade your used skis, snowboards, gear, and apparel. Or Donate gently used winter clothing and winter sport equipment to support local schools. Learn more
    9am-12pmPumpkin DecoratingThe Alfond Competition CenterFor ages 12 & under. Online registration is now open. Sign up here. 
    9am-2pmScenic Lift RidesSuperQuadPurchase tickets here. 23/24 Season passholders ride for free with their pass present.
    9am-4pmCoat & Gear DriveNarrow GaugeDonate gently used winter clothing and winter sport equipment to support local schools. Learn More. 
    9am-5pmUpcountry ArtistsKing Pine RoomArt Show featuring some of Maine’s finest artists & craftsmen.
    9am-5pmSugarloaf Home ShowNarrow GaugeVarious vendors and info booths
    10am-5pmBar & GrillThe BeachServing food and beverages outside
    11am-2pmLive music by SeagrassThe BeachFree admission, all ages welcome
    1-4pmAxe ThrowingThe LandingSplittin’ Wood is setting up an axe throwing station. Free to ages 10 & up; first come, first serve. 
    2:30-5pmLive music by Aldous Collins BandThe BeachFree admission, all ages welcome
    2:30-3:30pmBalance Bike RacesMain StreetRegistration will open soon
    3-6pm Après MusicWidowmakerMusic by Robin Cottle
    6-7pmFilm Viewing PartyWidowmakerJoin us for a night of action packed short films created by Maine film maker, Josh Lawless. Experience mountain biking, powder skiing, stunning sunset jumps, epic backcountry adventures, and more. Free admission, all ages welcome
    Sunday, October 8
    TimeEvent NameLocationDetails
    9amSunday Indoor ServiceDick Bell ChapelLearn more here
    11amSunday Outdoor ServiceTop of SuperQuadJoin the Sugarloaf Ministry for the last outdoor service of the season. Weather permitting. Learn more
    9am-2pmScenic Lift RidesSuperQuadPurchase tickets here. 23/24 Season Passholders ride for free with their pass present
    9am-4pmUpcountry ArtistsKing Pine RoomArt Show featuring some of Maine’s finest artists & craftsmen.
    9am-4pmSugarloaf Home ShowNarrow GaugeVarious vendors and info booths
    9am-4pmCoat & Gear DriveNarrow GaugeDonate gently used winter clothing and winter sport equipment to support local schools. Learn More. 
    10am-2pmUphill Climb StartsSuperQuadRegistration for Maine’s toughest mountain run is now open. Sign up here. 
    10am-4pmBar & GrillThe BeachServing food and beverages outside
    12-3pmLive music by Sly RichardThe BeachLive music on the beach, free admission, all ages welcome
    12-3pmAxe ThrowingThe LandingSplittin’ Wood is setting up an axe throwing station. Free to ages 10 & up; first come, first serve. 
    1-3pmPiggy Bank PaintingDick Bell ChapelFree Piggy Bank Painting for all ages with Sugarloaf Christian Ministry

    For more information, click the link below!

    sugarloaf.com

    Saddleback Bike Park Open:

    The Saddleback Bike Park is back open! Let’s all do a little dance to stop the rain… I mean, it’s a suggestion. Anyway, the sun has come out once again, which allowed for the trails to dry up a bit and the crews to get back out and touch them up. The riding will be a little muddy still, but never-the-less fun!

    They will be spinning their South Branch Quad Thursday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:47 pm. (We know it’s a weird time). This is to maximize your time outside and ride the newest summer project for yourself. During the winter months, when the mountain is spinning all six of their lifts, closing at 3:40 pm isn’t that big of a deal – there are other ways to ski until 4:00 pm. With this, however, the lift is moving slightly slower to allow the use of foot traffic.

    The MTB crew is only getting started, and there are already plans to grow. In the meantime, check out their progress and purchase a pass to see for yourself by clicking the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.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: Bucksaw, Feller Buncher, Chipper, Hatchet, Whistle Punk, Beaver Tail, Knot Bumper, Gandy Dancer, Cutter, West Mtn. Crosscut, Twitcher, and Yarder. Although the difficulty ratings haven’t come out yet, I expect it to be around greens and blues with some blacks mixed in to keep things interesting.

    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 complete 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

    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:

    Fall colors are on the horizon for the mountains of Maine. Things will be getting good in the next couple of weeks. Still, plenty of colors out right now. Get out and check it out for yourself!

    Weather:

    These temps sure are looking like fall is here. Get excited by participating in something outdoors. We’re in long sleeve shirt season, keep that in mind when dressing for the day.

    Day:Friday:Saturday:Sunday:
    High:66 70 72
    Low:49 46 48
    Based out of Rangeley

    I’ve got my flannel on!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (September 15, 2023)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Maine Foliage Report:

    The Maine Foliage Report brought to you by MaineFoliage.com

    The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) fall foliage spokesperson Gale Ross has announced the start of foliage season throughout the state. The first 2023 Maine Fall Foliage Report, issued each Wednesday throughout the foliage season, reports very little color change throughout the state.

    “I like to remind folks that the color change depends on the weather as we advance into fall. We rely on the cooler temperatures and shorter days to enhance the progression of color”

    This Week’s Foliage Outlook

    “This summer, Maine received a considerable amount of rainfall which will enhance the fall colors, unlike the past two seasons when the state’s forests were impacted by summer drought. Minimal defoliation in certain tree species may impact color in some areas due to the wetter than normal summer, but it should not have a significant impact on our foliage season,” said Gale Ross, Maine’s fall foliage spokesperson.

    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:
    Brunch In The PubJuly 9September 24Every Sunday
    Northwoods Gravel Grind AfterpartySeptember 9September 9One Day
    Xterra Trail Run World Championships @ SugarloafOctober 1October 1One Day
    Sugarloaf HomecomingOctober 6October 8Three Days
    Oktoberfest 2023 @ SaddlebackOctober 7October 7One Day
    Sunday River Fall FestivalOctober 7October 8Two Days

    XTERRA Trail Run:

    Join Sugarloaf on Sep 30 – Oct 1 for the XTERRA Trail Run World Series. Sugarloaf Mountain has been chosen as the pinnacle event for the  XTERRA Trail Run World Series.  A weekend-long trail running festival that will see top elite and amateur runners compete for $10,000 in prize money and XTERRA championship crowns in both full and half marathon distances.  Live music, great food, and family entertainment will keep the energy high throughout the weekend, with 5K and 10K trail runs, and races for kids to ensure everybody can get involved. For more information and to sign up, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Big Squaw Mountain Still Needs Your Help:

    Big Squaw Mountain, now called Big Moose Mountain in Greenville, Maine needs your help. The mountain has been working hard to reclaim the upper mountain trails and bring them back to skiable trails. This is only made possible due to their support on GoFundMe. The mountain has raised about 30% of their goal of $60,000. If you’ve skied here before the upper mountain closed in 2004, you know it was a special experience. You can help bring this back by donating to the mountain’s GoFundMe. Click the link below to see the money raised and donate.

    gofundme.com

    Scenic Lift Rides:

    Scenic Lift Rides are now open at Sugarloaf and Sunday River! Take a ride up the Chondola at Sunday River or the SuperQuad at Sugarloaf. Click the respective links to learn more about catching the chair.

    The Chondola is dog, kid, and grandparent-friendly, so you’ll want to pack up your whole family for this scenic adventure. Lift rides are available from 10AM-4PM on Saturdays and Sundays from early July to mid-October. You can buy tickets online in advance, but will need to pick up your tickets upon arrival. You can also purchase tickets on-site at the various lodges and base areas. Lift tickets will be issued until 3:30PM or until capacity is reached. If you plan to ride the lift back to the bottom, please load before 4PM. For more information, visit the links below.

    sundayriver.com
    sugarloaf.com

    Oktoberfest 5k Signups:

    It’s that time again to start thinking about the fall. After waiting, for what seems like forever, we finally have warm weather. If you’re looking to cool down a little and think about the fall, the Saddleback 5k signups are now open.

    Registration & Timeline:
    • Registration Location: The registration area is located in front of the MAIN BASE LODGE. There is plenty of free parking.
    • Bib/T-shirt Packet pick-up will be on race day beginning at 8:30 am
    • The race begins at 10:00 AM.
    • Registration Fee $40
    • The requested T-shirt size cannot be guaranteed after September 20
    • The top 3 male/female finishers will receive prizes.
    • No dogs allowed
    • The lift will not spin for rides to the top during the 5k.  

    For more information and to sign up for the race, click the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Fall Activities:

    Check out the latest on the Summer Activities page on our website. This page gives access to all the incredible activities you can do in the mountains of Maine. From mountain biking, to hiking, swimming, and golfing, there is something for everyone. Check it out on the home page or by clicking the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Saddleback Bike Park Open:

    The Saddleback Bike Park is back open! Let’s all do a little dance to stop the rain… I mean, it’s a suggestion. Anyway, the sun has come out once again, which allowed for the trails to dry up a bit and the crews to get back out and touch them up. The riding will be a little muddy still, but never-the-less fun!

    They will be spinning their South Branch Quad Thursday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:47 pm. (We know it’s a weird time). This is to maximize your time outside and ride the newest summer project for yourself. During the winter months, when the mountain is spinning all six of their lifts, closing at 3:40 pm isn’t that big of a deal – there are other ways to ski until 4:00 pm. With this, however, the lift is moving slightly slower to allow the use of foot traffic.

    The MTB crew is only getting started, and there are already plans to grow. In the meantime, check out their progress and purchase a pass to see for yourself by clicking the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.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: Bucksaw, Feller Buncher, Chipper, Hatchet, Whistle Punk, Beaver Tail, Knot Bumper, Gandy Dancer, Cutter, West Mtn. Crosscut, Twitcher, and Yarder. Although the difficulty ratings haven’t come out yet, I expect it to be around greens and blues with some blacks mixed in to keep things interesting.

    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 complete 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

    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 all the rain we’ve gotten recently, please make sure to drive carefully when coming up to the Rangeley area. Some roads are flooded or washed out entirely in parts of Rangeley, Oquossoc, Bryan, Farmington, Farmington Falls, Jay, Wilton, and more. Drive safe, Mainely Skiers!

    Weather:

    Tropical Storm Warning! Most of Eastern, Central, and Southern Maine are in the Tropical Storm Warning. Remember to take the necessary precautions to prepare and plan for the storm.

    Other than Saturday being the day of the storm, the other days look good for some time outside. It’s time to get out because Life is Better Outside!

    Day:Friday:Saturday:Sunday:
    High:64 57 70
    Low:53 49 51
    Based out of Rangeley

    Stay safe, everyone!

    – Keegan