Tag: Maine Ski

  • 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 (April 26, 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%
    Sugarloaf108 / 17661%
    Sunday River
    *Reopening Tomorrow*
    *Closing Sunday*
    0 / 1390%
    Pleasant Mountain0 / 470%

    Trail of the Day: Skidder (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:
    Live Music on The Beach @ SugarloafApril 27April 27One Day
    LVPC Duck Derby @ Lost ValleyApril 27April 27One Day
    Sunday River Closing Day + Free Ski DayApril 28April 28One Day
    Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and Pleasant Mountain Season Pass Prices IncraseApril 30April 30One Day
    Sugarloaf Marathon & 15KMay 12May 12One Day
    Sunday River Scenic Lift Rides OpenJune 27October 13Every Day

    Closing Weekend at Sunday River:

    On Sunday, April 28, Sunday River will send the final chair of the season up the Jordan 8 lift at 3:50 p.m. Also, on Sunday, they are having a free ski day, so you don’t need to purchase a ticket to ski on the last day. Learn more below.

    sundayriver.com

    LVCP Duck Derby:

    The LVRC Duck Derby presented by Nason Mechanical happening April 27th at Lost Valley. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 5 fastest ducks, and the prizes are determined by the number of ducks sold! Additionally, the Lost Valley Brewpub will be open from Noon to 4 PM, serving up some great fare and awesome beer. A portion of the food sales will be donated to LVRC as well as duck sales.

    Event Schedule:
    • 12 PM to 4 PM Restaurant Brewpub open.
    • 1 PM Last chance to enter a Duck in the race
    • 2 PM Race Start!
    • 3 PM Winners announced!

    Purchase your duck for $12 online here: https://my-site-105371.square.site/ You do not have to be present to win, but you will miss the excitement!

    facebook.com/lostvalley

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    Live Music on The Beach:

    Sugarloaf will be hosting live music on The Beach on Saturday, April 27. Catch live music at The Beach by The High Mountain Rangers from 12pm-3pm. Learn more below:

    sugarloaf.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

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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

    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

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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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    Last Chair:

    With another great week of spring skiing behind us, it’s time to start looking towards the weekend. While we saw some lower-than-normal temps around Wednesday and Thursday, it was good nonetheless.

    Weather:

    We’re ready for another great weekend of skiing at Sugarloaf and Sunday River. After taking a look ahead, I’m glad to see the rain predicted on Sunday has a low probability – fingers crossed! 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:50   58   61   
    Low:27   38   43   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Thanks for a great season, Sunday River!

    – 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

    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

    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

    Advertisements

    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 16, 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
    Saddleback54 / 6879%
    Sugarloaf97 / 17656%
    Sunday River98 / 13971%
    Pleasant Mountain29 / 4762%

    Trail of the Day: Red Devil (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:
    Free Ski Night @ Black Mountain of MaineJanuary 10March 20Every Wednesday
    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 opened today. Get to the west side for all the new trails. 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 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

    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

    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

    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 the opening of Bucksaw Express, we’re looking good rolling into the weekend. Sadly, we watched some rain cause some problems early in the week, but the cold temps allowed groomers to get out and till up the ice, turning it into perfect corduroy.

    Weather:

    The temps are looking more like winter as we kick off February vacation. Don’t let the cloudy skies wreck your fun, bring the low-light goggles and some layers for warmth. 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:20  23   23  
    Low:13   4     13  
    Based out of Rangeley

    Pack your low-light goggles.

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (November 24, 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 River13 / 1399%
    Pleasant Mountain0 / 470%

    Trail of the Day: Kings Landing (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:
    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:

    Last week, both Sunday River and Sugarloaf sent the first chair of the 2023-24 ski season up the hill. 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

    Three More Resorts Start Snowmaking:

    On Monday night, snowmaking crews from Pleasant Mountain, Lost Valley, and Black Mountain of Maine all fired up their equipment. While the snow we got on Wednesday will help build bases, we hope it’s just the start of “Snowvember”. Bring it on, Mother Nature. For the most current report on your local resorts, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

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    Downeast Ski Club Ski Sale & Winter Expo:

    The Downeast Ski Club Ski Sale is happening this Saturday from 8:00am – 3:00pm at the Portland Expo in Portland Maine. Admission is free, and thousands of items are up for sale. You’re bound to find great deals all day! For more information, click the link below.

    downeastskiclub.com

    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
    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

    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 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

    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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    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

    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 of the lift construction. See more by clicking the links below.

    sundayriver.com

    Facebook Post

    Photo: Barker 6
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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:

    This past week, we were welcomed by the first big storm of the season. Dropping 7-10 inches across the resorts. Keep doing those snow dances!

    Weather:

    We’re back into snowmaking temps which means the mighty snowmakers headed back to the hill. The good thing is that these temps should allow Saddleback to stick with their opening day, Dec 2. The bad is that we’ll be skiing under snowmaking clouds. These lows should bring some amazing expansions. Keep tabs on the lift status page for more info.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:29 28 37
    Low:8 19 27
    Based out of Rangeley

    Thank a snowmaker!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (November 3, 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!

    We Have Snow:

    The Maine mountains have snow! This is the first time we’ve seen new snowfall since mid-April. Not like I’ve been counting or anything… Bring it on, Mother Nature! We’re ready.

    mainelyskiing.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! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Freeport Ski Boosters Ski Swap & SaleNovember 4November 4One Day
    Maine Ski And Snowboard Hall of Fame InductionNovember 4November 4One Day
    Daylight Savings Ends (Fall Back)November 5November 5One Day
    Sugarloaf Opening DayNovember 17November 17One Day
    Live Auction @ Big Moose MountainNovember 18November 18One Day
    Bridal Show & Tasting @ SugarloafNovember 19November 19One Day
    Thanksgiving Dinner @ Sunday RiverNovember 23November 23One Day
    Saddleback Pub OpensNovember 24November 24One 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

    Maine Hall of Fame:

    The 2023 Maine Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Induction is happening this Saturday, November 4, at Sugarloaf. Join the Maine skiing community as we honor the newest Hall of Fame inductees: Harry and Martha Baxter, Don, Norton, and Stuart Cross, Paul Emerson, Mike Gammon, Ron Gifford, Ron Jacques, Bruce Johnson, Frank Langlois, and Jeff Rosenberg.

    Black Mountain Guide:

    Check out one of the newest pages on the website, Black Mountain Guide. With all the relevant information needed for a great day at Black Mountain, it’s worth the time to check it out!

    mainelyskiing.com

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    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.

    Mountain NameOpening Date
    Saddleback MountainDecember 2
    SugarloafNovember 17
    Sunday RiverNovember 16
    Pleasant MountainDecember 16
    Black Mountain of MaineDecember 26
    Big RockNot Announced
    Camden Snow BowlDecember 26
    Mt. AbramNot Announced
    Big Moose MountainDecember 26
    Lost ValleyDecember 18
    Hermon MountainDecember 30
    Titcomb MountainNot Announced

    Freeport Ski Swap & Sale:

    Join the Freeport Ski Boosters Club at Freeport High School from 9am to 1pm on Saturday, November 4, for their annual Ski Swap & Sale. Plus, don’t forget to stop by the Black Mountain of Maine table for the chance to win season passes for a family of 4! For more information, click the link below.

    freeportskiswap.com

    Big Projects For Big Moose:

    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

    The Friends of the Mountain, the non-profit group that owns Big Moose, is under an agreement to bring a Mombardier 13 Passenger Snow Cat from Colorado to Maine. Currently, they are offering partnership and pre-buy options for your trip to the summit. You can purchase below.

    skibigsquaw.com

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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

    $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

    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$20511/4

    Sugarloaf Debuts New Trail Map:

    Sugarloaf recently updated their trail map to show the new Bucksaw area. The map has a few changes compared to the previous one, which was their map for over two years. See for yourself here: sugarloaf.com Also, if you want to be in the know, head over to the Sugarloaf Mountain Guide – linked below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Advertisements

    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 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

    Photo: Merrill Hill II Construction
    Advertisements

    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:

    This week showed us what Mother Nature can do around Old Man Winter. The mountains of Maine saw snow early this week. Plus, with Sunday River making snow, it’s only a matter of time before we’ll be back on the skis. Keep those snow dances going, Mainely Skiers!

    Weather:

    While today’s temps aren’t the best for snowmaking, the lows for Saturday and Sunday are promising.

    Day:Friday:Saturday:Sunday:
    High:44 44 43
    Low:36 33 26
    Based out of Rangeley

    Bring on winter!

    – Keegan