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 @ Sugarloaf | October 1 | October 1 | One Day |
| Sugarloaf Homecoming | October 6 | October 8 | Three Days |
| Oktoberfest 2023 @ Saddleback | October 7 | October 7 | One Day |
| Oktoberfest 5K @ Saddleback | October 7 | October 7 | One Day |
| Pumpkin Decorating @ Sugarloaf | October 7 | October 7 | One Day |
| North American Wife Carrying Championship @ Sunday River | October 7 | October 7 | One Day |
| Balence Bike Race @ Sugarloaf | October 7 | October 7 | One Day |
| Sunday River Fall Festival | October 7 | October 8 | Two Days |
| New England Corn Hole Championship @ Sunday River | October 8 | October 8 | One Day |
| Uphill Climb @ Sugarloaf | October 8 | October 8 | One Day |
| Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday River | December 16 | December 17 | Two 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 SELTZER, BAXTER BREWING, ORONO 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.
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.
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
| Time | Event Name | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9am-3pm | Swig and Swing Golf Tournament | Sugarloaf Golf Course | Registration is full. |
Saturday, October 7
| Time | Event Name | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8am-2pm | Tailgate Ski Swap & Sale | The Rack | Sell 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-12pm | Pumpkin Decorating | The Alfond Competition Center | For ages 12 & under. Online registration is now open. Sign up here. |
| 9am-2pm | Scenic Lift Rides | SuperQuad | Purchase tickets here. 23/24 Season passholders ride for free with their pass present. |
| 9am-4pm | Coat & Gear Drive | Narrow Gauge | Donate gently used winter clothing and winter sport equipment to support local schools. Learn More. |
| 9am-5pm | Upcountry Artists | King Pine Room | Art Show featuring some of Maine’s finest artists & craftsmen. |
| 9am-5pm | Sugarloaf Home Show | Narrow Gauge | Various vendors and info booths |
| 10am-5pm | Bar & Grill | The Beach | Serving food and beverages outside |
| 11am-2pm | Live music by Seagrass | The Beach | Free admission, all ages welcome |
| 1-4pm | Axe Throwing | The Landing | Splittin’ Wood is setting up an axe throwing station. Free to ages 10 & up; first come, first serve. |
| 2:30-5pm | Live music by Aldous Collins Band | The Beach | Free admission, all ages welcome |
| 2:30-3:30pm | Balance Bike Races | Main Street | Registration will open soon |
| 3-6pm | Après Music | Widowmaker | Music by Robin Cottle |
| 6-7pm | Film Viewing Party | Widowmaker | Join 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
| Time | Event Name | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9am | Sunday Indoor Service | Dick Bell Chapel | Learn more here. |
| 11am | Sunday Outdoor Service | Top of SuperQuad | Join the Sugarloaf Ministry for the last outdoor service of the season. Weather permitting. Learn more. |
| 9am-2pm | Scenic Lift Rides | SuperQuad | Purchase tickets here. 23/24 Season Passholders ride for free with their pass present |
| 9am-4pm | Upcountry Artists | King Pine Room | Art Show featuring some of Maine’s finest artists & craftsmen. |
| 9am-4pm | Sugarloaf Home Show | Narrow Gauge | Various vendors and info booths |
| 9am-4pm | Coat & Gear Drive | Narrow Gauge | Donate gently used winter clothing and winter sport equipment to support local schools. Learn More. |
| 10am-2pm | Uphill Climb Starts | SuperQuad | Registration for Maine’s toughest mountain run is now open. Sign up here. |
| 10am-4pm | Bar & Grill | The Beach | Serving food and beverages outside |
| 12-3pm | Live music by Sly Richard | The Beach | Live music on the beach, free admission, all ages welcome |
| 12-3pm | Axe Throwing | The Landing | Splittin’ Wood is setting up an axe throwing station. Free to ages 10 & up; first come, first serve. |
| 1-3pm | Piggy Bank Painting | Dick Bell Chapel | Free Piggy Bank Painting for all ages with Sugarloaf Christian Ministry |
For more information, click the link below!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
I’ve got my flannel on!
– Keegan
